Erik Fernandez

Since joining Community IT Innovators in 2015, Erik Fernandez has been supporting client organizations as a Network Administrator and On-Site Support Team Manager, and now is an IT Business Manager.

The Community IT ITBM service provides an outsourced IT manager to clients at a reduced cost to hiring and having an IT manager on staff. These managers are a resource dedicated to matching technology solutions to clients’ business needs. To do this well requires an ongoing conversation with the client to continually understand their business needs, and then effective communication with client staff and leadership about the ways specific technology solutions can meet those business needs and how to budget for technology.

The ITBM makes recommendations on IT investments, training programs, maintenance, and licenses. They help the client be forward-looking, and act as a vendor-agnostic, trusted advisor with deep knowledge of the nonprofit IT software and platforms available. Because Community IT works in partnership with clients to manage long-term IT needs, the ITBM relationship with the client makes them a true asset.

Erik previously worked in his country of origin, Costa Rica, for McKinsey and Company, as the team leader of the IT Services Coordination department, and in other American companies such as HP, IBM and Tech Data.

After moving to the United States, he completed the Computer Support Specialist program at the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School and his master’s degree in Information Technology at the University Of Maryland University College. Erik also graduated from Universidad Latina de Costa Rica with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and he has also achieved the CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist, Apple Certified Associate certification, and ITIL 4 Foundations.

Erik enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering as an elections worker and mentoring students looking to enter the information technology field. Erik lives in Washington DC, where he likes to spend his free time with his partner, enjoying his hobbies: arts, technology, amateur photography and discovering new places to eat or visit in the DMV area.