BusinessReport.com

The transition from math teacher to the field of information technology was going to be difficult. Still, Ruark Chick made the move.

“I enjoyed teaching mathematics and helping kids understand the lessons of life, but I have always had an internal battle trying to choose between these two careers,” Chick says. “My ideal job would couple the field of education with technology.”

Chick’s decision to leave teaching eight years ago wasn’t easy. But it didn’t seem like a big leap; after all, his high-tech hobby had become his passion, and he had learned anything is possible with hard work.

It turned out to be a lucky jump. When a young, up-and-coming CIO at Jones Walker challenged Chick to show his stuff, he did, expanding his studies and certifications that, in turn, led to taking on bigger projects.

In the process, Chick has progressed from IT manager of the Baton Rouge office to CIO of the entire firm, which has offices in Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas and the District of Columbia.

“I also put my teaching skills to use and mentored several staff members,” he says.

Chick leads by example, rolling up his sleeves when needed. He singles out his actions in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when he helped to restore critical communications such as e-mail, create a temporary working ground for displaced attorneys to continue serving their clients and ensure confidential documents remained protected.

Following that, Chick also led the team that built and designed a disaster recovery system in Ohio. As a result, there was less down time with Hurricane Gustav in early September.

“I do not stop until my team and I have succeeded,” he says.

It also helps that he found his wife, Jennifer, in his career change. Chick says she has been supportive through every doubt, disappointment or setback.

“My business philosophy is to be yourself, and that has not changed since I made the choice to pursue a career in the field of technology,” he says. “I believe in hard work, integrity and family, and all that I do is built on this framework.”

Age: 36

What was your first job?

“My first job was selling fireworks. I truly believe the basis for my present-day negotiation skills stems from those hot Fourth of July nights and cold New Year’s Eve haggles with buyers at the fireworks stand.”

Click here for the complete list of 2008's Forty Under 40 winners.