Experienced IT Specialists, Jones and Shields, Contribute to Pluralsight’s Continued Excellence in Online Learning

SALT LAKE CITY – Pluralsight, a global leader in online training for technology professionals, today announced the addition of two expert course authors, veteran IT specialists Don Jones and Greg Shields. Jones and Shields will contribute to Pluralsight’s rapidly growing library, focusing their expertise around the expansion of the company’s IT admin training courses. They will also play an instrumental role in various business development and partnership opportunities within the company. 

“Pluralsight is extremely passionate about acquiring the finest authors in the industry, providing our learners with unsurpassed technical training,” said Aaron Skonnard, CEO of Pluralsight. “As thought leaders, Don and Greg are the cream of the crop in their field, bringing the kind of experience and expertise that will add immense richness to Pluralsight’s IT offering.” 

Prior to Pluralsight, Jones and Shields spent nearly a decade developing computer-based training for a variety of outlets, including CBT Nuggets, 1105 Media, Microsoft, Interface Technical Training, and Penton Media. The duo also co-founded Concentrated Technology, a boutique technology education, analysis and consulting firm offering a variety of services to clients worldwide. Jones and Shields have both been recognized as VMware vExperts and Microsoft MVPs (Most Valuable Professionals), and they are regular contributors to the development of Microsoft official curriculum. 

Jones, an expert on Microsoft’s server and cloud solutions, has written dozens of IT instructional books on a variety of software. He started the “Month of Lunches” series that teaches people how to use specific software in the course of a month of lunch breaks. He is also an accomplished IT journalist, writing monthly columns in publications such as Microsoft TechNet Magazine and Redmond Magazine. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help Pluralsight enrich its IT channel. 

“Helping people understand complex technology and software is a challenge that continually drives me,” said Jones. “ Through its online learning platform, Pluralsight continues to master distilling technical information and turning it into easily digestible material. I am thrilled to contribute to the excellent work Pluralsight has been doing in the education space.” 

With nearly 20 years of IT experience, Shields has written more than a dozen books and regularly contributes to media outlets such as TechTarget and MCPMag.com. He has worked in every IT position possible from technician to systems administrator to technical manager to independent technology expert. Shields is also recognized as a Citrix Technology Professional (CTP) and is a top-rated speaker at conferences such as TechMentor, the Microsoft Management Summit and VMworld. 

“I’m honored to join such an innovative and evolving company,” said Shields. “I look forward to contributing to Pluralsight’s thought leadership in the industry and helping evolve its exceptional training library.”