Founded Interplay in 2001

Brian Place is the Principal, Founder and Chief Cat Herder (CCH) of Interplay. After years of working for other firms, he knew there had to be a better way to manage IT services for medium-sized companies. So, in 2001 Brian decided to do it himself and started Interplay.

Brian enjoys working with his clients to create the right Managed IT solutions that keep companies moving forward and take the IT management stress off a company’s plate. Service, reliability and security are the foundation of Interplay and values that Brian has instilled in each employee.

When Brian isn’t busy at work he can be found developing a new cocktail, weightlifting (to work off said cocktails), cooking or traveling. Brian is a ridiculously huge fan of Disney World, EPCOT and all of the ways that Walt Disney made sure everyone who walks into the “Happiest Place on Earth” has the best day ever. He knows all the secrets, best food, and drink spots at each Disney Park in the US.

Joined Interplay in 2017

Sean Place is the President for Interplay. In Brian’s terms, he’s the Assistant Chief Cat Herder (ACCH). While Sean doesn’t know how to reset your password (and would have forgotten his if it wasn’t for a password manager), he’s actively involved in making sure the needs of Interplay’s clients are always met.

Before joining Interplay, Sean spent a decade honing his managerial skills working for dozens of non-profit organizations on issues ranging from land preservation to financial education. During that time, he organized students, families, and community members in Columbus, OH, Los Angeles, Portland, OR, and everywhere in-between. Sean believes that all companies and organizations deserve strong IT, that’s why he’s excited to bring Interplay’s expertise to clients that do great things. But, according to Sean, the greatest things on this planet are his two beautiful children, Milo and Lila. He’s also an avid baseball fan, and an unnecessarily competitive board game enthusiast – he plays to WIN!

Joined Interplay in 2014

Jordan Ross, our Infrastructure and Security Architect at Interplay, brings a depth of passion and expertise to the forefront of technology and cybersecurity. His journey in the IT field is marked by a rich tapestry of roles that have seen him evolve from hands-on support and help desk functions to network administration, culminating in his leadership role prior to joining Interplay as a CISO. Today, Jordan’s fascination with cloud computing and computer networking drives him to not just engage with these domains professionally but to immerse himself in them as personal passions.

A Nebraska native, Jordan ventured to Florida with his family in search of new experiences, only to find his true calling was waiting in the cooler, tech-driven environment of Seattle. It’s here at Interplay where Jordan’s enthusiasm for the ever-evolving IT landscape translates into innovative, secure solutions for our clients. His unique blend of skills and interests not only enriches our team but ensures that our infrastructure and security strategies are always ahead of the curve.

Joined Interplay in 2015

Blake Perdue is the Professional Services Lead at Interplay. He handles specialized implementations, projects, and any other work that falls out of the scope of normal support tickets. If a ticket is too complex for our service engineers, he is also available to serve as an escalation point.

Blake currently lives in Lower Queen Anne, Seattle. In his off time, he volunteers at Plymouth Healing Communities as a companion, occasionally performs piano & vocals at local open mic nights, studies jazz, and is working towards establishing a monthly acapella meetup group. He’s a big fan of our local sports teams and can be found participating in many community events in Seattle.

Having recently passed his Microsoft Azure Administrator exam, he is currently prepping for the CAPM and PMP exams in the hopes of improving project delivery at Interplay.

Joined Interplay in 2016

Doug Strong is one of Interplay’s fantastic Service Leads. Prior to joining Interplay, he spent 5 years honing his skills as an IT technician at Highline College, where he also earned an AAS in Network Administration. Doug’s expertise is matched only by his passion for pop culture, particularly Marvel and Star Wars. Proudly sorted into House Gryffindor according to Pottermore, he embodies the bravery and determination synonymous with the house.

With a blend of technical prowess and creative problem-solving inspired by his favorite characters, Doug tackles challenges with enthusiasm and dedication, making him an indispensable member of the team. His commitment to staying abreast of the latest industry trends ensures that he approaches every task with innovation and efficiency, contributing significantly to Interplay’s success in providing top-notch IT solutions. His favorite part of working in this industry is the opportunity to learn about and work with new and exciting technology.

Joined Interplay in 2018

Meet Lesile Vang, one of the Service Leads here at Interplay! Joining the team as a Service Engineer | back in 2018, Lesile’s dedication and passion propelled her into the role of Service Lead.

What makes being a Service Lead so cool for Lesile? It’s the incredible opportunity to not only provide unwavering support to our clients, but also to uplift and empower our talented engineering team. For Lesile, there’s no greater satisfaction than seeing her team thrive and succeed.

A proud native of Washington, Lesile finds joy in both adventure and tranquility. Whether she’s trying her hand at knitting, diving into the world of gaming, or casting a line while
fishing, Lesile embraces every opportunity for new experiences. Yet, she also appreciates the simple pleasures of a calming day at home, cherishing moments of relaxation and quiet reflection.

Joined Interplay 2018

Shelley Timmons is the Professional Services Manager here at Interplay. She joined our team shortly after earning her Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity and Forensics at Highline College in Des Moines. Shelley enjoys working with new technology, solving tech issues, and helping clients.

When Shelley isn’t hard at work, she spends time with her family in her hometown, Carbonado Washington. Where the heck is that you ask? Well, it’s a small town near the base of Mt. Rainier, with about 720 people. Shelley and her husband enjoy the quiet life that the area provides, and it’s an excellent place for their blended family: one daughter, two sons, and a beautiful granddaughter. Shelley enjoys traveling, binge-watching Netflix shows, entertaining friends and family, having girl time with her daughter, and hanging out with her very sociable cats, Charlie and Ginger.

Joined Interplay in 2019

In the tech symphony that is Interplay, Brenden Rodgers conducts the network operations with a geeky flair earned through four years working in IT. Brenden’s journey is inspired by watching his father’s computer wizardry growing up in the rainy vistas of Edmonds, WA.

Now Brenden is the tech whisperer who turns chaos into harmony. He is certified with A+ and Network+. When the screens go dark, Brenden swaps bytes for family delights. With a squad of six, he’s never short of a co-op partner in life’s grand game. His quest? To level up his IT prowess, ensuring everyone he supports logs off with a smile. Because for Brenden, the ultimate win is powering up people’s lives with tech magic.

Joined Interplay in 2021

John Fusetti is a Service Engineer here at Interplay. John got his bachelor’s degree at the University of Washington, Tacoma campus in Information Technology and Systems and has continued his training and growth throughout his career. After spending his pre-college career working in customer service roles, John loves the opportunity to meet and speak with Interplay’s amazing clients across all industries. Eventually, he would like to take the foundation he has built and specialize in cybersecurity.

Growing up in Seattle, John spends his winters in the mountains skiing and summers barbequing for everyone he can. For all those rainy days when going outside is not an option, he spends his time diving deep into any video game roll playing games that he can get his hands on. An avid fan of all things music, he tries to go to as many concerts as his budget will allow and can almost always be heard singing to himself (albeit, very badly).

Joined Interplay in 2022

Du Thai is a Service Engineer here at Interplay. Du went to Hoa Sen (Lotus) University in Vietnam and got his bachelor’s degree in computer science with a focus in computer programming in 2011. When he came to the US, Du spent a few months thinking about what he would pursue. With his educational background, he decided to go to South Seattle College and finish his Associate of Applied Science-Transfer degree as an IT Systems Specialist in 2017.

In his free time, he likes to go hiking, camping, and visiting new places whenever he can. At home, Du usually listens to instrumental music or watches Netflix to relax. He also likes to gather with friends for BBQ, hotpot, food, and card games.

Thanks to Interplay’s training opportunities and Du’s hard work, he earned AZ-900 and Security+ certifications. Du is planning to learn more about Azure and Microsoft 365 services.

Joined Interplay in 2022

Erin Vadney is a Dispatcher here at Interplay. She has been known as “Tinkerbell” for her skill and love of fixing anything that seemed to be broken. When Erin is not working, she enjoys photography and relaxing at home with her small army of pets. She also loves spending time with her wife and two teenage kids.

Joined Interplay in 2022

Cole Fleming is a Service Engineer at Interplay. He gravitated towards IT from his interests in technology growing up. Cole has a strong background in customer service and team environments, and loves that Interplay ties these traits into every day. Outside of work, Cole enjoys snowboarding, gaming (sometimes too much), and hiking. Cole also finds joy in troubleshooting and problem solving, making his role here extremely fun! Cole has earned his Microsoft Fundamentals Certification and is making strides to eventually earn more.

Joined Interplay in 2023

Kevin Le graduated from North Seattle College with a bachelor’s degree in applied science for Application Development. He brings a background in customer service and enjoys helping people with technology. He appreciates that, in working at Interplay, he learns something new each and every day. Outside of work, he loves to tinker on his Steam Deck as well as game with family and friends! When not on the computer, Kevin is spending time out and about with his corgi, Daisuki (Dice for short).

Joined Interplay 2023

Lauren Harvey is the Executive Assistant here at Interplay. Having graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Texas, many of Lauren’s friends and family were still only slightly surprised when she instead chose to pursue a career in martial arts. After teaching kickboxing and Muay Thai for 7 years, Lauren certainly learned how to keep a cool head while kicks and elbows went flying. Now, while only knowing the “turn it off and back on again” method of technological support, she has shifted course once again and now brings that calm demeanor into the world of IT.

When not found juggling schedules, coordinating meetings, or generally bringing order to the universe, Lauren has fully embraced a Pacific Northwest lifestyle. This typically involves her love of coffee (both hot and iced), tending to her flourishing garden, and keeping a good pair (or 5) of waterproof boots on hand for the inevitable PNW rainfall.

Joined Interplay in 2023

Kyle Wilson’s path to a career in IT was rather unorthodox. His work experience began in fine dining and wine sales, while studying for a bachelor’s in business economics from the University of California, Irvine. Shortly after graduation, he started his own business where he negotiated contracts on behalf of Esports athletes. After a successful five years of
contract work, he decided it was time for a change, and transitioned to IT.

Fast forward to today, Kyle has gained tremendous experience as both an on-site and remote support IT engineer. He received both his AZ-900 and AZ-104 Azure Administrator certifications, and his passion for learning the ins and outs of cloud environments continues to grow.

When not studying for his next IT certification, Kyle enjoys running, climbing, and creating content for his Magic the Gathering podcast. He is also a proud cat dad to two mischievous tabbies, Hugo and Frankie.

Joined Interplay in 2023

Meet our Operations Manager and in-house Swiftie, Melissa Schade (She/They). Melissa brings substantial experience in performance management, data analytics, and change management. Previously, Melissa supported Seattle college students just starting out in the tech industry as IT interns for corporate giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Salesforce. Now with Interplay, Melissa gets to support more personalized, customer-focused IT solutions for incredible partners across Puget Sound.

A California Bay-Area native, Melissa moved to Seattle over 10 years ago and graduated from Seattle University with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and English literature. She loves Ska, sunny days, and sewing custom clothes for friends and family.

Joined Interplay in 2024

Meet Service Engineer Joshua Brown (he/him). Joshua has been in the tech field since 2018 and is currently finishing his Computer Network Engineering degree. He brings a wealth of tech experience to Interplay, including help desk and Windows migration experience. Additionally, Joshua handled tech repair work for the Seattle Public School system for two years, giving him a lot of large-scale enterprise experience. Outside of work, Joshua’s background is that of a musician. He attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music and writes his own material when he has the time. Fun fact: Joshua shot a music video last year with one of his computer networking program peers.

Joined Interplay in 2024

Cara McCoy is a Seattle local who graduated from the University of Washington in 2017. While her degrees skew more towards the liberal arts field, Cara has an avid interest in new technology and hardware advancements. With a love for almost all things nerdy and fandom, she is often found fervently contributing to office debate on tv, movies and videogames. Cara can’t get enough of animation and wishes more shows were animated. Contrary to popular opinion, she thinks that animation is the superior form of visual storytelling. Cara’s favorite vacation spot has always been La Push on the Washington coast.