Workflow Wizards: How Chris Ackerman's Self-Taught Skills Transformed His Career from Theology to Technology

Discover how Chris Ackerman transitioned from theology to mastering automation at Aegis. Learn about his journey and key workflows in Workflow Wizards.

Welcome to the latest installment of our Workflow Wizards series, where we highlight the top automators in the MSP industry. In our previous article, we spotlighted Dustin Riley from CisCom Solutions for his role in cultivating an innovative culture through strategic quarterly planning.

Today, we’re excited to introduce Chris Ackerman from Aegis, an automation engineer who brings a unique blend of dedication, creativity, and a knack for problem-solving to the table. Chris’s journey is a testament to the power of transformation and self-driven learning.

From youth ministry to automation mastery, Chris’s interest in technology sparked when he became the unofficial IT guy at his church. At Aegis, he started teaching himself PowerShell to automate tasks. Now, he’s the go-to guy for scripting and automation, making his mark with workflows that save time and reduce errors. Follow along as we share Chris’s story and see how curiosity and persistence can drive remarkable career growth. Get ready to be inspired by his journey from youth minister to automation wizard.

What is your professional background? 

After earning a degree in religion and theology, I began my career working as a missionary at a youth summer camp and later as a youth minister in Tallahassee. My tech journey started as the de facto IT guy at the church, thanks to my familiarity with computers from my dad’s home-based computer business. Realizing my passion for IT, I earned CompTIA certifications and launched my IT career as a technical consultant at Aegis, where I quickly took on automation tasks, teaching myself PowerShell to streamline processes and optimize our RMM.

Did you have any automation experience before Rewst?

Before Rewst, my background was primarily non-technical, so I had to build my automation skills from scratch. My role as the maintenance director at the church pushed me towards IT, where I developed an interest in automation. At Aegis, after our senior systems engineer left, I taught myself PowerShell to automate tasks like software installations and network setups, paving the way for my deeper dive into Rewst.

How were you introduced to Rewst? What was your initial reaction?

I was introduced to Rewst by a colleague, with our CTO leading the onboarding process. Upon my first login, I was struck by the platform’s extensive capabilities. Although Rewst offered the 100 series courses, I preferred a hands-on approach, building and testing workflows directly. My initial reaction was a mix of excitement and challenge due to the platform’s depth. My journey with Rewst has been about trial and error, self-teaching, and incremental successes, significantly improving our automation approach at Aegis.

What was most helpful when learning Rewst? Did you have any ‘Cluck yeah!’ moments?

Building simple workflows for my team was immensely helpful in learning Rewst. Diving into practical application allowed me to understand the platform’s capabilities quickly. One of my most significant workflows automated converting opportunities to sales tickets in ConnectWise Manage, saving us considerable time and reducing errors. Seeing this workflow in action was definitely a ‘Cluck yeah!’ moment.

Another came when I was building a workflow to add new technicians and their phones to Duo accounts. I spent way too much time trying to pass a lot of data in one large workflow and work with that information together in one place. I went back to my automation basics and remembered that I could put everything into a loop and get the data I wanted by utilizing Sub-Workflows.

What are some workflows you’ve built? Which are you most proud of?

I’ve built numerous workflows that have significantly streamlined our operations. One of the biggest time savers for our technicians has been the workflow to copy an offboarded user’s One Drive data to an Employee Archive site in SharePoint. What was a lot of labor and waiting, can usually be accomplished in a few minutes through the Microsoft Graph endpoints.

I also created a workflow for Microsoft Lighthouse alerts that parses the data, assigns it to the correct company, sets a status, and triggers a webhook to alert our team, significantly saving time and reducing manual effort. We’ve also adapted various Crates for different needs, like processing malicious emails more effectively.

Currently, I’m working on a workflow for our Network Operations Center to automate daily checks on offline servers, firewalls, and backups, ensuring prompt addressing of any issues. Each of these workflows marks a step forward in optimizing our processes and underscores the power of automation in transforming how we work.

What’s your approach to building a new workflow?

My approach starts small, focusing on getting the first step right. I break down the process into manageable pieces, iterating until it works. The process involves trial and error, with many failed attempts before success. I use pseudocode and a whiteboard to map out the steps for larger workflows. I spend considerable time understanding API data for integration, building and testing each step individually before moving on. This structured yet flexible approach ensures each part of the workflow is robust.

“I usually start small, completing the first step in any workflow. If you look at the execution history, there are probably 70 failed attempts for every ten that succeed.”

How has Rewst impacted your role at Aegis?

Rewst has significantly transformed my role at Aegis, leading to my transition to the Automation and Project Engineer position. This shift has enabled me to lead a dedicated automation team, allowing us to tackle more complex projects and streamline processes. The impact of automation has made our company more efficient and innovative, freeing up our team to focus on strategic tasks and drive continuous improvement in our operations.

As I delved deeper into automation, I realized I couldn’t manage it alone. I brought together a team of individuals with a keen interest in automation and a strong background in Python. Training and collaborating with them has been advantageous, as they often come up with solutions and ideas I hadn’t considered. This collaborative effort has expanded our capabilities and fostered a culture of innovation within the team.

What advice do you have for new Rewst users?

For new Rewst users, I highly recommend diving into the Cluck U training courses to build a solid foundation. Additionally, join the Discord community, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. The community is incredibly supportive, and you can often find quick solutions to problems that might take hours to figure out on your own. Engaging with other users and sharing experiences can significantly enhance your learning process and help you overcome challenges.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a professional soccer player, but after watching the movie Hackers, I dreamt of becoming an ethical hacker. Although I didn’t follow the soccer path, my interest in tech and hacking has undoubtedly influenced my career.

What do you do for fun?

I enjoy mountain biking, which allows me to explore the outdoors and stay active. I also run a weekly Dungeons & Dragons game, where I exercise my creativity and storytelling skills. Spending time with my family is a priority; with a four-and-a-half-year-old and another child on the way, my family keeps me busy and brings me much joy. We’re also buying a house, adding another layer of excitement and adventure to our lives. Balancing these activities helps me unwind and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Find the perfect candidate for your automation needs.

Angela DeClouet
Content Writer