My software development path
I have been developing software for clients since 1980, my first paid consulting job was a billing system developed on a TRS-80 while I was a sophomore in college. I had never seen or touched any kind of computer until my freshmen year (1978), my first computer class as a Chemistry major instantly got me hooked. (Our only access as students that fall was a single teletype terminal with paper-tape storage connected to a larger university system in the area.) I switched to a Business major because they were beginning to develop an Information Systems major and offered several software courses at the time.
After graduating from Cedarville College in 1982 I took a job at the college as a programmer. Over the course of the next 14 years I moved between positions, picked up whatever languages and tools were useful and fun, started a consulting and contract programming partnership with my boss, and greatly enjoyed watching the computing programs and facilities grow. In 1996, in order to stay on the technical side of things, I took a job with a defense contractor in the area doing logistics R&D work for the Air Force using Borland’s Delphi (my favorite tool at the time). From there I quickly moved into doing work in Java, and in 1998 I went off on my own.
Since 1998 I have done work for a dozen or so different clients: lots of Java, some Delphi, some C, a smattering of other stuff, and now iOS. I have been blessed to work on a great variety of projects, from web applications to autonomous software agents to manufacturing and accounting systems. Much of my work has been Java based, but in the fall of 2009 I began moving into iOS work. I did work for my first iOS client in early 2010 and currently split my time between my personal iOS projects, my java clients, and my iOS clients.
My life
I was raised near Chicago in a blue-collar neighborhood, spending lots of our summers camping or visiting family across the country. I met my beautiful wife, Sandy, while in college, and we have four grown children. My oldest presented us with our first grandson, Eric, in the summer of 2010 and we really enjoy being grandparents! My youngest joined her older brothers at Cedarville University in the fall of 2010, so we have moved into the “empty nest” phase of life. I miss having the kids at home, but look forward to what God will bring to Sandy and me in the future.
The most important thing in my life is my relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. I believe he created me and saved me for a purpose, and what I do revolves around serving him through my life, my family, and my work. I believe he gave me the desire and ability to excel in my field, and I work hard to learn and grow and please him with how I use his gifts to me.
My primary professional goal is to be the best developer and businessman for his sake, showing passion and integrity in every project and interaction with others. Since Christ values people more than things, I want to value people and relationships more than possessions and projects — I hope that comes across in every piece of work I do and every conversation I have.
