Jay Battershell

Jay has spent much of his life in Texas, but also boomeranged around various cities like Chicago, New Orleans and Savannah before settling into his current home in Temple. Today, Jay leads McLane Intelligent Solutions, supporting information technology solutions and services for a wide range of companies across Texas.

Before moving to Temple, Jay lived in Grapevine, TX, where he worked in international consulting. When an incredible opportunity arose to grow a premier IT company right in the middle of Texas, Jay knew he couldn’t pass it up – so he moved to Temple to start working with McLane Intel.

“The location is perfect – we serve all major markets in Texas and everything in between. I was drawn to Temple by the opportunity to work with the McLane family of businesses and our shared goal to continue to be the premier IT services firm to small and mid-size businesses across Texas.”

McLane Intel designs, installs and supports information technology solutions for a wide range of companies. Jay’s primary role is to grow customer relationships and develop technical solutions and service offerings for customers. He says the company’s main goal is to “make IT work” for its customers.

“The sunrises and sunsets on our campus are absolutely stunning. I can see a lot more of the landscape and I enjoy the peaceful nature of this area. I don’t miss being in a high-rise office and the stress of sitting in traffic on my way to and from the office.”

Some McLane Intel employees have a decent 45-minute commute from Austin, but Jay’s drive to work is now only 15 minutes – which he says he doesn’t even consider a commute.

“Temple is a much smaller community than other places I’ve lived. All of our neighbors are very friendly and personable, and traffic does not exist. We love the beauty of Central Texas, with its live oaks, clear creeks, limestone and bluebonnets.”

Jay credits Baylor Scott and White for much of the area’s growth in education and health care offerings. Thanks to Baylor Scott and White, Jay says that his company is able to provide better healthcare for its employees than he has seen at any other company.

“From a family perspective, Temple is a true community for family and friends, with strong education and healthcare options, a lot of opportunities to serve others, and close proximity to major events and airports in both Austin and Dallas.”

“There is a wonderful difference in cost of living – even just having a nice dinner is a lot less expensive here. Everything from groceries to housing all costs less. Our house is beautiful with plenty of land, and we would not come close to living like this in the Dallas area.”

On the weekends, Jay enjoys attending church and taking walks or hikes in local parks or by the lake. He also loves going out to dinner with his wife in Austin, but lately, Temple has been adding some great local foodie hotspots of its own.

“We will be out to dinner in Temple and we’ll see the mayor sitting at the table next to us – that just wouldn’t happen in Dallas.”

Jay loves being involved in the local community, and says he takes pride in having a direct impact in the direction of the workforce here. Jay is a member of the Temple Chamber of Commerce and has participated in strategic planning with Ralph Wilson Youth Club. Jay also works with CEOs of other Temple companies to sponsor a program called Cyber Patriot, which helps high school students learn about cyber security. Jay and his wife Tara are also members and volunteers at First Baptist Church of Temple.