From Fractal Graphics to SMB Technology Solutions
Reza Ashrafi is the IT Director for James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A. (JMD) He didn’t set out to master networking, software and servers, or IT security for law firms or small and medium businesses (SMBs). An interest in graphics and fractal technologies led him to his current work implementing SMB technology solutions.
Those who have studied fractals—repeating shapes and patterns that can be scaled infinitely—can likely see the correlation to how businesses use technology today.
The Path to SMB Technology Solutions
When he began college at Marshall University, Reza didn’t anticipate a career in computers and technology. His interest was in graphic design and Reza began his studies in broadcasting. It was evident, however, that computers were the future of the workforce, so he shifted his professional focus.
A Career in SMB Technology Solutions
After receiving his Master of Science degree from UW’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering and his MBA from UW’s Foster School of Business, Reza began working in management and consulting for IT security, computer systems, and software solutions for companies in a range of industries, including health care, legal, and oil and gas.
With years of experience as an IT consultant and director, Reza truly understands how businesses use technology today. Resolving small business technology pain points is a large part of his work as the IT director at JMD. The solutions Reza implements in his daily work can be adapted for most small and medium business environments, and his hope is that this website will provide insight and ideas to help other technology management professionals meet their daily challenges.
Additional Interests and Pursuits
Analyzing and resolving small business technology pain points is rewarding in its own right, but Reza has also continued to pursue his passion for graphics. This area of technology doesn’t play a large role in the general duties of technology management professionals, but Reza’s original interest in it has remained strong over the years.
While his work in graphics is not directly related to his primary career path, it has run parallel to it. Reza co-founded several successful enterprises in graphics, animation, and rendering. These projects evolved from an interest in fractals to identifying additional uses for fractal technologies.
Reza’s companies have developed customized compression algorithms for image compression, embedded fractal signatures in patterns and textures for hyper-realistic ray tracing, and applied fractal technologies to encryption and security.
Graphics, and specifically fractal technologies and graphics, offer business opportunities, but perhaps more importantly, these pursuits keep Reza in touch with the pure pleasure that can be found in technology and its infinite applications.
Work Experience
- IT Director, James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A.
- Co-Founder, Fractal Contraction & Compression Cipher
- Co-Founder, Komprimiert
- Co-Founder, Ashrafi-Wright System Management and Consulting
- Co-Founder, Shades of Matter
Skills and Interests
- 3-D Modeling
- Cloud
- Digital Graphics
- Fractals
- Hyperconvergence
- IT security
- Ray Tracing
- System administration
- Servers