Jeffrey Bastow has never been the kind of IT professional who throws technology at a problem and hopes for the best. From his very first job — building the first-ever network for an IRS regional office back in 1988 — he has approached every engagement the same way: understand the business first, then figure out how technology can help.

That philosophy has carried him through a 35+ year career spanning technical training, network consulting, wireless internet, and IT leadership — and it’s the foundation of everything Bright Span Technologies does today.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Widener University — where he graduated valedictorian in just three years — Jeffrey went on to the University of Maryland on a full fellowship toward a PhD in Computer Science. He found his real passion wasn’t in research, though. It was in teaching people how to use technology effectively.

He launched his training career in Washington D.C., where in his first year alone he taught over 40 classes covering 26 different software products. He became a Microsoft Certified Trainer in 1995, and was later selected by Microsoft as the first instructor in the nation to teach its Windows 2000 Accelerated course.

In 2000, Jeffrey founded Snackycake Consulting LLC, where he provided Microsoft certification training nationwide while also diving deep into hands-on consulting for small and mid-sized organizations. His clients ranged from farms and art studios to city governments and power companies — giving him a ground-level understanding of the unique pressures small organizations face.

This period also marked his move to Eastern Washington, where he’s been rooted ever since. He also joined Columbia Basin College’s Advanced Technology Center as a technical instructor, further sharpening his ability to explain complex technology in plain language.

In 2003, Jeffrey became IT Manager for Benton Rural Electric Association (Benton REA), where he spent the next 22 years building something remarkable. He took over a fledgling wireless internet service with just a handful of customers and grew it to nearly 1,200 rural subscribers — eventually delivering speeds up to 100 Mbps over wireless connections.

Alongside the ISP, he ran a network consulting business serving rural organizations throughout the Yakima Valley — providing technology services to police departments, fire departments, school districts, city governments, and farms. He built a multi-layer security infrastructure robust enough that when COVID hit in 2020, Benton REA transitioned to remote work without missing a beat. He also managed a full migration to Microsoft 365 and Teams, and maintained business continuity plans that proved their worth when it mattered most.

When Benton REA sold its wireless internet business in 2025, Jeffrey chose to retire from his IT Manager role and return to what he loves most: working directly with small organizations that need real help, not corporate boilerplate.

That’s why he and Sheri founded Bright Span Technologies. Jeffrey brings three decades of experience in security, infrastructure, cloud migration, process improvement, and plain-English technology strategy directly to your business. Whether you’re dealing with outdated systems, security concerns, or just need someone to help you think through your options, he’s done it before — and he’ll do it right.

Let’s talk about how Bright Span Technologies can help your organization move forward.