Implementation Consultant

Race P.
Vanderdecken

Problem Solver

Specializing in Freshservice implementation, DevOps practices, and custom software solutions that drive real business outcomes. From kickoff to hypercare — I'm with you at every step.

What I Do

Expertise That Moves the Needle

01

Tailored Solutions

Custom software solutions built around your specific business needs. I dig into your operations to ensure the implementation fits perfectly — technically and strategically.

02

Cutting-Edge Technology

Leveraging the latest tools to deliver innovative software solutions that keep you ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, without overwhelming complexity.

03

DevOps Expertise

Deep training in DevOps practices that blend development and operations seamlessly. Benefit from optimized processes and a culture of continuous improvement.

At a Glance

Dedicated to excellence in Freshservice implementation and software consulting — meeting each client's unique requirements with precision and care.

4+
Books Published
500+
Notary Signings
15+
Yrs C/C++ Dev
NC
Hendersonville
About Me

Empowering Businesses with Technology

I specialize in software solutions that drive business growth. My background spans 15+ years of systems-level C/C++ programming, Freshservice implementation, and operations management.

I hold certifications from Freshworks in Freshservice Expert, Freshdesk, Freshcaller, and Freshchat, and earned my B.S. in Applied MIS with Operations Management from UNC (Summa Cum Laude).

FreshserviceITSMDevOps PythonC/C++Project Mgmt Notary PublicScrum / Agile
Published Works

Books by Race P. Vanderdecken

From practical Freshservice field guides to personal development — a growing library drawn from real experience. Click any book to read more and access companion files.

FS
Freshservice Series · Post Go-Live
Next Steps: Expanding Freshservice Value

A strategic guide to what happens after go-live — automation, ITSM maturity, ITIL alignment, Freddy AI, and how to evolve with Freshservice over time.

KH
Project Management
Freshservice from Kickoff to Hypercare

A hands-on field manual covering discovery, configuration, CMDB design, agent training, go-live, and the hypercare phase — with 20+ real-world walkthroughs.

IF
Freshservice Series · Implementation
Mastering Freshservice Implementations

The definitive step-by-step playbook — configuration, workflows, SLAs, asset management, onboarding, reporting, and more. Built for implementers to get it right the first time.

DG
Lifestyle & Personal Development
Dating in the Art & Style of a Gentleman

The Definitive Gentleman's Guide to Dating Relationships — timeless principles of intentional courtship with confidence and integrity. Available on Amazon.

Freshservice Series · Post Go-Live

Next Steps: Expanding Freshservice Value

The post-go-live playbook for organizations ready to move beyond the basics and unlock the full potential of their Freshservice investment.

← Back to All Books
FS
Next Steps: Expanding Freshservice Value
by Race P. Vanderdecken

Maximize Your Freshservice Investment

Understanding what happens after go-live is just as important as getting there. In my work as a Freshservice implementation consultant, I've seen too many teams stop short, thinking the job is done once the platform is live. That's why I wrote Next Steps: Expanding Freshservice Value. I believe the post-go-live phase is where the real transformation begins.

This is the time to step back and assess your current ITSM maturity — not to judge, but to build. Identifying your organization's strengths and friction points lays the foundation for meaningful optimization and automation. In today's fast-moving digital environment, efficient IT service management isn't a luxury — it's a requirement for innovation, growth, and reliable delivery.

Scaling Service Excellence Through Strategic Automation

Freshservice makes it easy to start small and scale fast. From auto-triaging tickets to triggering approvals and orchestrating third-party integrations, the platform is built for automation — but only if you know how to structure it. I show how to identify the right entry points: repetitive tasks, time sinks, and high-impact workflows. These are the moments where automation earns back hours and builds trust with users.

Driving Operational Maturity with Workflows and AI

This isn't theory — it's a playbook. With step-by-step use cases, configuration guides, and Freddy AI integrations, I guide you through automating incident management, change approvals, onboarding requests, and more using Freshservice's native tools. Whether you're just starting or refining your automation roadmap, Next Steps is designed to help you make Freshservice work smarter for you, your team, and your business.

What You'll Learn

  • How to assess your current ITSM maturity level and build from there
  • Identifying repetitive tasks and time sinks ripe for automation
  • Configuring the Workflow Automator to reduce friction and manual steps
  • ITIL best practices for automation alignment
  • Freddy AI Copilot, Assist, and Insights use cases
  • Integrating Freshservice with third-party platforms
  • Reporting and dashboards for continuous improvement
Companion Files Download

The companion files include all appendices, planning worksheets, and templates referenced throughout the book.

⬇ Download Companion Files (.zip)
Project Management · Field Manual

Freshservice from Kickoff to Hypercare

Don't go it alone. A step-by-step guide through planning, configuring, and launching Freshservice the right way — from discovery to dashboards.

← Back to All Books
KH
Freshservice from Kickoff to Hypercare
by Race P. Vanderdecken
Companion Files Coming Soon

Launching Freshservice? Don't Go It Alone.

Freshservice from Kickoff to Hypercare walks you step-by-step through planning, configuring, and launching Freshservice the right way — from intake interviews and CMDB design to agent training and post-launch hypercare.

Whether you're leading your first implementation or refining your internal playbook, this practical field manual combines ITIL best practices with tactical how-to content built around real Freshservice deployments.

From Discovery to Dashboards

The Kickoff to Hypercare phase is a pivotal component in the rollout of Freshservice. By examining best practices and lessons learned, this book lays the groundwork for sustainable service management and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Through structured guidance, businesses can effectively address any teething issues and ensure end-users are prepared and confident.

What's Inside

  • How to conduct discovery workshops and gather intake data from stakeholders
  • Building out a service catalog and defining ticket categories and SLA logic
  • Automating ticket workflows with the Workflow Automator
  • Integrating Freshservice with HRIS, ERP, and identity providers
  • Setting up portals, approvals, roles, and CMDB relationships
  • Planning go-live and running a high-touch Hypercare phase
  • Driving long-term value through reporting, governance, and continual improvement
  • 20+ real-world tasks with detailed walkthroughs
  • Over a dozen appendices full of templates, checklists, and planning tools
  • ITIL v4 tie-ins across each phase of the implementation lifecycle
  • Deep Freddy AI guidance: Copilot, Assist, and Insights use cases
  • Agent training content, onboarding materials, UAT sign-offs, and more

Who It's For

IT Service Desk Managers
Implementation Consultants
Internal IT Teams rolling out Freshservice
Anyone building or revamping a Freshservice instance
Freshservice Series · Implementation Guide

Mastering Freshservice Implementations

A Practical Guide to ITSM Excellence — built for implementers to get it right the first time.

← Back to All Books
IF
Mastering Freshservice Implementations
by Race P. Vanderdecken

Downloadable worksheets, templates, and process documents are included throughout each chapter of the book.

Everything You Need to Successfully Implement Freshservice

Mastering Freshservice Implementations is your comprehensive playbook for deploying Freshservice the right way. Whether you're an IT manager, Freshservice administrator, consultant, or project sponsor, this guide gives you the structure, insights, and tools to navigate implementation from planning through post-go-live support.

What You'll Learn

  • Build a rollout strategy tailored to your organization
  • Configure service management modules with ITIL in mind
  • Automate with workflows, SLA/OLA policies, and custom fields
  • Structure onboarding and offboarding with task-level precision
  • Implement asset, contract, and software lifecycle management
  • Track outcomes using reporting, analytics, and dashboards

Structured by project milestones, each chapter maps technical setup to ITSM principles, providing downloadable worksheets, templates, and process documents along the way. Whether you're launching a new Freshservice instance or optimizing an existing one, this book helps you avoid missteps and maximize long-term value.

Key Topics

  • Advanced Integration Solutions — Streamline your processes with cross-platform connectivity
  • Automation Features — Minimize manual tasks and improve response times with native Freshservice automations
  • Reporting & Analytics — Transform data into actionable insights for improved service delivery
  • Customizable Workflows — Tailor Freshservice to align with your unique business processes

Who It's For

Freshservice Admins
ITSM Project Managers
Consultants & Implementation Specialists
CIOs, IT Directors & Business Stakeholders
Anyone migrating from ServiceNow, Zendesk, or other legacy ITSM tools
Lifestyle & Personal Development

Dating in the Art & Style
of a Gentleman

The Definitive Gentleman's Guide to Dating Relationships — timeless principles of intentional courtship with confidence and integrity.

← Back to All Books
DG
Dating in the Art & Style of a Gentleman
by Race P. Vanderdecken

The Definitive Gentleman's Guide to Dating Relationships

I am proud to announce the publication of my book on dating manners and etiquette for gentlemen. Dating in the Art & Style of a Gentleman is a thoughtful guide to building meaningful romantic connections — grounded in timeless principles of respect, intentionality, and integrity.

Written from personal experience and reflection, this book offers a counterpoint to the noise of modern dating culture. It is a guide for men who want to approach relationships with deliberateness, treat their partners with genuine respect, and become the best version of themselves in the process.

Available Now on Amazon

Available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon.com.

Buy on Amazon →
Career

Race P. Vanderdecken — Résumé

Three formatted resume downloads, a full background summary, and detailed FAQs about my career path.

Downloads

Resume Formats

Background

Read Me — What I'm All About

Certifications & Current Work

  • Certified Freshservice Expert, Freshdesk Agent Expert, Freshservice Product Expert (Freshworks)
  • Full-time Freshservice & Freshcaller implementor at Flycast Partners
  • Senior Consultant at Vanderdecken Consulting / ZestCo.uk
  • Python development for Freshservice data transfers & ticket creation

Education

  • B.S. Applied MIS with Operations Management — UNC (Summa Cum Laude, 3.8 GPA)
  • Google Project Manager Professional Certificate
  • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
  • Brewing degree (3.97 GPA) — where "The Goal" changed everything

Programming Background

  • C/C++ — 15+ years (Win32, Linux, systems level; dev lead & manager)
  • Ruby / Ruby on Rails — 2 years; Perl — ~6 months; Java with JNI — ~6 months
  • Python — actively developing; C++11/14/17 including lambdas
  • iOS personal projects in Swift; AWS DynamoDB push-payment apps

Career Goals

  • Project Manager / Scrum Master in an Agile environment
  • Software Development Lead / Manager
  • DevOps — combines dev experience with MIS degree
  • Long-term: Delivery Manager, Transition Manager, or Solutions Architect
Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions

I am looking to restart my project management and software engineering career after a hiatus. I have solid C/C++ systems programming experience, a fresh MIS degree from UNC (Summa Cum Laude), and hands-on Freshservice implementation work. My long-term goal is Delivery Manager or Solutions Architect. I understand I need to earn my way back and I'm ready to do that.
Yes — given the right support, project, and manager. I went back to school for MIS management because I believe I make a more effective operations manager by leading others to do their best. But my software background is real, and I would take a dev role where I can genuinely contribute. I am not looking for a top-tier slot, just a chance to prove myself again.
I was laid off during the Microsoft 10% layoffs in 2009. After an unsuccessful search for a new software role, I changed focus entirely — doing filmmaking, screenwriting, charity work, an online antique store, travel, brewing school, wedding chauffeuring, and personal iOS app development. "The Phoenix Project" eventually brought me back to software.
I completed my BAS degree in December 2018. Since then: Google Project Management and Data Analytics certificates, Agile/Scrum study, modern C++ (11/14/17), Swift for iOS, Python, and active iPhone app development using AWS DynamoDB. I expect any team I join to value continuous learning — I certainly do.
I wanted to try something completely different. During brewing school a professor handed me Eliyahu Goldratt's "The Goal," which shifted my thinking from worker to manager. That led me to "The Phoenix Project," which brought me back to software development and delivery.
I would like to manage a DevOps team — I enjoy the problem-solving challenges that work provides. Eventually I would love to work as a Delivery or Transition Manager, or Solutions Architect. CTO is not my preferred path as I don't currently have the financial background for that without an MBA.
Opportunities

What I'm Looking For

Seeking the right role to restart and grow — bringing deep technical experience and fresh management skills to a team that values both.

Target Roles

Where I Fit Best

🖥

Freshservice Administrator

Certified Freshservice Expert with real implementation experience. Comfortable with configuration, workflow design, agent setup, integrations, and stakeholder training. Currently studying for Freshdesk Expert certification.

📋

Project Manager / Scrum Master

Google-certified PM who has managed real-world software delivery projects. I understand both the engineering and business sides, making me an unusually grounded PM.

DevOps / Delivery Manager

My MIS degree and development background combine naturally for DevOps. I want to build and lead teams that ship reliably, improve continuously, and serve the business well.

💻

Software Developer / Engineer

15+ years in C/C++ systems programming, now adding Python. Happy to re-enter as a developer given the right project and manager — I know I'll need to earn my place and I'm ready for that.

Location Preferences

Open to Southern US or Europe

Cities like Austin, Raleigh, and Charleston would be great. London or Malta would be fine too.

Austin, TXRaleigh, NC Charleston, SCLondon, UK MaltaRemote

"You have Software Engineer experience — would you consider working as a Developer?"

I am at a career crossroads. I went back to school for IT MIS management as I believe I would make a very effective operations manager who is more valuable by leading others to do their best. At the same time, my background in software development is still relevant, and I would consider working as a developer given the right support, project, and manager.

North Carolina

Notary Public Services

Professional Loan Signing Agent serving Henderson, Transylvania, and parts of southern Buncombe County. Available most reasonable hours and distances.

10+
Years Notary Public
500+
Loan Signings
5+
Yrs Signing Agent
3
Counties Covered
What I Handle

Services Offered

🏠

Real Estate Closings

Refinances (Refi's), seller transactions, purchases, and HELOCs. I handle all paperwork with professionalism and precision to keep your closing on track.

📜

Titles & Wills

Title signings and will execution with the care these important documents deserve. Everything properly witnessed and notarized.

🏥

Hospice & Care Facilities

More than willing to attend to hospice care, hospitals, and convalescent care facilities. Patient, discreet, and respectful in every sensitive appointment.

📍

Coverage Area

Serving Henderson, Transylvania, and parts of southern Buncombe County. Available most reasonable hours — call to confirm availability for your location.

Ready to Schedule?
Call or email to check availability for your signing appointment.
📞 828 290 4446
The Person Behind the Work

About Race P. Vanderdecken

Consultant, author, notary, and lifelong learner — based in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Background

A Career of Reinvention

I am a seasoned technologist who has deliberately chosen to restart from the ground up. After 15+ years in C/C++ systems programming and development management, I took time to explore other passions before returning with fresh eyes and an MIS degree.

My unique path has made me more empathetic to both the human and technical sides of every project. I know what it means to build things, to manage people, to serve clients, and to start over. That breadth is my competitive advantage.

Today I focus on Freshservice implementation and consulting, helping organizations get real value from their ITSM investments. I also serve the Hendersonville community as a Notary Public and Loan Signing Agent, and continue writing books that share what I've learned.

Contact
📍 Hendersonville, NC 28739
Legal
Privacy Policy
Legal Notice
© 2026 Race P. Vanderdecken
Quick Links
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→ Published Books
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Reach Out

Let's Work Together

Whether you need Freshservice implementation help, notary services, or just want to connect — I'd love to hear from you.

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Available for consulting engagements, implementation projects, and notary public services in the Hendersonville, NC area.

📍
Location
Hendersonville, NC 28739
United States