Lexley Shelton

When it comes to technology, Lex is a jack of all trades

Story by: Voleer Thomas

Lexley “Lex” Shelton is a jack of all trades when it comes to the technology field.

The Gainesville native has two degrees in IT (information technology) and studied theatre, business, and media. He is the coordinator of media services at Santa Fe college in the educational media studio.

Shelton said his priorities are: customer service, getting the job done correctly, and achieving success without trampling everybody else in the process. “In this field it’s difficult for some people to understand that,” Shelton said. A man with vision, he is determined to use all of his talents. “One of the major difficulties for me is patience” Shelton said. “I am a very patient person but sometimes business can test your patience because you can see where you want to go and you can see where you’re going but you’re not there yet.”

Shelton is also an entrepreneur for his network called ‘Catalyst Television Network.’ He said the 3-year project is a multi-generational style network and tailors to different people. “That’s my goal--is to have something for everybody,” Shelton said. His goal is to provide TV series, films, short films, spoken word, live comedy specials, and sports coverage on his network. He also plans on teaming up with successful channels on YouTube and incorporate them into the network. “It’s very ambitious,” Shelton said. “It’s a lot of big projects wrapped up in one.” Shelton has called it “The Untitled Project” for years.

What sparked his mind to use the word “Catalyst” as the name for the network was when he was talking to his friends and he said, “This right here might be a catalyst for change.” The word stuck with him ever since. “If things go well, it will change the face of the city and the state,” Shelton said. “This can really be the push.” Shelton said his faith keeps him going and it’s one of his strategies he uses for his success. “Even if it doesn’t work out, I’ve learned so much and I’m grateful for the opportunities,” Shelton said. “Knowing that you don’t know everything. Don’t be afraid. If you fail, dust yourself off and keep going.”

Shelton said he has multiple businesses: two IT companies, an app company, and a property management company. The businesses are called NeoFocus Entertainment, Network Solutions and Integration, Deliverance Pictures company (which takes pictures and capture video for non-profits and churches), and Happy Rage Quit which is an app he created which is similar to a video game. “Through life I realized I like a lot of things,” Shelton said. “Every time I find a need [I say], ‘I wish I could find a company that could do this. I guess I’ll start one to do it.’”

His father has his own construction company for over 30 years called M.Shelton Construction and his family owns a property management company called Shelton Properties. “I want to show young Black men that you can do other things,” Shelton said. “The smartest people in the world are the richest people in the world.” Shelton is a part of ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ at Santa Fe College and has a group of young men he mentors. He plans on creating a program for children to know film, audio sound engineering, programming, ethical hacking and making apps. “I want to be able to properly create environments where students can actually foster their learning and go to higher heights,” Shelton said.