We are LaunchIT

Hiram Houghton is a seasoned professional with a talent for blending curiosity and leadership. As the President and owner of a LaunchIT, Hiram’s wide-reaching knowledge and knack for building teams have been the cornerstones of his accomplishments. Surrounding himself with remarkable people is one of his proudest achievements, alongside his role as a Board Member of Blank Park Zoo. Whether flying around the globe in a jaw-dropping 10-day Eastward adventure or braving Colorado’s wilderness on a snowy December camping trip, Hiram's life is anything but ordinary.

Hiram cherishes time with his family and loves sharing dinner dates with his wife or cheering on his kids at their activities. A lifelong learner and storyteller, he enjoys getting lost in a good book or film. Outdoorsy at heart, you’ll find him skiing down powdery slopes, hiking scenic trails, casting a fishing line, paddling a kayak, or exploring new destinations around the globe.

Hiram grounds his adventurous mindset with inspiring words to live by, like, “Trust what you know, not what you fear,” and, “The world is but a playground and I am merely a curious child upon it.” These values of trust and wonder guide him in work, play, and every pursuit in between.

If Hiram were a candy, he’d be a Snickers bar. Just like the iconic treat, he’s packed with energy, rich in character, and full of substance, all with a touch of sweetness to brighten anyone's day. Whether leading his business with purpose or carving out moments with family and friends, Hiram brings thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and a sense of play to everything he does.

Minnesota may be where Ben Jensen’s story begins, but Iowa is where he hit his stride—in more ways than one. After moving to Iowa to play college baseball at Grand View University, he didn’t just catch fly balls; he caught the love of his life, Micala. Together, they decided to make Iowa home base, and Ben has been making an impact both personally and professionally ever since.

As the Business Development Manager at LaunchIT MSP, Ben thrives on turning challenges into opportunities. With a knack for clear communication and a collaborative spirit, he builds bridges between teams, clients, and ideas. Ben’s approach combines strategic thinking and a genuine care for relationships, making him a driving force behind LaunchIT’s success. Known for his  resourcefulness, he inspires big thinking while ensuring even bigger follow-through.

When the workday wraps, Ben swaps his business hat for his family hat. Whether it’s hanging out with his wife Micala, daughter Aurora, and son Bailey, or coaching baseball around the Des Moines metro, Ben knows how to make the most of his time off the clock. He’s also an avid golfer, very active in his church, and a dedicated foodie who’s always scouting out the next great restaurant in town or a tried-and-true favorite.

If Ben were a candy, there’s no question he’d be a Snickers. Why? Because he’s dependable, satisfying, and always ready to deliver when it counts. With Ben on your team, you know you'll get someone who’s bringing their best every time.

Nicole Thompson is a dynamic chief idea wrangler with 13 years of expertise in marketing, branding, and event planning. From traveling coast to coast to bring events to life to collaborating with top-notch marketing teams to drive sales success, Nicole has built a career on results, creativity, and adaptability. Always ahead of the curve, she stays in tune with the latest marketing trends to ensure her strategies hit the mark.

Outside the office, Nicole’s life is just as busy. Whether she’s lost in the pages of a book, tending to her garden, or hitting the pavement for a run, she finds joy in life’s simple pleasures. You’ll often find her cheering at her kids’ activities, rocking out at concerts, or exploring new destinations hand-in-hand with her husband.

Nicole holds onto the wisdom of Mother Teresa’s words, “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” This belief fuels her dedication to both her professional and personal endeavors, showing that greatness often starts with the little things.

If Nicole were a candy, she’d undoubtedly be a Starburst. Like the beloved treat, she’s packed with energy, bursts with creativity, and knows how to bring a splash of brightness to whatever she’s part of. From crafting standout campaigns to creating cherished family moments.

Charles Davis is a seasoned Sr Technology Solutions Architect with an impressive 25 years of experience as a VAR/MSP Engineer and Architect. Known for his deep expertise in networks, servers, and cloud services, Charles is the go-to solution builder for complex technological challenges. Over the years, he’s crafted seamless systems with precision, guaranteeing that every project he touches is built for success.

When Charles isn’t orchestrating cutting-edge tech solutions, you’ll find him fine-tuning soundscapes as an audio engineer, creating dazzling synchronized light displays, or bringing homes to life with advanced automation projects. His passions blend creativity and technical skill, much like his approach to work.

Charles draws inspiration from Thomas Edison’s words, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” With a strong work ethic and dedication to the craft, Charles turns every “opportunity” into a breakthrough solution.

If Charles were a candy, he’d be a Tootsie Pop. Why? Because he’s layered with expertise, delivers surprises with every encounter, and it’s a treat to unravel his depth of knowledge. From solving complex tech puzzles to lighting up both homes and minds, Charles brings a mix of inventiveness and skill to everything he does.

Greg Stice is the kind of tech professional you want on your side when computers and customers need a helping hand. With an incredible 36 years of experience in IT, Greg has mastered the art of help desk support and computer repair. His deep knowledge, problem-solving skills, and dedication to service have made him a rock-solid leader in the field.

Outside the world of IT, Greg tunes into his creative side through music. He plays the guitar and sings, bringing harmony to everything he does. And when he’s not strumming chords, you might find him in his workshop, crafting something out of wood with the same skill and care he brings to his tech work.

Greg’s philosophy on life is guided by two favorite quotes. First, the wise words of David Feherty remind him, “It’s how you deal with failure that determines how you achieve success.” And second, a nod to his sharp sense of humor with the classic line, “I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley,” from Airplane!

If Greg were a candy, he’d undoubtedly be LaffyTaffy! Like the chewy treat, he’s bright, adaptable, and knows how to bring a smile to even the most challenging situations. Whether leading his team through complex technical issues or jamming on his guitar, Greg brings a mix of expertise, charm, and good humor to everything he does.

Meet Chad Fogarty, the ultimate tech wizard with a knack for turning complex systems into seamless solutions. With expertise spanning network infrastructure, cloud administration (M365/Entra/Intune), firewall/security architecture, automation, and end-to-end systems engineering, Chad is the go-to person for making IT magic happen.

Professional Highlights:

• Mastermind behind successful migrations to Microsoft 365, Entra ID, and Intune for multiple organizations.
• Architect of automated workflows that make workstation provisioning a breeze and onboarding a snap.
• Designer of secure, high-availability network environments featuring SonicWall, Aruba, and VMware.
• Tier 3 problem-solver extraordinaire, slashing downtime and boosting system stability for clients.

When Chad isn’t busy engineering the future, you’ll find them spending quality time with their son or diving into the world of video game development—because why stop at building networks when you can build entire virtual worlds?

Favorite Quote:
“Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.” – Peter Drucker

Candy Spirit Animal:
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup – because great things happen when the right pieces come together (just like Chad’s approach to IT).