During Military Appreciation Month, local companies across the Emerald Coast have an opportunity to recognize the service members and veterans who help strengthen the region, not just in uniform, but in the workforce that supports local businesses every day.
At Bit-Wizards, a Fort Walton Beach Managed IT Services (MITS) firm that’s provided local tech support for over 25 years, the recognition is personal. The company employs several veterans, including Cody Covert, whose career journey started in the Air Force and evolved into the cybersecurity and infrastructure work he supports today.
Starting out, Cody’s primary duty in the Air Force was aircraft maintenance, but his supervisors quickly noticed he had a knack for computers and technology. His inclination opened the door for him to work on Air Force systems as a Client Systems Administrator (CSA), managing the unit’s technical environment, including 250 machines and printers and about 300 user accounts. That experience set the stage for a deeper path into security-focused work.
Building on his early experience, he earned a Security+ certification and served as a network administrator and Information System Security Officer (ISSO), helping maintain and protect his organization’s systems. He also introduced radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems to the maintenance unit and wrote the initial process to help move operations to that new technology, an early example of what would become a theme in his career: bringing structure, clarity, and reliability to complex environments.
After retiring from the Air Force, he completed his degree in Computer Information Systems from the Florida Institute of Technology. And at that time was also interning at CareerSource Okaloosa, where he first learned about Bit-Wizards. It was there that he helped other veterans explore career options and, in the process, found his own path forward.
Today, Cody brings his military-honed mindset to Bit-Wizards’ MITS team, helping businesses solve real infrastructure and security problems for a network of nearly 3,500 desktops that supports 180 clients across the U.S.
“I’m grateful for what the Air Force instilled in me,” said Cody Covert, Bit-Wizards lead infrastructure engineer. “It gave me discipline, taught me how to stay calm under pressure, and how to take ownership. That experience shaped the way I work today, my focus on the details, supporting the team, and always thinking about how to serve the people who depend on us.”
Military Appreciation Month comes once a year, but for some, the gratitude is endless. Vince Mayfield, CEO of Bit-Wizards and an Air Force veteran himself, has seen the contributions of people like Cody, who’ve served, have a significant impact on the company's performance and outcomes over two-plus decades in business.
“When getting the mission done, it’s about the right balance of accountability and empathy, and never losing sight of the people who depend on you,” said Mayfield. That’s why veterans thrive here, the work is real, the standards are high, and the team matters.”
Whether on the IT career path or a seasoned IT professional, including transitioning active-duty service members, Bit-Wizards offers an award-winning culture with a meaningful mission.
