Rich Wessels

Assistant Manager - Data Center Operations

The excitement and idea of empowering system administrators and systems owners to provide better support to UIHC which in turn provides quality care and safety for our patients has kept Rich Wessels working behind the scenes at the HCIS Data Centers for almost twenty years. Born in an Oak Park, IL maternity ward when delivery rooms weren’t yet established, Rich takes pride in two things: data centers and horses.

Oak Park, IL – what was it like growing up?

Actually I didn’t grow up in Oak Park. My family moved to Lamont, IA when I was five years old.

What was that like?

Lamont is a small town with a population of 500. I grew up with lots of horses, so my dream growing up was to race horses. I started breaking horses when I was 10 years old and remember falling off a lot of them.

Were you in any races?

No, I wasn’t. But my mom and dad won a few big races. I grew up a Jockey.

How does one go from being a jockey to managing data centers?

I lived in Lamont till my mid-twenties breaking horses and also working with my father at a Network Data Processing center; he was the data center manager there, so I picked up everything from him.

So you had a choice between being a jockey or going into the data center business, why didn’t you stay a jockey?

I didn't have much of a choice. By the time I turned 16, I had gotten too big to be a jockey.

How did you end up at HCIS?

A position opened up and I applied.

What do you like about working at HCIS?

The people! I enjoy working with HCIS staff. They are dedicated hard working people who enjoy having fun while getting work done. It makes for a relaxed environment. I’ve been doing data center stuff most of my life, and it’s nice to be working with people who take pride in what they do.

Besides racing horses what other hobbies do you have?

I like camping and working on cars. I take my family on lots of camping trips.

What do you like about camping?

I love sitting around the camp fire with my wife and kids and the food.

Do you like cooking?

I like making steak, it’s easy enough. My wife is an awesome cook, so I try to do less.

What’s your favorite food?

Steak and potatoes

Favorite Dessert?

Mom’s Lime Cheesecake

And you mentioned you like working on cars, if you could be any type of car, what would it be and why?

A 1964 Nova, because they are really light and fast (unlike me) and they are just cool looking.

What type of music is playing in your car right now?

A little bit of everything. The Eagles, Lil Wayne, Chris Daughtry, Pink Floyd, and Carrie Underwood.

What kind of music do you prefer to listen to?

Right now I am into my daughter’s music. She has Eminem, Lil Wayne, mostly Hip Hop music.

What is your favorite cartoon character and why?

That has to be Bugs Bunny, because he is old school.

Tell us something interesting many people don’t know about you.

My grandfather was the captain of the 1939 Ironman Team. He caught passes from Nile Kinnick, and played defensive end. He lettered in three sports at Iowa (Football, Basketball and Baseball).

Our last question is themed “Reason for the Season” If you could send one message to the world what would it be?

Life is not what we expect it to be, dream like a kid, get out and have fun.

Turn your lights off, save power, save the world.