Maxwell Riley: Routing connections for people power
As network engineer in the regional office, Max Riley is all about people. Though he spends much of his time on his computer, his role is far from antisocial. Every day, he speaks with other Service employees, assisting them remotely with any number of technological problems.
For many seeking help, these problems are urgent, and they come to him with a certain level of frustration from trying to troubleshoot on their own. You would think this kind of stress would get to him, but these daily interactions are what Riley loves most about his job.
“The issues are like mysteries that we need to solve,” he said. “Seeing that smile, the fist pump in the air, or the message saying, ‘IT WORKED!’ is without a doubt the best part of the job.”
The desire to help others has always been a huge part of Riley’s life. When the United States declared war in Iraq following the September 11th terrorist attacks, Riley knew he had to do something. To get overseas as soon as possible, he fast-tracked his education, finished high school in three years, and enlisted in the Marines immediately after graduation .
Riley inspires others with his selflessness; in turn, he draws strength and hope from people he’s met throughout his life.
“During my military career, I met a lot of great people and leaders,” he said. “Even through some extremely bad and dark times, especially overseas, they were able to stay calm and keep moving forward. I’ve always respected that attitude and try to emulate it myself.”
In his career, Riley strives to fuse technology with conservation. We are living through a technological boom, and he believes these advancements are integral to breaking down barriers, connecting our resources, and increasing the efficiency of the Service.
Riley’s most memorable conservation achievement occurred when he was an IT intern. Eager to work in the field, he volunteered for a water-chestnut cleanup at Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, near the regional office.
During the day’s orientation, another intern showed volunteers where the highest concentration of water chestnuts was on printed Google Earth images of the refuge. When she found out Riley worked in IT, she mentioned that she had called the day before in a panic, trying to get the software installed.
“I was the one who assisted her,” he said. “ At that moment, I realized how my small puzzle piece fit into the overall picture and mission of the Service,” he said.
A self-proclaimed “nerdy outdoorsman,” Riley keeps up on new technologies by taking college courses and completing certifications. He applies his expertise to his hobbies, using standard cameras, drones, and trail cameras to capture stunning photos of wildlife and landscapes.
Riley is passionate about outdoor recreation and enjoys kayaking, fishing, hiking, and hunting. He finds moments sitting alongside his wife and observing wildlife help him disconnect from the stress of the world. A week ago, he harvested his first deer of the season, a beautiful 8-point buck that he described as “without a doubt the highlight of connecting with nature for the year.”
In this “new normal,” where many of us are teleworking, our offices have shrunk to the size of laptops, cellphones, and tablets, and technological connectivity is vital. Despite the increased workload and challenges that have come with this cultural shift, Riley and other IT professionals in the region have stepped up. Their tireless efforts in the face of unprecedented change have allowed us to stay connected, transforming our dining room tables into conference rooms for collaboration in the name of conservation.
