Fred Butz IV

Sr. Director I&S Customer Support

Eagle Scout
TCU Graduate: History ( Teacher originally, with a love of IT )
Avid lover of Renaissance faires and costumes
Amatuar Photographer
Dallas Cowboy Fan
Christian
Vizient Employee 25 Years total with 2 years of that as a contractor
1 Puppy - Rotten loved
Gardner
Nerdy Stuff such as marching band
Scotch, Whiskey, Beer .. all the brown stuff

I started off in 1998 working for then VHA in the computer room 11PM-7AM while then getting a few hours of sleep before going to class at TCU. My original plan was to become a teacher. I love history. There is always something new we are uncovering or learning from what we already thought was true.

A couple years later and right after graduation I was hired on full time in 2000 and watched the coming of the turn of the century from a small room working late at night watching out the window. As we all know it became a big nothing and life went on.

I've held many roles while at Vizient from Production Operator, to Senior, to Manager of Operations, to Sr. Director for which I have held the role for the last 18 months.

Over the last 23+ years, I've learned that nothing can be done without people. From my years in scouts where it takes an entire potrol or troop to cross a river, build a bridge, cook a meal, or make camp it took everyone. No one was left behind. It did not matter if you were an entry level scout or a life scout ready to make eagle. We all had a role and we all had a part and it didn't get done unless we all contributed and worked together.

I'm a father of two. One son who is 18 and still figuring out life and a daughter of 20 who is working her way through the post highschool activities with friends, boy friend, and work.

For 5 years I was a single parent until the wonderful woman whom would become my wife now of 12 years reconnected with each other over the "Power of Facebook". A highschool band Saxophone friendship that went from a "Sure I'll go out with you" to someone who has supported me through good and the bad.

Right before COVID my now wife was able to formally adopt both children. It was a moment everyone was able to enjoy and a moment I will never forget as my father would soon pass just a short time later. I am very thankful he was able to enjoy that moment.

I volunteer at the Senior center once a month to cook dinner and engage. I enjoy the cooking and engaging with folks there as I know that some do not get anyone that visits.

I'm terrible at speaches, get cold feet on the podium, and sometimes wonder how the hell I ever got here.

Maybe I should write a book? :D This is getting pretty long :D