The wait is finally over!
This is the very first PDQ Sysadmin Hall of Fame, created to celebrate the unsung brilliance of IT pros everywhere. We put out the call, and the community delivered. You nominated more than 100 sysadmins from across the country (and across industries) who exemplify what it means to be clever, calm under pressure, and just plain heroic. And then, more than 300 votes were cast to pick the people’s choice award winner.
Today, we’re proud to introduce the class of 2025.
Marcel Lipovsky
Mentor. Legend.
“Marcel Lipovsky isn’t just a sysadmin — he’s the sysadmin ... the kind of IT wizard who’s probably been automating reboots since before most of us figured out how to change our desktop wallpaper.”
With over 30 years of IT wizardry under his belt, Marcel’s technical chops are undeniable. But it’s his generosity and presence in the community that really set him apart.
Marcel is a mainstay on Discord, always ready with a fix, a workaround, or a much-needed joke to make a frustrating issue feel a little lighter. He doesn’t gatekeep knowledge — he gives it away freely with kindness and zero ego. When systems go sideways, Marcel is the calm in the chaos. He lifts others up, solves problems like it’s second nature, and makes the entire community strong.
To quote one nomination, “He doesn’t just fix things; he makes things better.”
Adam Stroman
Educator. Innovator. Community builder.
“His impact extends far beyond his technical expertise, as he has dedicated himself to teaching and leading countless individuals.”
If you work in K–12 IT in Arkansas, chances are you may already know Adam Stroman. For more than a decade, Adam has been transforming the way schools think about technology. Recently promoted to technology supervisor for Conway Public Schools, Adam has built a career combining technical expertise with a heart for leadership.
He’s automated, implemented, and streamlined operations in ways that have made real, lasting impact. But more importantly, he’s shared that knowledge, teaching staff how to wield tools like Cognos and empowering educators with critical knowledge and skills.
His peers call him instrumental. His district named him Employee of the Year. We just call him a Hall of Famer.
Jocelynn Wilson
Protector of servers. Advocate for growth.
“She's the main go to when there are IT problems, especially server side.”
Every team has that one person who really knows what’s going on behind the curtain. For her company, that’s Jocelynn Wilson. She’s the go-to for server issues, the backbone of IT during the busiest season of the year, and the kind of sysadmin who not only shows up but shows others the ropes while she’s at it.
Jocelynn is currently earning her degree in cybersecurity while working full time, proving that her ambition matches her technical ability. She doesn’t back down when she knows there’s a better way ... and when decisions go sideways, she’s the one gently steering things back on course.
Determination, grit, and a keen eye for what’s right? That’s Hall of Fame energy.
Justin McDonald
Mentor. Mastermind. Mission critical.
“Justin McDonald is an exemplary professional ... he has proven his abilities by implementing many different programs.”
When you're trusted to train sysadmins across the country on secure software deployment for classified networks, you’re probably doing something right. That’s exactly what Justin McDonald does (and does exceptionally well). A cornerstone at Lockheed Martin, Justin has taught teams nationwide how to implement, manage, and optimize endpoint management across sensitive environments.
But he’s not just a technical expert — he’s a mentor, a leader, and the kind of person who makes complex systems feel approachable.
If there’s a checklist for sysadmin greatness, Justin’s not only checked every box — he’s built a dashboard to monitor it.
Joshua Dearing (People’s Choice winner)
Fan favorite. Fixer. Force of nature.
“I can't think of someone more deserving of praise.”
Josh’s impact isn’t loud, but it’s impossible to miss. With a sharp eye for potential issues and a passion for automation, he’s turned repetitive tasks into time-saving systems that have transformed how his team works. The result? Fewer tickets, smoother workflows, and a whole lot of grateful coworkers.
But Josh’s impact doesn’t stop with his own team. He actively supports other departments, shares his expertise freely, and brings a sense of calm and clarity to every challenge. When something needs fixing — or better yet, improving — Josh is the one you want on your side.
He’s an automation ace, a generous teammate, and a well-earned inductee into the Sysadmin Hall of Fame.
To the inaugural inductees: You set the bar high.
Across every nomination, we saw the same themes again and again: tireless problem-solving, relentless curiosity, and a deep commitment to helping others thrive. Whether it was mentoring teammates, scripting the impossible, or just knowing exactly which cable to wiggle, these traits define the best of what it means to be a sysadmin.
This is the first year of the PDQ Sysadmin Hall of Fame, but it won’t be the last. We’re just getting started, and we plan to grow this into a lasting tradition that celebrates the people who keep the world running, quietly and brilliantly, behind the scenes.
So check back next year. Nominate someone great (including yourself — we know you’ve earned it). And help us keep building something worthy of the folks who make IT work.
