About
The Field Guide to IT Excellence began as a series of real experiences, lessons learned, and problem-solving moments from our own careers leading IT teams across startups, mid-market companies, and large enterprises. As we moved from organization to organization, we kept finding that the same practical tools worked regardless of the size, complexity, or culture of the team. We wrote this book because we believed other IT leaders deserved access to those same tools without having to discover them the hard way.
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Our belief is simple: when IT leadership is intentional, transparent, and disciplined, both the business and the people within it thrive. Every consulting engagement we take on is grounded in that same conviction. We bring the tools, frameworks, and real-world experience to help your team build something that lasts well beyond any single initiative or project.
Eric Manna
Eric is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with more than two decades of hands-on experience in information technology, audit, compliance, and cybersecurity. A CISM certified professional, he has built, scaled, and led cybersecurity programs across highly regulated industries. He excels at aligning risk management and regulatory requirements with practical business objectives, while overseeing enterprise security operations, incident response, and third-party risk management.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Colorado Technical University, graduating summa cum laude. His career began in desktop support and progressed through IT service leadership into senior cybersecurity roles. Known for practical, solutions focused strategies, he communicates effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
He is a devoted husband and father of four. When not working or writing, he finds inspiration in the mountains and enjoys fishing and skateboarding.
Travis Austin
Travis has spent more than two decades in IT leadership, aligning technology with business strategy, leading enterprise implementations, and building the teams that make it all work. His expertise spans cybersecurity, business integration, ERP systems, strategic planning, and large-scale technology transformations.
He holds a Master's in Information Systems with a specialization in Cybersecurity and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Systems, both from the University of Colorado Denver, where he graduated summa cum laude.
He lives in Colorado with his wonderful wife of over 20 years and their twin boys, and can often be found showing up for whatever adventure they are pursuing next. Outside of work, Travis volunteers in the Arvada community and enjoys pickleball, basketball, hiking, and reading.
