I’ve always been that guy that likes to know how things work. Not just knowing that when you push the button, things happen, you get the prize. I wanted to know what those things were and how the gears turned. As a kid growing up in Milwaukee, that meant that I would usually get in trouble for taking apart some tool or appliance. I still do that today - just with software.
I’ve spent a good portion of my career leveraging that curiosity into my work. The best part of my job is being able to dive into a problem, head first, and not only solve the problem but understand why it happened in the first place. Solutions are not just about outcomes, but about providing an ounce of prevention. I’m a big believer in Open Source software—it is what builds the web. Developers sharing the things that they have built with the greater community and allowing them to use it, extend it, or offer contributions back to the project. Not only does it allow you to build even cooler things, but it allows you to learn and ask questions. It’s such a great concept.
When I’m not at work building cool things for our clients, I’m still out exploring. I’m usually cooking something tasty, catching up on the new and cool things that the technology community has to offer, tinkering with a new piece of software, or trying to find a new thing to build. I’m also an advocate of getting involved. For me that includes professional user groups like Fox Cities PHP, Milwaukee PHP User Group, and local community events such as Amplify Oshkosh and Business After Hours. I am also privileged to be part of the Leadership Oshkosh class of 2016.
Blatant misuse of the 10 items or less line
Vodka Martini, dirty, with a couple extra olives
Christmas
Historian or Anthropologist
The roaring twenties. Everyone just seemed so happy and carefree.
Abraham Lincoln. Just to pick his brain for a few hours would be fascinating.
100. I feel like I could accomplish a lot, but I don’t want to overstay my welcome.