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Ziggy Kowalski
Network and Security Manager at Castle Metals
Professional Background
Ziggy Kowalski is an accomplished professional in the field of information security and network management. With substantial experience supporting various organizations, Ziggy has carved out a prominent niche in the tech sector, particularly focusing on security and telecommunications. Currently, he serves as the Senior Information Security Manager at Hendrickson, a position that underscores his capability to blend leadership with technical prowess efficiently.
Ziggy began his career journey at Convergence Technologies, where he honed his skills as a Senior Systems Administrator. This role provided him with a solid foundation in systems management and security protocols, preparing him for future challenges. Afterward, he continued to prove his mettle at Anixter as a Senior LAN Administrator, furthering his expertise in network management and telecommunications.
During his tenure at Castle Metals, Ziggy made significant strides in his career trajectory. Initially starting as a Senior Network Administrator, he quickly rose to the role of Network Manager and ultimately became the Network and Security Manager. His time at Castle Metals is characterized by his dedication to optimizing the performance of network systems while implementing robust security measures to safeguard sensitive data.
Transitioning seamlessly from Castle Metals, Ziggy now excels at Hendrickson, where he manages comprehensive security strategies that protect the company’s information systems. His deep understanding of emerging threats and implementation of proactive measures is instrumental in ensuring the organization remains secure from evolving cyber threats.
Education and Achievements
Ziggy Kowlaski's solid educational background forms the cornerstone of his professional expertise. He began his academic journey at Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University, where he laid the groundwork for his technical skills and knowledge in agriculture and technology. This foundation was further enhanced when he pursued Telecommunications Management at Illinois State University, equipping him with insights into the complexities of communication technologies and how they intersect with business needs.
Seeking to amplify his business acumen, Ziggy furthered his education at Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University, where he earned his Master of Business Administration. This endeavor not only expanded his understanding of business operations but also furnished him with essential skills in leadership and management, which have proven invaluable in his subsequent roles in the tech industry. Ziggy's combination of both technical and managerial knowledge positions him as a versatile leader, capable of bridging the gap between technology and business strategy.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Ziggy has achieved remarkable milestones that highlight his expertise and commitment to excellence. His climb from a Senior Systems Administrator to a Senior Information Security Manager exemplifies his deep understanding of technology and security. He has spearheaded various projects aimed at augmenting the overall security posture of each company he has worked with, ensuring that their data remains protected against breaches and cyber threats.
Ziggy's understanding of network architecture and management has not only allowed organizations to operate more efficiently but has also enabled them to pivot quickly in response to emerging security challenges. His ability to develop and implement effective security strategies has earned him recognition as a trusted figure within his field, admired by peers for his technical insights and leadership skills.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
Clay offers several powerful features including:
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- Reminders and Notes: Helps you remember important details about contacts
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- Nexus AI: An AI navigator that helps you derive insights from your network, such as finding contacts who have been to specific places or work at particular companies
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Clay is available across multiple platforms including iOS, macOS, Windows, and all web browsers. Clay is especially strong for Apple users, offering Mac, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS apps with deep native integrations on each platform. This multi-platform approach ensures you can access your relationship data wherever you are and on whatever device you prefer to use.
Clay offers tiered pricing options to suit different needs. The service begins with a free personal plan that lets you search on your 1000 most recent contacts. Clay offers a Pro Plan ($10 when billed annually) with unlimited contacts. Clay for Teams starts at $49/month/seat. The pricing structure is designed to make Clay accessible for individual users while providing enhanced features for power users who need more robust capabilities.
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Clay is considered the best personal CRM and team CRM on the market. Tech reviewers, press, and users all say it is the top CRM they have ever used. Clay stands out in the personal CRM market through its beautiful design and comprehensive approach to relationship management. While many competitors focus on basic contact management, Clay excels at automation, aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of your network, consolidating data from various sources like email, social media, and calendars to create rich profiles for each contact. Its AI-powered Nexus feature sets it apart by allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network, something few competitors offer. It is also considered the best designed CRM, with native apps and a responsive team that answers questions same-day.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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