Meet Team ARCMTS
Today, we invite you to meet the brilliant minds and dedicated professionals who make the AgriLife Research Center for Managed Technology Services the edge of innovation in agriculture and life sciences. Our team’s mission is clear: to offer researchers proactive IT management of services essential to harness the power of computational technology across all areas of research. These are the professional experts who ensure that technology becomes a competitive advantage, in the pursuit of knowledge, leading to groundbreaking research that impacts the agricultural world.
Tim Ramsey
Timothy Ramsey is the founding Director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center for Managed Technology Services (ARCMTS), established in April 2021. Under his leadership, ARCMTS offers cost-recovery, managed technology services to support researchers across the Texas A&M University System. The center provides scalable human capital, cybersecurity, and IT service management solutions tailored to the needs of research enterprises, helping bridge the gap between researchers and the complex technologies they rely on.
In addition to directing ARCMTS, Tim also serves as the Director of Information Technology for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University. In this role, he aligns technology strategies across research, teaching, and service missions and chairs the College’s Technology Leadership Council. He provides executive leadership for infrastructure, digital strategy, classroom technologies, and research IT operations.
Tim brings more than 25 years of experience in Information Technology, spanning both the private sector and higher education. Before launching ARCMTS, he served as Associate Director of IT for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where he led a major reorganization of IT operations in 2019. His professional background includes managing global engineering teams, leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives, and helping organizations turn IT into a strategic asset. He is deeply committed to workforce development and currently leads an interdisciplinary internship program through ARCMTS that prepares students for high-impact careers in research technology.
He is also a Ph.D. student in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications at Texas A&M University. His research focuses on the intersection of managed technology services, leadership development, and research capacity building in higher education.
Tim holds a Bachelor of Science in Technology Management from Texas A&M University and an Associate of Science in Business, Computer Science, and Criminal Justice from Blinn College. He also holds professional certifications as a Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) from Rutgers University, a Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute, a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) from ISACA, and credentials in ITIL version 4 and Business Relationship Management Professional (BRMP) standards.
Angel Salinas
Angel Salinas serves as the Business Development Manager at ARCMTS Services. In this capacity, he assumes responsibility for cultivating strategic partnerships and fostering strong relationships with all stakeholders to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of managed IT services across AgriLife Research.
With 15 years of extensive experience in business operations management spanning the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and eCommerce sectors, Angel brings a wealth of expertise to his role. His professional journey encompasses various leadership positions, including retail management, outside sales, Director of Sales, and Business Operations Manager.
His expertise is further strengthened by certifications in Business Relationship Management (BRMP) and ITIL v4, highlighting his skills in boosting organizational efficiency and IT service management.
Angel holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Tarleton State University. Currently, he is pursuing his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Cybersecurity at Baylor University, further solidifying his commitment to professional development and specialization in safeguarding digital assets.
Simone Hutchins Lewer
Simone Hutchins Lewer is the Business Relationship Manager for ARCMTS. In this role, she manages strategic partnerships and fosters engagement between stakeholders and ARCMTS, ensuring the effective implementation and execution of managed IT services across AgriLife Research.
Simone brings a diverse background from both the private and public sectors, with experience in sales, recruitment, project management, and high-level administrative security roles within Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) software. Throughout her career, she has consistently focused on building and maintaining positive business relationships while ensuring that quality standards are met and projects are delivered on time.
She is passionate about advancing information technology and research, with a focus on how workplace efficiency drives organizational success. Simone is committed to improving workflows and IT systems to boost productivity, believing that greater efficiency leads to better business results and higher employee satisfaction. She also prioritizes aligning IT initiatives with stakeholder needs to ensure mutual success and satisfaction.
Simone holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas, and an Associate of Arts from Lone Star College – Montgomery, Texas. Her professional certifications include Business Relationship Management (BRMP) and Information Technology Infrastructure Library 4 (ITIL 4).
Dayla Hall
Dayla Hall brings extensive experience and expertise to her role as IT Business
Operations Manager for AgriLife IT’s ARCMTS. Prior to this position, she served
as the Executive Assistant to the Director of AgriLife Extension Service and as
a paralegal at the Office of General Counsel for the Texas A&M University
System, contributing nearly five years of dedicated service.
Dayla’s academic achievements include a Masters in Management from Tarleton State University (GPA 4.0), a Bachelors in Business Administration from Tarleton State University (Magna Cum Laude), and an Associate degree in Legal Studies from Blinn College. She is also a 2024 graduate of the Grow AgriLife leadership program and has enriched the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as an instructor for AGLS 125.
In her current role, Dayla oversees business files and accounts for the AgriLife Research Center for Managed Technology Services (ARCMTS), ensuring streamlined operations and strategic support for ARCMTS’ vital initiatives.
Outside of work, Dayla enjoys spending time with her two boys and cheering for the Houston Astros. A passionate outdoors enthusiast, she loves deer hunting and embracing Texas traditions, creating cherished memories with her family.
Barry Stratta
Barry Stratta is an accomplished Information Technology (IT) Manager IV, responsible for the deployment and management of multiple large-scale and complex IT projects, aligned with enterprise-level strategic initiatives.
With over thirty years of IT experience, Barry is a dynamic, strategic thinker with a proven ability to develop and implement cutting-edge technology solutions. His expertise spans across various business functions, including project management, resource allocation, and process optimization.
Approaching fifteen years with the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), Barry has demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the complexities inherent to Higher Education and Research Projects. His track record of success includes consistently delivering innovative solutions for TAMUS Headquarters, Texas A&M University, and Texas A&M AgriLife Research.
Barry’s qualifications include a Business Relationship Management Professional (BRMP) certification, further underscoring his commitment to driving value and fostering collaboration within the IT domain.
Krista DeVries
Krista DeVries is the IT Manager I for Research Workstations, Instruments, and Data Environments (WIDE) at Texas A&M AgriLife Research. In this role, she leads specialized technical operations and manages targeted IT projects that support research laboratory workstations, instrumentation systems, and data environments. She is responsible for the proactive management, security, and optimization of research computing resources, ensuring IT services are delivered effectively and aligned with organizational goals and research priorities
With over a decade of experience in IT support, systems administration, network management, and data analysis, Krista has developed a strong foundation in both technical expertise and project coordination. She has successfully led efforts in technology integration, infrastructure support, and research-focused IT service delivery. In her leadership role, Krista supervises technical staff, fosters a collaborative service culture, and drives continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational reliability and user satisfaction
Previously, Krista served as a Sr. IT Professional II at Texas A&M University, where she collaborated with academic departments to assess technology needs, develop integration plans, and implement data-driven solutions. Her earlier experience includes roles as Network/Systems Specialist, Systems Administrator, and IT Professional II, where she managed infrastructure projects, enforced security best practices, and supported diverse technical environments
Krista holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science with a Minor in Military Science from Troy University and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Management Information Systems at Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School. She has also earned a Data Management Certificate and a Technical Development Management Certificate, further enhancing her skills in IT service leadership and project management
Her professional expertise includes project and operations management, research data compliance, stakeholder engagement, system security, and cross-functional collaboration. Krista is dedicated to continuous improvement and professional growth, ensuring that IT services consistently support research excellence and organizational success
Alex Kelley
Alex Kelley is a software application developer on the ARCMTS services team. He engages with researchers on a wide range of projects to identify technological gaps in current processes, designs and develops solutions that are both effective and efficient. He is passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems and has a strong track record of success in developing and delivering high-quality solutions. He is also a skilled communicator and collaborator; he is able to work effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
He completed his undergraduate studies in Technology Management at Texas A&M University in 2014 and has worked within the Texas A&M University system since 2017.
Jacob Jackson
Jacob Jackson is a Web Applications Developer at ARCMTS with 4 years of experience in website and web application development. He specializes in CMS management, HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, project management, documentation, and .Net/MVC technologies. With his help, ARCMTS offers DevOps support, website presence solutions, and online web application development.
Jacob holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Texas A&M University with Minors in Art and Game Development. His former education has equipped him with web design and full-stack coding skills, with a large emphasis on user experience and project design and maintenance.
He has helped many clients turn IT into a competitive advantage and has prioritized the development and success of people and organizations using current online technologies for websites and online software development.
Gene Curtiss
Gene Curtiss is an accomplished IT professional with extensive experience in managing platforms and infrastructure. As the IT Manager at Texas A&M AgriLife IT, he oversees critical systems and ensures seamless operations for the organization. Gene holds an MCSA certification for Windows Server and an RHCSA certification for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, demonstrating his expertise in both Microsoft and open-source environments.
Originally from Michigan, Gene relocated to Texas in 2007 and has been an integral part of the AgriLife IT team since 2009. His passion for technology, problem-solving skills, and commitment to excellence make him a valuable asset to the organization.
Mike Alani
Mike Alani, is a remarkable professional with a strong academic foundation in mathematics, graduating as a math major. Mike started on his career journey in 2010 with AgriLife, where he delved into the intricate world of networks and cybersecurity. Over the course of 25 years of experience, Mike has gained his expertise and earned a multitude of certifications, including Cisco CCNA, CCNA Security, CCIP, CCNP, CCIE written, CEHV11, Palo Alto PCNSA, and ACE, training in Red Hat, Azure networking and PMP. His passion for networking led him to pursue extensive self-study and continuous learning.
In his current role as Network and Communication Manager at AgriLife, Mike oversees and design a vast of 35 network locations, county offices, ARCMTS, and part of the TVMDL and COALS environment. Alongside his dedicated team, he manages VOIP services for all of AgriLife, orchestrates seamless communication in Conference Rooms, and ensures impactful Digital Signage. One of his notable achievements includes designing the ARCMTS network in Microsoft Azure cloud, protected with Palo Alto firewall, and implementing high-security measures to shield against millions of cyber threats.
Mike’s professional journey is marked by his technical leadership, sharp cybersecurity capabilities, and adept facilitation of complex projects. His enduring passion for the field and relentless pursuit of knowledge have established him as an indispensable asset to the AgriLife community.
Justin Maynard
Justin Maynard is a Systems Administrator III on the Platforms and Infrastructure Team. He is responsible for managing and maintaining critical infrastructure within and around AgriLife. Justin holds multiple industry certifications, including CSIS and CCAP, and excels in delivering both cloud and local infrastructure solutions.
Justin previously worked for a medium-sized company where he was the sole IT professional. He joined AgriLife in 2021 and is currently pursuing further education in Cloud Computing, with plans to graduate in 2025.
Justins professional certifications include A+, Network+ (N+), Security+ (S+), Cloud+, Project+, Linux Essentials (LE-1), Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) and ITIL 4 Foundations (ITIL4 F). Justin is continuing his education and plans to obtain more industry-recognized certifications.
Debashish Kar
Debashish Kar is a Full Stack Developer at ARCMTS, with over 4 years of experience in front-end UI development. Specializing in creating responsive and engaging web applications, Debashish excels in technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, React JS, and Angular. His expertise extends to optimizing performance and enhancing user experience, demonstrated through significant contributions to various projects.
Holding a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, his academic foundation includes data analysis, machine learning, and cloud computing, which complement his practical skills. Recognized for his innovative solutions to technological gaps and his work published in the Domestic Preparedness Journal, Debashish is known for his ability to deliver high-quality solutions.
His career reflects a commitment to leveraging technology to address real-world challenges, showcasing his skills as both a developer and a collaborator across technical and non-technical audiences.