My Approach
My core philosophy is that the most resilient and successful solutions—in technology and in leadership—come from a deep understanding of first principles. My career has been dedicated to looking past the symptoms to solve the underlying systemic challenges, whether that's in a codebase, an engineering culture, or a product strategy.
This perspective wasn't formed in a boardroom. It was forged through a life of hands-on building and a relentless curiosity for how things truly work.
The "Why" Behind the Work
Three formative experiences have profoundly shaped my approach:
A 13-Year-Old Computer
My journey began not with the latest technology, but with a 13-year-old TRS-80. With no software and no operating system, only a blinking cursor, I was forced to learn by doing. This taught me to think from the bare metal up. I didn't just learn to code; I experienced the "changelog" of personal computing in fast-forward, giving me a deep, historical context and an appreciation for the enduring principles that outlast technological fads.The "Imagineer" Challenge
Every year, I build a large-scale, immersive Halloween experience from scratch for my community. This annual "no-code solution" is a masterclass in real-world systems engineering. It has taught me more about managing physical constraints, scaling under load (thousands of visitors in one night), observability, and creating a seamless user experience than any textbook ever could. It's the ultimate test of turning a vision into a resilient, working reality.The First Business
Early in my career, I assembled and managed my own team of technicians, delivering technology services to local businesses. Running my own company was a crash course in the real-world consequences of technology. There was no buffer between my decisions and the bottom line. This taught me to think like a business owner, not just an engineer—to prioritize ROI, manage client relationships directly, and understand that the best technical solution is the one that solves a real business problem sustainably.How This Translates to My Work
This background informs how I partner with every client. My goal is to:
- Build understanding, not just solutions. I focus on mentoring teams and leaders, helping them develop the skills to solve their own next set of challenges.
- Prioritize sustainable systems. I favor strategies that create resilient, long-term value over those that offer a short-term fix.
- Connect technology to the business. I ensure that every technical decision is grounded in a clear understanding of the business goals and the user's needs.
When I'm not architecting solutions or mentoring teams, you can find me obsessing over great coffee, performing at music gigs, or engineering the next Halloween build.