“I have been privileged to have many of my longtime customers become good friends,” says Deano McGalliard, owner and president of Computer Consulting Services. McGalliard started his business in 1998 and operated from his home garage. A year later, he expanded to a location in Denbigh and recently moved to Oyster Point. “Many of my customers are within walking distance,” he says.
McGalliard provides a variety of services that range from custom designing and installing networks for businesses to repairing a laptop with a bullet hole in it. “We are able to restore data and repair laptops after spills, falls, electrical shorts and hard drive failures. Hard drives are now solid state, but nothing lasts forever,” says McGalliard. This topic leads McGalliard to his “mission”: to convince everyone to back up a computer regularly. “Every day or automatic backup is best,” he adds.
Another “tech tip” from McGalliard: beware of computer or cyber fraud. “It is everywhere and very clever. Be careful of ‘pop ups’ and emails or links. Don’t even trust Google,” he says. “I have been surprised at the number of very intelligent, educated people who fall for these scams.”
McGalliard grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, graduated from the Citadel and spent 15 years in the U.S. Air Force as a weapons systems officer. The Air Force brought him to Virginia, and he now lives in Seaford with his wife, dog and two cats.
Computer Consulting Services has two employees; one has been with the company for 10 years. McGalliard promises quality work and reasonable turnaround time for an affordable price. “Every day is different,” says McGalliard. “I may have plans, but the phone will ring and everything changes. Today all businesses depend on computers to operate. Small businesses cannot afford an ‘IT’/computer specialist in-house. Most of my customers have my cell phone number, and I respond as quickly as possible,” he adds.
McGalliard has accepted work in Maryland, Delaware and North Carolina. He has been at the top of the James River Bridge, working on the stoplight system. He has worked in the control tower at Langley Air Force Base. McGalliard has installed multiple television systems and security cameras in restaurants. He offers troubleshooting and support. He installs internal network infrastructure, including a network map, work stations and servers. Details are planned down to the color of the wall plates. He assures a perfect fit for the unique business.
Sometimes McGalliard makes house calls. “I had a 90-year-old customer,” he says. Walk-ins are welcome. For businesses, on-site service is usually necessary. Soon McGalliard will offer a “pick up/drop off” service.
Technology is McGalliard’s true passion. Unfortunately owning a business requires paperwork and other responsibilities. “I hope to add more employees soon,” he says. He has high standards and his employees are professional and well-trained. “Twenty years ago there were five or six computer shops along Jefferson Avenue. Now there are none—just a ‘big box,’” he says.
“I have had to ‘learn as I go’ in this constantly changing business,” says McGalliard. “I just jump in and keep swimming.”
McGalliard works long hours, including Saturdays. When he can get away, he enjoys camping. “Often it turns into a ‘working vacation,’” says McGalliard. “I always take my cell phone and my computer with me and I accept calls from customers. When I was growing up, my family could only afford camping vacations and it’s still my favorite.” He likes to fish and prefers the Cherrystone Campground on the Eastern Shore. Someday he’d like to take his 24-foot camper out west.
McGalliard is pleased with his move to Oyster Point and looks forward to serving his long-time customers as well as gaining some new ones.
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