David Sutherland
Supervisor - Workgroup Technology Support 
Computing and Networking Services
University of Toronto
255 Huron St. Room 345
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3J1
voice: 416-978-4597 fax:416-971-2085
Responsibilities
WTS has a mandate to help University organizations use information technology more effectively. My job is to help the people I work with fulfill this mandate. My contribution to the team is to focus on the balance between the technical, business and human elements that are involved in the delivery technical support services. The limited financial resources available to the University make the provision of high quality support a double challenge. It is necessary to identify innovative and affordable technology. It is also necessary to develop and retain skilled and conscientious employees.

Besides the day to day administriva of budgets and paper work. Much of my time is spent  with various organizations on campus helping them developing initiatives to improve the utilization of information technology. I also spend time supervising our existing service delivery groups and keeping tabs on existing projects. 

Work History
When I began working at the UofT in 1989 my  time was divided between PC hardware and networking issues and helping staff utilize PC database applications more effectively.

After a reorganization of the University’s central computing services in 1996, I became more involved in project management work. Some of the more interesting projects include the UTORdial client software development, the Information Commons phase 1 implementation, and the development of an NT security model for the public access workstations. During this time WTS also began offering departments contract technical support, and in this capacity I managed projects for a number of departments and colleges, including the Y2K-driven upgrade of the School of Continuing Studies student registration system.

Before joining the UofT, I held a variety of positions in both the public and private sectors:

Wyse Technology (1988 -1989) Canadian technical support and help desk.
Telematic Technology (1985 - 1988) Contract technical support and programming.
TVOntario (1981 - 1985) Technical support for the Telidon project.
Nelma Electronics (1980 – 1981) Electronics technician.

Before working in the IT field, I spent several years working in the music industry as a sound technician, composer and performer.

Community Work
I have a strong interest in education and the arts. I have been a member of the board of Cascade Theatre since 1987. Cascade Theatre produces original work for young audiences. Our production of “Something from Nothing” won the 1995 Dora Mavor Moore award for outstanding children’s production.
From 1996 – 1998 I served as a community council co-chair at the Alan Howard Waldorf School. In 1998, I was elected to the board of the Waldorf School Association of Ontario. Through this work I have had the opportunity to explore the area of social development and organizational renewal known as servant leadership which I try and apply to my work at the University.