Adam Hobaugh, Deputy CIO for Pitt IT, plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the University's IT ecosystem. With a focus on operations and infrastructure, Hobaugh oversees the core services that keep Pitt running, including networking, storage, and firewalls. These services, often overlooked by the University community until there is an outage, are essential for supporting research, teaching, and learning at Pitt.

Hobaugh likens his role to maintaining the "pipe and plumbing" of the University, a term coined by CIO Mark Henderson. Without this foundational work, the University's business operations would come to a halt. As much as he wishes people could appreciate the level of work and complexity that is required to keep everything humming, he acknowledges that, "If they don't know that any of that is happening, then we are absolutely doing our job."

Hobaugh also serves as co-director for the Center for Research Computing and Data (CRCD), which provides high-performance computing (HPC) resources to the research community. The CRCD supports researchers with GPUs and CPUs, enabling advanced work in areas like AI. The team includes specialists from various scientific, engineering, and biomedical fields, who help researchers leverage these resources effectively.

Hobaugh highlights the close relationship between the CRCD and the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC). While both centers provide similar resources, the PSC operates on a larger scale, offering capabilities for massive-scale modeling and simulations. The CRCD, on the other hand, provides a no-cost alternative for researchers with more typical HPC resource needs.

One of the key challenges Hobaugh faces is managing the University's growing storage needs. With data generation increasing exponentially, Pitt IT has adopted a flexible approach to storage. Using Dell's Isilon "Flex on Demand" model, Pitt IT can dynamically adjust its storage capacity, ensuring it meets current needs without overspending. He explains, "We pay for enough capacity to fulfill the current needs, with some level of buffer, but retain the capacity to add storage quickly to remain agile."

Hobaugh's passion for IT and problem-solving began at a young age. Before joining Pitt IT, he worked in a robotics start-up, creating autonomous robots for hospitals. The recession in 2008 led him to seek more stable employment, and he found a home at Pitt IT. Impacting innovative research has made his role especially rewarding. “Enabling researchers, faculty, and students to solve problems that can benefit people around the globe is so rewarding.” Over his 16-year tenure, he has held various roles, from IT analyst to leading support teams, eventually becoming Deputy CIO.

Outside of work, Hobaugh is a dedicated family man. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters, participating in their activities and supporting their interests. His family life has taught him valuable lessons and helped him understand different perspectives.

Hobaugh’s commitment to Pitt IT is evident in his dedication to providing reliable IT services and supporting the Plan for Pitt. His work ensures that researchers, faculty, and students have the tools they need to succeed, driving innovation and progress at Pitt.