[May 20, 2013] Monday Q&A: Modesto tech expert discusses job market Tweet MODESTO, May 20, 2013 (The Modesto Bee - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Data Path's co-founder David Darmstandler contends that Stanislaus County would benefit if more high-tech firms could be attracted here and helped to expand. Darmstandler and his partner, James Bates, grew up in Modesto, and this is where they launched their Data Path consulting firm in 2005. The company has grown to 25 employees, who now provide information technological services to about 300 businesses, school districts and government agencies. Data Path recently spruced up its McHenry Avenue headquarters to create what Darmstandler calls "a Google-feeling tech office." He hopes that will help his firm attract more top-notch employees so it can continue to expand. Darmstandler's views on the benefits of helping technology firms grow here are explored in this question-and-answer interview: Q: Why is it important for technology-oriented companies to be located in Stanislaus County A: From a purely economic standpoint, technology companies can bring good-paying, skilled jobs to the valley. They can attract skilled workers from other regions to move to Stanislaus County, live here, keep their money here and contribute to the community. We can also allow skilled individuals who are driving to the Bay Area daily an opportunity to work in the community they already live in. Technology companies push the envelope and are constantly trying to solve problems and remain innovative. This type of mind-set helps inspire other companies, individuals and even community organizations to do the same. Lastly, good technology companies get national press for what they're working on, which would help put this area on the map for some positive things. Q: What can Stanislaus governments do to attract more high-tech firms A: I think the best thing the government can do is embrace technology and make technology companies feel welcome. I've seen other cities and counties actually reserve booths and take part in technical conferences to recruit new good companies to their area. I've also visited other regions that do a number of things to make technology companies feel welcome, including building technology parks and even tax breaks. Regardless of the incentives, the best thing our area can do is make a growing technology company know they will not be slowed down by government as their company continues to expand. Q: What kind of tech companies would be best suited to this region A: IT consulting firms, co-location and cloud services, software companies, and technology companies focused in agriculture Q: Are there enough tech-savvy workers living here now to meet the existing demand A: Not from our experience with filling open positions. We find it difficult to find the specialists we need and often have to recruit from surrounding areas. Q: Do tech-oriented jobs in this region pay enough to attract workers who currently commute to or live in the Bay Area A: Bay Area companies generally pay more depending on the position. Although, when you factor in what workers save by not having to commute, the compensation is often extremely competitive. Not to mention the amount of their life they get back by not having to be gone for 12 to 14 hours a day to drive back and forth to the Bay Area for work. Q: Besides pay, what can local tech firms do to make their company culture more appealing to high-skill employees A: Technology is a high-stress industry, which needs to be offset with fun, flexibility and lots of laughing. We've remodeled our office to make you feel like you just stepped into a cool Bay Area technology company with crazy colors on the walls, in the art and on the carpet. In our office, we have putting greens, basketball hoops, pingpong, a grass room for chipping, company lunches and outings, and lots of coffee. We try to remain flexible as a team when people need time off, and we also keep a family-first focus. If something important with your family is going on, you better leave work and be there. In short, we try to maintain the best balance of give and take. Q: What advice do you have for those who want to work in a technology-oriented field A: The most attractive thing to us as an employer is to show you're passionate about technology and don't just like to talk about it. We like to see individuals that have taken an initiative to set up their own labs, learn on their own or just work hard to get their hands on whatever technology they can. Obtaining tough technical certifications also shows the type of initiative we're looking for, and these certifications can be Cisco certifications, VMware, Microsoft and more. These types of things show us that someone really loves technology and is always going to be hungry to learn more. Q: If there was one curriculum change you could make in local schools to better prepare students for high-tech careers, what would it be A: More exposure to relevant technology is the greatest need when we're interacting with recent graduates from vocation schools and colleges. In the schools that we've seen produce the best-qualified candidates, they have teachers with real-life experience in the industry, and students are exposed to lab environments with up-to-date technology. I think this same concept of getting hands-on experience with technology could be relevant to high school students and earlier grades as well. The earlier students get a chance to work with, troubleshoot and grow with technology, the more likely they are to pursue it as a career. High schools, vocation schools and colleges can benefit in shaping their curriculum by partnering with local companies. Q: What other advice would you like to share A: Regardless whether it's technology or another industry, I would love to see Modesto become a hub for helping to incubate and grow new companies and entrepreneurs. Bee staff writer J.N. Sbranti can be reached at [email protected] or (209) 578-2196. ___ (c)2013 The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.) 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