Hometown?
What are your technology specialties?
My love of all things IT started with hardware. I’ve built over 20 PCs from parts and still enjoy keeping up with all the changes. I’ve worked in network security and engineering nearly as long as I’ve been a system administrator. I realized as much as I love networking, I didn’t want to stop working with virtualization and servers. Some of the work I find most fulfilling is troubleshooting windows server and network problems. I have Microsoft and Cisco certifications and am looking forward to Microsoft’s latest Azure cloud certifications.
What professional events do you participate in, or what skills or accomplishments have you attained, that sets you apart?
What was your first memory of using computers?
When I was 11 my dad would bring home old broken computers from the town recycling center. I’d take them apart and cobble together parts until I could make one that would start up. I also loved using our family’s Apple Power Macintosh 6100, creating art masterpieces in MacDraw and KidPix.
What was the last great book you read?
The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy. This book presents a fascinating view of the historical patterns over the past few hundred years. It makes the case for modern human history that time is cyclical, coming in seasons or “turnings” each lasting 20-25 years. The book was written in 1997 and following its theory predicted we would be in the fourth turning, Chaos, from 2005 – 2025/2030. It gives me hope and is a reminder that the current chaos will come to an end, we will make it through to a new season of calm and reason.
What is something unique about you?
In 2022 my family found an old photo of me for sale on ebay and bought it for me. Many years ago a photographer had taken a picture of me, with my parents permission, sitting at a computer in a children’s museum. The photographer had written my name and the date on the back. It was an odd experience seeing my own name in an ebay listing!
What would you do if you had an extra 5 hours every week?
With good weather I’d spend the extra time kayaking. If not, reading something historical/non-fiction, watching documentaries, or playing complicated (Euro) board games with friends.
If you could go anywhere for an entire month, where would it be and why would you go there?
I’ve always wanted to take an extended trip to Japan. I’ve seen so many beautiful pictures and would want to explore as much as possible of the outdoors. Some of my must-see destinations would include: rabbit island, cat island, Kyoto, and Kinkakuji Temple. Staying for a month would be great to immerse myself in the culture, food, and a deeper understanding of their history and traditions.