Years with O&G: 15
David Garrow’s journey—from school computer club to online education pioneer, casino IT lead, and now a key player in O&G’s digital evolution—is a story of curiosity, creativity, and constant improvement. That’s what makes him a True Gold employee.
For someone who didn’t set out to pursue a career in IT, David Garrow has built a remarkable path—one filled with curiosity, problem-solving, and a drive to make every day work better for the people around him.
David’s interest in computers started much earlier than college. His father was a programmer who occasionally brought home what passed for “portable” computers in the 1980s—bulky machines that weighed around 80 pounds. “In fourth grade, I joined computer club and would go to school an hour early to learn how to program in Logo,” he recalls. “You’d program a small triangle called a ‘turtle’ to draw lines on the screen. It was basic, but it planted a seed.” Still, he didn’t envision himself in a technology career until the very end of college, when he rediscovered his love for programming.
That rediscovery came through a final-semester programming course he took just to earn enough credits to graduate. His professor, recognizing his knack for it, recommended him for a part-time role helping the university’s School of Nursing with IT needs. “They called me out of the blue and offered me a job in their helpdesk group,” he says. What started as a short-term gig quickly turned into a graduate assistantship, and eventually, a full-time job.
David went on to develop educational content for some of the first online nursing programs—a groundbreaking concept at the time. “People were still using dial-up modems,” he says. “Online classes were rare. But I got to work with a lot of new tech, and we built resources supported by federal grants, often focused on aging and Alzheimer’s care.”
Eventually, David made his way to Connecticut to work at Mohegan Sun Casino, where both his father and brother were employed. “The Casino of the Sky had just been built, and it felt like the right time to jump into something new,” he says. He joined as a telecom and infrastructure technician and later became a project manager, earning his PMP certification and overseeing major IT implementations like the Casino of the Wind and its new poker room.
From there, David took a brief role at ESPN in Bristol before O&G found him. “I started working on the Mason Division’s new software system, Aplus, and all the components that went with it,” he explains. “I’ve been here ever since—except for a one-year break when I left to help my brother launch a brokerage firm.” But Connecticut had grown on him, and it wasn’t long before David returned to O&G—and he’s been making his mark ever since.
As Manager of IT Application Development, David’s role is both technical and creative. “There’s only about five minutes each morning that feel typical,” he says. “After I check system notifications and make sure data is moving smoothly between platforms, it’s off to the races with a different project every day.”
David’s work supports nearly every aspect of O&G’s operations—from construction teams in the field to back-office business units. He ensures that the many applications in O&G’s ecosystem—HR, accounting, project management, material sales, and more—communicate effectively and support the people using them. But what brings him the most pride aren’t the large-scale launches; it’s the small, meaningful improvements that go unnoticed by most but make a major difference for end users.
“I love the little enhancements,” he says. “Taking a thirteen-click process and reducing it to two. Replacing a tedious copy/paste task with drag-and-drop. Building a report that combines data from four systems that don’t naturally talk to each other. Those moments are the most rewarding—when I can build something that no other software or program can do, and it just works.”
The most valuable skill in his toolkit? It’s not a certification or a coding language; it’s the ability to figure things out without a manual. “That happens a lot in tech,” he says. “You have to look for patterns, learn by example, test, and adapt. Trial and error, and the scientific method, are how I’ve built most of what I know.”
Working in IT in the construction industry brings unique challenges and opportunities to innovate. “Most people don’t realize how varied the processes and applications are at O&G,” he explains. “We support all the typical business systems, sure—but also construction planning, job costing, scheduling, sales, and field reporting applications. Every division has its own needs.”
Even with all that complexity, David stays energized by O&G’s mindset. “What I appreciate most is the constant push for improvement,” he says. “Whether it’s from IT or from the business side, we’re always asking, ‘What can we do better?’ And that drive—to solve problems, meet challenges, move forward—is what makes O&G special.”
His advice to someone starting out in IT, especially in construction: “Gather experience in many different aspects of IT.” Even if you don’t master all of them. All technology is interwoven these days, and having broad knowledge will go a long way to understanding those interconnections.
Success for David isn’t measured by applause—it’s in the quiet moments of impact.“When I hear someone talking about an app or a feature I built, praising it to someone else without knowing I made it—that’s when I know I’ve done a great job.”
Outside of work, David trades in code for carpentry. “I like to turn off the computer and pick up the power tools,” he says. “I do most of the remodeling at my house—framing, drywall, plumbing, flooring—you name it. I stay away from the electrical panel, but otherwise I’ll tackle just about anything.”
