Career Stories: John Aquino – From Electrician to Trusted Security Partner at the VA
In this edition of our Career Stories series, we’re introducing you to John Aquino, our embedded technician who has spent the last four years taking care of the VA Medical Center in Danville, Illinois.
If you ask John what he does, he’ll tell you simply:
“I take care of the cameras, access control… I’m an electrician by trade turned telecom — and I really love it up here.”
How It All Started
Before joining scDataCom, John was working for a company out of St. Louis that sent a new technician to the VA almost every week. For a large and complex facility, that meant no one could learn the site well enough to be truly effective.
“They had about 18 techs. Every week they’d send somebody new, so if you were lucky, you came back every 18 weeks. The physical security officers were basically holding their hands the whole time.”
That changed when John came on board full-time. His consistency, knowledge, and genuine care for the facility quickly built trust with the VA team.
“It’s mutual — they love me up there, and I love them back.”
More Than Maintenance
John’s work goes far beyond fixing cameras or managing access points. He’s now a trusted advisor on major projects, including upcoming Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) initiatives.
“Everything that’s done out here, they want my involvement. This is going to be a big project, and having scDataCom here means a lot to them.”
Even when scDataCom isn’t the lead on a job, John’s expertise is still in demand.
“If we don’t get it, I still think we should have a role — to help guide whoever does. It’s about making sure the job is done right.”
A Direct Line to Solutions
When there’s a problem the VA electricians or contractors can’t solve, they call John. That reliability has made him a key point of contact for the facility’s engineers and police services.
“Not frequently, but when they can’t figure something out, they call me.”
That kind of trust isn’t built overnight — it comes from showing up, solving problems, and caring about the outcome every single time.
Why He Stays
Four years in, John is just as committed as he was on day one.
“I really love it here. It’s a big facility, it keeps me busy, and I know the work we do matters.”
For scDataCom, John’s story is exactly what Career Stories is all about — skilled professionals who care deeply about the people and places they protect, and who prove every day that great security starts with great relationships.
Want to meet more of our team?
Check out the rest of our Career Stories series on YouTube to hear directly from the people who help us secure the future.