Our Team
Chris Gruenwald
President
Bayside Networks specializes in finding new ways to use technology to help its clients’ businesses run smoothly and more efficiently. Our company uses a proprietary evaluation system to analyze how each business operates, its future needs and how to obtain the most benefit from their technology systems. This includes helping prioritize their infrastructure needs and perform cost-effective upgrades.
The company’s clients include law and accounting firms, real estate investment trusts, real estate developers, non-profit organizations, technology and medical device companies and start-ups. Bayside has been a leader in moving its clients to the Cloud, which reduces hardware, software and maintenance costs, while also reducing risk from critical system failures, power outages or other local disasters.
Being part of advancing technology is a natural with Chris. He had his first computer, a Sinclair ZX80, when in junior high school. In high school, he had a part-time job at a local computer and parts retailer. He would ride his bike from Pacific Beach to Kearny Mesa for the job. In that era, no computer stores were organized to provide support outside the store. When he got his driver’s license, he began helping new computer owners set up their printers and modems. After two years at San Diego State University and a year at UCSD, he saw the consulting business take off. He left academia, hired his first employee and began growing Bayside.
Chris is a San Diego native. He enjoys motorcycle-based travel throughout the western United States and the care, feeding and exercising of three dogs (a standard poodle and two working cattle dogs, Australian Red Heelers) at his home in Rancho Penasquitos. His favorite causes are Healing Waters, which provides and installs clean water systems in third world countries, and the San Diego Humane Society.
Philosophically, he believes he understands what it means to own and run a business, which enables Chris and his teams at Bayside to connect with businesses of any size, empathize and explore how to solve current and future issues in a practical way.
Rev. Kendy Smith
Bookkeeper
Kendy is a graduate of Biola with a degree in Business and Leadership and Organization. She continues to be a lifelong seminary student of Theology.
She brings with her 10 years of experience as a bookkeeper working with International and Domestic Christian Campuses, restaurants, preschools and churches.
She also worked as a Business consultant for FEMA and several mission related Non-Profits. She brings with her a wide range of skill sets from accounting, marketing, finance business development and expansion, and ministry. Kendy spent 15 years traveling the world and documenting where and how to help the less privileged. Kendy now lives waterfront on the Colorado River caring for her father and enjoying the rural lifestyle. She spends her free time continuing her studies and is an avid reader.
Javier Lopez
Lead Consultant
Javier Lopez has been with Bayside Networks for over 10 years. He has an extensive background in server technology, Cloud Solutions like Microsoft Office 365 Exchange and SharePoint, Azure, Yammer, InTune, Carbonite among others services. He is an excellent troubleshooter and is known for his communication skills. Javier is heavily involved with project management and coordination. He has managed many server migrations and upgrades, which require careful planning and tight schedules.
He is bi-lingual in Spanish and English and ran his own PC support company for 7 years and serviced customers on both sides of the border.
Javier loves spending time with his family, going off camping, watching and enjoying movies and music and when there is a little extra time fixing and driving his 1965 Mustang.
Sergio Gutierrez
Lead Consultant
​Sergio Gutierrez is a lead consultant of Bayside Networks. With over 13 years of information technology experience, Gutierrez has been aiding companies to grow their technological capabilities with keen insight and creative ideas. Gutierrez is a graduate of San Diego State University earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems.
Gutierrez is a lifelong learner, gaining proficiencies in client-server environments, networking, information security, and cloud-based solutions. Gutierrez brings a unique blend of education, change management experience, and a deep understanding of the technical and organizational aspects of information systems.
Over the course of his career, Gutierrez has helped various organizations develop and implement strategic IT roadmaps that align with and support business process improvements, innovation, and organizational growth. As a senior leader in the Bayside Networks organization, Gutierrez has sponsored and led the implementation of multiple critical activities including cybersecurity compliance, cloud infrastructure, identity management, and enterprise networking. He believes information technology is an integral part of a company that fosters productivity, collaboration, and innovation in a business organization.
When Gutierrez is not taking the latest information technology challenge, he’s taking on the roads cycling down the California coastline, exploring niche restaurants, preparing delectable culinary dishes, and enriching himself culturally through his global travels.
Karl Muller
Senior consultant
Karl Muller has been with Bayside for 10 years and is the senior consultant of the staff. Originally from Fiji, Karl left the island to pursue his passion for IT and computer support for businesses. He has experience with a wide variety of clients, many of whom he has been working with for years, helping to grow their IT capabilities. He is known for being punctual and for getting to the point. Karl supports several large multi-branch companies and has a knowledge of the Sarbanes Oxley requirements. Karl is versed in Mac based computers as well as Windows.
Feb 2013 Employee Gold Panning Event, and our office mascot “Sangha”
Scott Pelak
Senior Consultant
Scott comes to Bayside from the great state of Michigan. He has over 5 years of small business IT consulting experience and is a skilled troubleshooter and service coordinator. Scott possesses a unique combination of technical skills along with an ability to communicate effectively and get to the bottom of IT support issues in a quick and friendly way. We are proud to have Scott as a member of the Bayside Networks team!
Ben Vertal
Senior Consultant
Ben joined Bayside Networks in November 2014 after transplanting from south eastern Wisconsin. He is a tenacious troubleshooter who enjoys problem solving and direct end user support. Ben graduated Waukesha County Technical College and is pursuing a degree at IT Administration degree from Western Governor’s University as a Night Owl. He is A+ and CCNA certified. Offline he enjoys San Diego’s geography, climate, and cultures. You can find him doing laps and flips in the pool… even in January.
Oscar Macias
Senior Consultant
Oscar Macias is a senior consultant of Bayside Networks. Macias has worked in the Information Technology (IT) field for 10 years. His passion for IT started in high school where he won several regional competitions. Macias attended Community College in San Diego, earning an Associate of Science in Network Administration.
Macias is certified in Microsoft 365: Fundamentals, Microsoft Technology Associate: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals, Microsoft Technology Associate: Networking Fundamentals, Microsoft Technology Associate: Security Fundamentals, and in Microsoft Certified Professional: Fundamentals. He is experienced in legacy systems, supporting nationwide accounting systems, CPA firms, major platforms hosted by Intuit, and data center operations. Macias has successfully managed many of Bayside Network's most valuable clients with a consistent quality of support, consultation, and a friendly disposition. Macias believes IT consulting provides necessary assistance to companies by fostering relationships built on trust and transparency.
When Macias is not learning about IT, he enjoys spending quality time with his family. Macias is passionate about health and sports. He avidly follows many international soccer teams and plays in local soccer leagues where he challenges his body and mind.