121: If It's Broke, Fix It with Dustin Myers

In this second half of Ryan’s conversation with Dustin Myers of John A. Logan College and HETMA, the discussion dives into the balance of professional commitments, personal life, and community involvement in higher education technology. Dustin shares how his early InfoComm experiences transformed from solitary tech browsing to full-blown community immersion, illustrating the power of connection and professional development through HETMA. The two talk candidly about managing travel, family, and campus responsibilities while still staying deeply engaged in national conversations.

The episode also takes a lighter turn, exploring Dustin’s improv and forensics background, his love of burgers, and even the idea of a Kevin James biopic about the realities of IT support. From AV karaoke to spider-infested computers, it’s a conversation that blends humor with genuine insights into leadership, adaptability, and finding joy in the work. Dustin’s reflections highlight the improvisational nature of technology management and the importance of building trust, community, and balance along the way.

Topics Discussed

• Dustin’s evolution from attending InfoComm as a spectator to being fully engaged through HETMA
• Balancing institutional responsibilities with national professional development opportunities
• The role of pre-planning and prioritization in making travel and commitments sustainable
• How personality traits like extroversion and people-focus shape community contributions
• Dustin’s improv and forensics background, and how it connects to leadership and tech support
• Humor, adaptability, and the importance of “yes, and” in technology management
• The idea of a Kevin James–style IT support movie and real-life funny stories from the field
• Food talk: burgers, Cubans, and the philosophy of whether a hot dog is a taco
• The role of family in professional identity and why AV/IT conversations often skip it
• How to connect with Dustin via email, LinkedIn, and the HETMA Community

Connect with Dustin:
Email – [e-mail]
LinkedIn – Dustin Myers
HETMA Community – community.hetma.org

Connect with Ryan:
Twitter – @Ryan_A_Gray
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/
Email – [e-mail]

This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Please visit HigherEdAV.com to see more!

Voiceover Credit: Chris Dechter

Have feedback or ideas for the show? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you.