Dawson Attison

Co-founder & Solutions Architect, TekNation

01 // ABOUT

Dawson Attison

I have a pathological need to build things, whether that's a business, a building, a system, or a person growing into who they're meant to be. I served four years as a combat engineer in the Marine Corps, spent the next several managing construction projects, moved into IT as a field tech, and eventually co-founded TekNation, where I design and build the systems that keep growing businesses running.

Through all of it, I've learned that the work is only as strong as the relationships behind it. At work, at church, and at home, I invest in the people around me, because that's what makes everything else last. And I'm happiest when I'm learning something new or working on a problem other people have written off as impossible.

02 // EXPERIENCE

  1. 2025 to present

    Co-founder and Solutions Architect

    TekNation

  2. 2023 to 2025

    Commercial Field Technician

    Computer Helper

  3. 2020 to 2023

    Project Manager

    A-Z Companies

  4. 2016 to 2020

    Estimator and Project Manager

    Five Star Fixturing

  5. 2012 to 2016

    Combat Engineer

    United States Marine Corps

03 // WHAT I BUILD

Most IT problems get solved the way they were solved twenty years ago. I'd rather find the solution that will still make sense five years from now.

Modern Infrastructure

Traditional server rooms are built from separate compute, storage, and networking silos that are expensive to buy and harder to maintain. I design hyperconverged and hybrid infrastructure that collapses those layers into clusters that are simpler to run, easier to scale, and connected to the cloud from day one.

In practice: Migrated client environments to Azure Local clusters managed through Azure, and deployed XCP-ng clusters for on-premises virtualization. At home, a two-node XCP-ng pool with TrueNAS storage serves as a lab for testing what's next.

Cloud-First Workplace

Domain-joined PCs, file servers, and VPNs made sense when everyone worked in the same building. I build workplaces around cloud identity and device management instead, so people can work securely from anywhere and a new laptop can go from box to ready without IT ever touching it.

In practice: Microsoft 365, Entra ID, and Intune environments for growing businesses, with Zero Trust access policies and zero-touch device deployment.

Automation and AI-Driven Operations

The usual answer to more work is more people clicking through more portals. I'd rather build tools that do the repetitive work, so people can focus on the problems that need a human.

In practice: Built an automated pipeline that finds and summarizes relevant RFPs and a pricing calculator that turns service quotes into a consistent, repeatable process.

04 // CERTIFICATIONS

  • CompTIA A+
  • CompTIA Network+
  • CompTIA Server+
  • CompTIA Security+
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals

05 // CONTACT

Have a project in mind or just want to connect? Send a message and I'll get back to you.