Hello BluTalon,

To skip the header (1st row in the array), The "For R" loop needs to start at 2. I have made the change already. You can also change the column to check by changing the variable "C". 
Sub Shading()

  Dim C As Long
  Dim CI As Long
  Dim R As Long
  Dim Rng As Range
  
    C = 9   'Column "I"

    Set Rng = ActiveSheet.Cells(StartRow, C).CurrentRegion
    
      For R = 2 To Rng.Rows.Count
        Select Case Rng.Cells(R, C)
          Case Is = "Tech"
            CI = 36
          Case Is = "Update"
            CI = 34
          Case Else
            CI = xlNone
        End Select
        With Rng
          .Range(Cells(R, 1), Cells(R, .Columns.Count)).Interior.ColorIndex = CI
        End With
      Next R
    
End Sub
Sincerely,
Leith Ross