Bachelor of Science,
Software Engineering
January 2019 – June 2022
Bachelor of Science,
Graphic Design
2004 – 2008
Python ● Analytics ● Machine Learning ● Java
Android Studio ● C++ ● HTML ● CSS ● MySQL
SDLC ● UML ● Scrum/Agile
Photoshop ● Illustrator ● Indesign ● Corel Suite
3D-Modeling ● Video Editing
Camping ● Fishing ● Archery ● Skeet/Trap
Martial Arts ● Painting ● Drawing
Photography ● Video Games ● Cooking Concerts/Festivals ● Traveling
I was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on January 27th of 1986. My mother served in the banking industry for most of her adult life, she built many relationships with people throughout the Chippewa Valley and is well respected in the community. I’ve learned a lot from her over the years on managing my finances, filing taxes, banking, home mortgages and so much more. My father was an electrical engineer for Cray Research, one of the pioneering companies advancing super computers, located at the time in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. My father introduced me to technology at a young age. He often brought home projects for my sister and I to work on. We were soldering various components on printed circuit boards not long after we could talk. Much of those skills have since faded — my father passed from a brain aneurysm in ’93 — but the passion for technology he kindled in me still lives on to this very day.
In 2008 I graduated with a Bachelors of Science from the Art Institute. Over the next year I worked freelance for Bracketron doing technical illustrations. Inevitably moving back to my home town. On moving back I worked as a computer consultant at our local Best Buy. All though I admittedly wasn’t the best salesman I was one of the most knowledgeable members of my department. My first full time job as a Graphic Designer was running a print shop at Metropolis Resort. I did posters and custom t-shirts for the resort as well as grew our external clients. Over the next decade or so I worked at various companies doing graphic design mostly in printed advertising.
A good friend of mine had moved to Las Vegas, wanting a fresh start I decided to travel across the country making stops along the way to visit family and do some job hunting. My first stop was in Oklahoma to visit family. They treated me to many adventures, we went horseback riding, shot targets, went fishing. Two weeks had quickly passed and I was back in the car driving to Colorado. The drive through Kansas was less than to be desired, flat fields for miles. I teared up a little when I saw the first tree about 5 hours after entering Kansas. The landscape slowly began changing and on the horizon what looked like clouds grew into the continental divide. I was awestruck, you see this was the first time I had ever laid eyes on a mountain.
My destination was Evergreen, a beautiful community surrounded by mountains. the area was scattered with fields of cattle, and forests of aspen and evergreens. Nestled at the foot of my destination was a beautiful little lake, I fell in love! Throughout the week we journeyed to my first 14Ker, Mount Evans, we went camping, and I learned to fly fish! My uncle even showed me how to tie a fly. I found the sport extremely cathartic. The time flew by and it was on to sin city, viva Las Vegas!
After a 12 hour drive to Vegas in the middle of summer without air conditioning I was exhausted, but I had just arrived and my buddy was ready to show me the time of my life, and he did! He worked for Anheuser-Busch out in Vegas and was able to scrounge up tickets to various events going on at the time. Over the next few weeks he would bring me to an exclusive Bud Light Pool Party on the top of a high rise. We would see a US Olympic Basketball scrimmage, go to a Blink-182/American Rejects concert, spend a great night in an ankle deep wading pool listening to UB40 sing “Red Red Wine”, drink copious amounts of alcohol and eat amazing food, I had the time of my life! I couldn’t help but tell him of my recent adventures while I was there and how beautiful it was in Colorado; I knew I wanted to move there! As my friend escorted me to my car he asked me if I would like him to reach out to some people he knew in Colorado to see if there was any job openings, how could I refuse!
A month or so had passed after arriving back home, summer was quickly passing by and I hadn’t given much thought on my buddies proposal, that was until my phone rang, I picked up the phone…
After applying for the position I was given an interview over the phone, they wanted me in Colorado Springs following Labor Day, It was a dream come true! I had so much to do in so little time! I rented an apartment near where I worked without ever seeing it! I donated all my furniture to a local charity packed most of my possessions into a Pontiac Grand Am that was stuffed to the gills, and hit the road! I spent the next two years in Colorado Springs and loved every minute of it! When I wasn’t working as a graphic designer I helped around town with merchandising and working events. It was amazing getting paid to go to concerts and festivals!
A little shy of my two year work anniversary I was told that the printed advertising department was being relocated to Denver, Colorado. After applying for one of the open positions in Denver and getting the position I moved. After a few months had passed I had decided I wanted new challenges in my life, I wanted to begin a new chapter. I enrolled at Colorado Technical University in January of 2019 for a Bachelors of Science in Software Engineering. I originally attended classes on campus, but eventually switched to online to avoid traffic. Throughout the Covid pandemic I was relatively unaffected in my daily life, alcohol was considered a necessity. Being already over a year into my studies I had developed good habits and was dedicated and focused on learning as much as I could about software development.
In 2021 with about a year of schooling left I formed a company with two other partners. It was challenging juggling a full time job along with my most challenging year of school, and founding a software and web development company. Many thought I was crazy, to be fair they thought I was crazy going back to school in my 30’s. In both circumstances I was undeterred. I knew I was capable, and I knew that the only way I would become the software engineer I wanted to be, was to fully immerse myself in developing and learn from others who had more experience than myself.
I graduated in June of 2022 with my Bachelors of Science in Software Engineering. During my academic career I worked on a capstone project with 5 other students majoring in Computer Science. I was fortunate enough to be elected by my team to be Scrum Master for our project. I learned a great deal in that process, not only was I Scrum Master but as one of two Software Engineer majors in our group, I took a lead role in designing our system, utilizing various UML diagrams. Throughout the process I also helped mentor other students, which I really enjoyed, and hope that one day my career will allow for. I graduated from CTU top of my class, Summa Cum Laude, with a 3.98 GPA! I’m excited on the journey ahead, the new chapter in my life, I can’t wait to share all that I’ve learned and the adventures I’ve seen! For now, to be continued…
This is a personal portfolio dedicated to software and web development projects. It also serves as a blog of various research and tutorials focused on software engineering.
