Bio
Bio
A longer narrative of how I build software, the environments I thrive in, and the principles that guide my work.
Origin Story
In my eighth-grade year (1980), my math teacher nominated me to represent the school at a summer program for computer science. I attended and was taught BASIC on a TRS-80 model III. I was hooked and have been in front of a computer ever since.
What I Optimize For
User Experience, with the obvious need to satisfy budgetary concerns. I believe that a great user experience is the best way to ensure adoption and long-term success, and that it can be achieved without breaking the bank by making thoughtful architectural decisions and prioritizing features that deliver the most value to users.
How I Lead
I lead by example, fostering a collaborative environment where team members feel empowered to contribute their best work. I prioritize constant learning and improvement, both for myself and my team, and I believe in transparent communication and aligning on shared goals to drive success.
Guiding Principles
I have a passion for automating manual processes, and I find great satisfaction in identifying repetitive tasks and creating solutions to streamline them. Whether it's through scripting, building custom tools, or leveraging existing software, I enjoy finding ways to save time and increase efficiency for myself and others. I believe that automation can free up valuable time and resources, allowing individuals and teams to focus on more strategic and creative work. I am always on the lookout for opportunities to automate processes and improve workflows, and I take pride in my ability to create effective solutions that make a real difference in people's lives.
Continuous learning (curiosity) drives my growth and adaptability in the ever-evolving tech landscape. I embrace change and seek out new knowledge to stay ahead of industry trends and best practices. I believe that a commitment to learning is essential for personal and professional development, and it allows me to bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to the projects I work with. This is not always formal learning, but more often just watching a video or reading content on a new "thing".
Work ethic is another foundation of my approach to software engineering. I am dedicated to delivering high-quality work and meeting deadlines, and I take pride in my ability to stay focused and productive even in challenging situations. I believe that a strong work ethic is essential for success in any field, and it allows me to consistently deliver value to my clients and stakeholders.
Operating Rhythm
I generally prefer a less structured approach to work, but I understand the importance of having a consistent operating rhythm to ensure that projects are delivered on time and to a high standard. I tend to lean towards letting the project architecture evolve during the course of the project, rather than trying to define everything upfront. This allows for more flexibility and adaptability as the project progresses, and it can lead to better outcomes as we learn more about the problem we're trying to solve. I like to get parts of the user interface and user experience in front of the stakeholders early and often. Feedback should drive the project. This approach also allows for more creativity and innovation, as it encourages experimentation and iteration. I find trying to spec out 100% of a project before writing a line of code can lead to analysis paralysis and missed opportunities to discover better solutions. That being said, I do believe in having a clear vision and roadmap for the project, and I work closely with stakeholders to ensure that we're aligned on goals and priorities throughout the development process.
Outside the Terminal
Being a life long curious learner has lead me to many varied hobbies. I love tech outside of software. I have built every desktop computer for my personal use since 1997. I am also a tech gadget collector, to a fault. I have boxes of old tech -- multiple Palm Pilots, past cell phones, and even my Apple IIe with 5Mb hard disk. Outside of computers and gadgets, I am a life long woodworker and tool collector. I have recently added metal working to the enthusiasm of working with my hands. I maintain an electronics bench at home where I can put my programming to use with microcontoller projects. And last but not least, I am an AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego). I have severely slowed down on buying more Lego sets simply because I have no more room for them.