Francis St. Holder - Training in Pencak Silat

Francis St. Holder finds time to practice martial arts to stay in shape despite his busy schedule working as the Chief Technology Officer for Information Technology Security and Consulting Incorporated (ITSCI) in the Washington, DC area. He focuses mostly on Pencak Silat, an Indonesian martial art that he has fallen in love with over time practicing the art and the skill. St. Holder works hard to help his company’s clients protect their databases and IT systems and to help them use their technology better to help them find more customers and increase business.

Francis St. Holder finds great release in Pencak Silat. It is physically demanding as well as mentally demanding because it incorporates a wide range of strikes, grapples, and other moves that must be studied and mastered over time to get the full effect of the training. St. Holder has been practicing this martial art for many years and continues to grow and find new ways to spar and work against others so that they all can get better together. Traditionally, the history of Pencak Silat begins with the beginning of the oral history of Indonesia, with the arrival of the Indian King Aji Saka on the island of Java. He fought the ruling king of Java at the time, King Dewata Cengkar in hand-to-hand combat and won.

Francis St. Holder loves to practice this ancient art whenever he can. He enjoys the challenge that the full-body combat style uses and loves to learn new grapples and strikes he can try out on his sparring opponents.

Francis St. Holder and Common Security Services

Security services are a field that Francis St. Holder has spent time studying while serving as an IT executive in Washington DC. As technology continues to grow, the level and types of services available to clients expands accordingly. The following are the most common types of security services that are available for the public and private sectors.

• Personal security service finds a security business providing human protection for an individual client or group of clients. The most common form of personal security is the use of a bodyguard. Depending on the status and needs of the client being watched, one or more bodyguards may be contracted to cover the client.
• Business security services vary in options and severity depending on the type of business and what assets are kept on site. A basic level of business security will involve cameras and monitoring devices that can be viewed remotely. For larger-scale or higher revenue installations, the business security service may include armed guards that patrol the property during and after business hours.
• Home security services are the most popular as they act as a first level of protection for a homeowner and their family. Installations such as security alarms, surveillance cameras, and wireless security products are commonplace. These systems offer protection from theft as well as a link to emergency personnel in case of fire.
• Vehicle security systems are becoming second-nature to the automotive industry. Francis St. Holder has witnessed the rise in vehicles that come equipped with options such as OnStar.

Francis St. Holder Answers Common IT Networking Questions

As an IT Executive in Washington, Francis St. Holder is very familiar with the common and complex components of an Information Technology (IT) networking system. For those who are considering a career in this field, or for others who are overwhelmed by the many terms used in the industry, he answers the following IT questions.

What is a Local Area Network? 

A LAN, or Local Area Network is the group of computers that are connected together in one location, such as an office building or school. The LAN is self-contained and often not connected to an outside hub or server.

What is a link? 

In the IT world, a link is an electronic connection between any two devices. This link is likely established through a physical connection, such as a cable. A link can also refer to the wireless connection between two or more devices. When the link is disrupted or not connected properly, the two devices cannot communicate with each other. Common links include the connection of a computer to a printer, two computers through a router, or any device that connects to the Internet.

What is a router? 

When connecting or establishing a link between two or more devices, a router is often needed. This small device is an intelligent system that can choose the fastest paths for information to travel based on the parameters it is given when the operator sets up the system. If an IT professional wishes two stand-alone computers to have communication abilities, they must be connected through a router.

What is a Virtual Private Network? 

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is an information transfer and communication pathway that is secure. This means that a computer in one location can communicate private information to a server around the world through the Internet if a VPN is established.

What is the Network Interface Card? 

A Network Interface Card, also known as a NIC, is a small “card” that is physically plugged into a computer. This card allows the computer to connect to a network through a routing device. Every individual NIC card provides its own media access control (MAC) address, allowing that computer to be recognized and labeled on the network. This differentiation gives the user the ability to access the computer of their choice from anywhere else on the network.

What is a proxy server? 

A proxy server is a security system that is implemented to protect the privacy of a network. When an IT professional, such as Francis St. Holder, enables a proxy server, they are ensuring that outsiders who have knowledge of the system's Internet Protocol (IP) address cannot trace that individual IP address back to the physical location of the network and connected computers.

Francis St. Holder - Clinton Cycles

Francis St. Holder has spent most of his career in the IT industry as an IT Engineer. In 2015 he branched out as the new owner of a used motorcycle shop in Clinton, Maryland.

Clinton Cycles re-opened under his ownership in May of 2015. The shop features used motorcycles, and service for any make and model, and carries a wide variety of pre-owned motorcycles, such as Suzuki, Honda, Triumph and Kawasaki. The dealership has been a mainstay in the motorcycle community for many years, providing everything from custom-made bikes to custom tee shirts.

Clinton Cycles offers new products from Triumph and Honda under existing agreements, and continues to offer the used bikes on which it first built its reputation. The shop has many devoted customers, some of whom are willing to travel long distances to give them their business. “Got my first bike in ages at Clinton Cycles, and had a fantastic experience,” said one satisfied customer. “They are super busy so don’t be in a hurry...I really appreciated the time they took with me. I will be doing all my bike business here, although I live up in Baltimore...Thanks guys!”

The shop prints custom tee shirts for motorcycle brands and clubs, and with their on-site printing can have an order ready in two to five days after submitting a design. They also now carry apparel and accessories for women.

Francis St. Holder has spent more than twenty years in the IT industry as an engineer and remains the Chief Technology Officer at Information Technology Security and Consulting, Inc.

Sources: http://www.clintoncycles.com
http://www.examiner.com/article/a-new-era-for-clinton-cycles

Francis St. Holder - Real Estate Development

One of the many skills that Francis St. Holder has cultivated over the course of his career is real estate development. Also known as property development, real estate development encompasses a wide range of different activities, including the renovation of an existing building, or the improvement of a plot of raw land.

Real estate developers can be companies or individuals. One becomes a real estate developer when they buy a piece of property and improve it through construction, renovation, or restoration. Active developers buy land, finance property, and tend to control the entire development construction process from start to finish.

A real estate developer is similar to a conductor for an orchestra, or a director for a movie. While the developer may not be physically renovating the property or engaging in the construction, he or she will oversee the operation and make sure that it aligns with a certain vision. Because developers often take the greatest financial risk investing in the creation or renovation of a property, they also receive the highest rewards. A good real estate developer has a keen eye, and knows how to see value in a property that others cannot.

Francis St. Holder is not just an IT Engineer and business owner, he is also a real estate developer and investor. His skills as a real estate developer have come from over twenty years of experience in related fields such as business development, design, and implementation. Francis continues to develop a number of valuable skills that help him grow as a person and a professional.