Beyond the Code: Navigating Innovation with Keith Jetton and RazorCity IT

By Viktoria Capek

Technology and a veteran’s determination intertwine in Little Rock, Arkansas, setting the stage for a remarkable innovator. Meet Keith Jetton, the enigmatic founder and CEO of RazorCity IT, whose journey into the intricate realm of Information Technology is as riveting as the cutting-edge solutions his company provides.

It’s the neon-lit days of 1987. A young Jetton, fresh out of high school, found himself enlisting in the Air Force with a future uncertain. Little did he know that this pivotal decision would become the launching pad for a tech odyssey that defies convention.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do,” Jetton reflected, his voice echoing with the resonance of a life shaped by unexpected turns.

Stationed in the arid landscapes of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jetton’s early days in the military weren’t filled with the typical drill sergeants and combat missions. Instead, he became the maestro of chapel management, orchestrating services, managing logistics, and, interestingly, mastering the art of brewing coffee. Yet, in the quiet moments between duties, his curiosity for tech began to spark.

The last year of high school had seen Jetton working for a structural engineering firm, navigating the uncharted territories of computer drafting.

“Back then, it was very early stages of computers, PCs,” Jetton said, reminiscing about a time when the digital frontier was still in its infancy. “There wasn’t windows; it was DOS. It was a very different environment.”

Four years in the Air Force, armed with a continued intrigue in the changing tech landscape, Jetton transitioned back to civilian life. His initial steps led him back to drafting, but winds of change were whispering a different narrative.

In 1997, alongside a friend, he took a daring leap into the realm of IT entrepreneurship, fueled by a desire to carve his own destiny.

“When I was drafting, I was making an hourly rate. It was guaranteed 40 hours minimum, plus overtime. It was guaranteed,” Jetton said. “When I jumped over into IT, they were like, ‘Well, we’ll give you a base. We’ll give you a percentage of your hourly rate…of what you sell.’ So it wasn’t really a guarantee. It might work, it might not work. And having a family, it was something that I was not sure I should even do.”

“But I did it, and I’m glad I did it.”

As Jetton’s business grew, he embraced the changes in the IT world, moving from Windows 3.1 to the rise of cloud technologies. A crucial moment came with significant email migrations, showcasing not just his technical skills but also his ability to adapt to the industry’s transformations.

A jump to 2016, Jetton assumed leadership of RazorCity IT, marking a new chapter in his tech saga. His commitment to excellence positioned RazorCity IT as a beacon of innovation, providing cutting-edge solutions across the South Central US.

Jetton’s story continues, changing with each technological shift. In recent years, he has explored new possibilities. Jetton’s partnership with The Venture Center’s Veteran Owned Small Business Accelerator program isn’t just a business move but an exploration into untapped potential.

“I have a service that I’m trying to offer to larger companies, and it’s a cloud-only service,” Jetton explained. “So your desktop servers, everything is in a data center.”

Jetton’s collaboration with The Venture Center goes beyond strategy; it’s a chance for him to discover insights, explore new possibilities, and navigate the evolving tech landscape. His journey with RazorCity IT reflects resilience, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, revealing a man whose life is shaped by code and the spirit of innovation.

Learn more about Keith Jetton and RazorCity IT, here.