MJ Shoer - President & Virtual Chief Technology Officer
MJ started Jenaly Technology Group in February of 1997 in the basement of his home. The vision for Jenaly grew out of MJ's collective experience with a variety of hardware and software technology companies, focusing on sales automation, executive information management and electronics distribution, holding both sales and technical management positions.  In these roles, MJ also had responsibility for hiring and working with outsourced IT services firms, experiences which have directly influenced the mission and vision of Jenaly Technology Group.

In 1995, MJ was named President of Portsmouth's first Internet Service Provider.  MJ quickly grew the company to over 2,000 subscribers in 6 months. Shortly thereafter, the business was successfully acquired by a regional ISP and the vision for Jenaly began to gel.

MJ holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science with a concentration in Soviet studies, from the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 1986.  After the Cold War ended, what was left but to become a technology entrepreneur?  MJ remains involved with the University, volunteering with the Pathways program that mentors seniors as they begin their career search in earnest.  MJ is also a season ticket holder and avid fan of the Division 1 UNH Wildcat Men’s Hockey team.

MJ is very active in both the local community and the global IT community.  Locally, MJ serves on the Board of Directors at the Seacoast Family YMCA and is Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Seacoast Crime Stoppers.  In the global IT community, he serves on the Advisory Committee of The ASCII Group and is a member of the Editorial Board of SMB Books.  MJ is also very active in the Computing Technology Industry Association, CompTIA.  He is a former member of the Board of Directors, Board Secretary, Audit Committee member and member of the Ad-hoc Selection Committee that selected a new CEO for CompTIA in 2008.  MJ participated in the formation and testing of the new CompTIA Security Trustmark, which validates the IT security credentials of IT service providers.  He also served on the Board of Directors for the CompTIA Educational Foundation.  Currently, he is a co-chair of the Managed IT Services (MITS) Executive Forum and the SMB Owners Community.

MJ is also an accomplished writer having published his first book, Hassle-Free Computer Support, in August of 2006.  He also writes columns for local newspapers, The Portsmouth Herald and Fosters Daily Democrat.  MJ maintains a blog about IT for small and mid-size businesses and is frequently interviewed for local and national publications.  MJ was featured on the cover of Channelpro magazine in November of 2009.  You may review current and past articles, columns and interviews on our In The News page.  MJ has also testified before the United States Congress and the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation on the topic of information security.

A native of Swampscott, Massachusetts, MJ lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with his wife Jennifer, daughters Hannah and Molly, son Noah and sibling dogs Sparkles and Blizzard.

What inspires you to get out of bed each morning? Life...my family.

When you are not working, what are you most likely doing? Something with my kids, attending UNH Men's Hockey games or working around the house.

What technical device are you lost without? My smartphone.

What’s your favorite blog & web site? unhhockeyblog.blogspot.com and Google.com.

Ellen Sargent - Client Advocate

A graduate of the University of Vermont, Ellen Sargent joined Jenaly as an IT Specialist in 2000 after spending six years with a Portsmouth market research firm where she held several positions, including the network administrator. After 2 maternity leaves Ellen returned to Jenaly in 2006 in a part time capacity. Ellen’s current role focuses on client satisfaction. She communicates with clients via daily status emails, monthly executive summaries, our monthly newsletter Jenaly FYIT as well as our annual client satisfaction survey. These vehicles help her maintain communication with clients and measure their level of satisfaction.

What inspires you to get out of bed each morning? Seeing my son’s latest Lego creations… hearing my daughter’s daily observations… drinking the cup of coffee that my husband has prepared for me…feeding those cats so they’ll stop bellowing.

When you are not working, what are you most likely doing? Cleaning up spilled milk, reading Laineygossip.com

What technical device are you lost without? My cell phone since I do not wear a watch.

What’s your favorite blog & web site? Laineygossip.com and NYTimes.com.

 Sharon Peralta - Virtual IT Specialist

A former computer-phobe, Sharon Peralta was introduced to computer network support in 1998 with crash courses in Microsoft technology and an internship with a mutual fund company in Portsmouth, NH that resulted in a permanent position as part of the company's IT department. Sharon covered responsibilities from user support to server room maintenance. Prior to her IT life, Sharon had worked as a veterinary technician, ophthalmic/optometric assistant, and girl-Friday at a small software business. This seemingly incongruous background has equipped Sharon with an understanding of different types of businesses and the fact that molds are completely different and call for tailored solutions where networking and applications are concerned. Due to her own previous distrust and loathing of technology, she can sincerely empathize with end users who are often frustrated with their systems when they do not work as expected.  Sharon enjoys both behind-the-scenes network support and troubleshooting as well as end user support and interaction.

What inspires you to get out of bed each morning? Fear of being consumed by my cats if they don’t get fed!

When you are not working, what are you most likely doing? Something outdoors.

What technical device are you lost without? My laptop. My life is in there.

What’s your favorite blog & web site? Google.com and Despair.com (Thanks Steve and Kris! ;-))

n Barksdale - Virtual IT Specialist

Jon Barksdale joined the Jenaly team as an IT Specialist after 5 years working senior support for a software development company specializing in barcode printing in a LAN/WAN environment, followed by 2 years as the network administrator for a computer parts refurbishing/repair warehouse.  Jon is always looking towards future technologies for both enhanced network performance and improved efficiencies.  Currently his focus has been towards Virtualization and Document Management Systems.

What inspires you to get out of bed each morning?   Caffeine

When you are not working, what are you most likely doing?  Reading, driving, movies

What technical device are you lost without?  I actually welcome the opportunity to spend time away from all technical devices.

Ron Hubbard - Virtual System Administration Specialist

A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Ron joined Jenaly as a Virtual IT Specialist in 2005.  Ron’s current role focuses on proactive client work, refining processes and processing client orders.  Ron brings both Mac and PC based expertise to our team and has a genuine desire to innovate. Ron lives in Lee, New Hampshire and is recently married.

What inspires you to get out of bed each morning? The buzzing of the alarm, and the Cat who wants her morning treats, also coffee…

When you are not working, what are you most likely doing? Being a new homeowner means projects around the house!

What technical device are you lost without? All of them…

What’s your favorite blog & web site? Lifehacker.com & CNN.com.

Mike Flores - Virtual IT Specialist

Mike is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a BA is Psychology.   Mike started with Jenaly in 2006.  Prior to Jenaly, he worked in a very similar environment for 6 years as a Network Consultant servicing clients throughout New England.  Mike holds an A+ certification from CompTIA and has extensive training in Microsoft and Cisco technologies.  Mike and his family live in Deerfield, NH.

What inspires you to get out of bed each morning? Seeing my son.

When you are not working, what are you most likely doing? Spending time with my son,  enjoying outdoor hobbies.

What technical device are you lost without? My cell phone.

Amy Thompson - Virtual IT Project Manager

Amy Thompson joined Jenaly in September 2008, as your Virtual IT Project Manager, after taking time off from her career to stay at home with her children. Previously, she spent 8 years working as a technical client services professional for a mutual fund company in Boston and 1 year working in a project management role at an IT solutions company in Maine. Amy is a graduate of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She lives in Portsmouth with her husband Scott and two children, Jake and Molly.

What inspires you to get out of bed each morning? Being the first one up so I can have a huge cup of Green Tea in peace while I am making my kid’s breakfast and planning the day’s activities.

When you are not working, what are you most likely doing? Taking my kids somewhere fun or going to a Spin class.

What technical device are you lost without? My home PC.

What’s your favorite blog & web site? Facebook.com and LinkedIn.com.

Karen Velonis - Administrative Assistant

Karen Velonis joined the Jenaly team in June of 2010 after a decade of experience in the medical practice industry. Karen’s background includes participation in and support of several technology implementations. These experiences have given Karen a clear understanding of both Jenaly’s and our clients reliance on technology and the importance of our services. While Karen’s new role here at Jenaly will include many administrative responsibilities, she obtains the essential task of coordinating & scheduling Jenaly’s resources to meet our clients’ individual and urgent needs. Karen attended Plymouth State University.  Karen lives in Greenland, NH with her husband and St.Bernard and she loves the New England Patriots.

What inspires you to get out of bed each morning?  My family.

When you are not working, what are you most likely doing?  Spending time with my husband, keep up with my nephews and trying out new recipes.

What technical device are you lost without?  My Blackberry.

What's your favorite blog & web site?  blog.pfwonline.com and Facebook.