Graduated Purdue University in 1990 with a Computer Science degree, moved to Seattle and joined Asymetrix Corporation (a Paul Allen company) working as a software tester and jr. developer on ToolBook 1.5 and 3.0. Left Asymetrix to start a company called Software Testing Laboratories (ST Labs, Inc.) that grew from 3 co-founders to 250 employees and six offices nationwide (sold in 1998).
Independent consultant as a program manager on Microsoft Visual Test 4.0b (sale of tool to Rational Software / IBM). Authored two books on software testing with Microsoft Visual Test.
Started in 1998 to focus on simulating high server loads for e-commerce companies. Completed successful engagement with eToys, Inc., and immediately sold the company to a software security company.
Joined a new start-up called Crossport Systems, Inc., as their VP of Engineering. Drove PM spec and dev design meetings to create the "Pivio" firewall appliance (company funded for $5MM). (In 1999 personal firewalls were unheard of. In 2000 Netgear, 2wire, and others were starting to come on the scene with firewalls built into their home gateways/routers). Company was later sold to Motorola/Metrowerks.
Lots of miscellaneous consulting and travel ensued.
Had some friends ask me if I was interested in working on some cool new software testing tools.
Developer Division ("DevDiv")
Recruited by Microsoft in 2003 to join the Visual Studio team to add new software testing tools to their IDE. This also included integration into the new Team Foundation Server as part of the Visual Studio 2005 Team System product line.
Office / Business Division
In 2005 joined the small, start-up group working on Microsoft Office Live. This web service offering focused on small businesses (25 people or less) helping them obtain domains, build websites, host email, all for free. Additional services offered (such as more storage space, additional domains, etc.) for additional fees. "Workspaces" was added which was essentially "hosted SharePoint" (file sharing, templates, and workflow). Part of my assignment included a 3-month stint in Hyderabad, India. After a strong review and promotion, left Microsoft in November 2009 to deal with family issues.
Thought hard about returning to Microsoft in January 2010 (assuming they'd take me back), but decided to explore PetHub, Inc., a service creating a marketplace for pet service providers and pet owners to help people raise happy, healthy pets. PetHub was incorporated in February 2010, received initial angel funding, spec'd/designed, and hired a dev team in March. Launched an Alpha version of the site in May 2010.
That brings us to present day. Starting in June you will see at least 1 (hopefully 2) interns helping keep PetHub moving along to a beta release in mid-August. (See also the PetHub Blog as well as our Facebook fan page).
Fanatical about snow skiing and boarding. This past season (2009/2010) I joined the Mission Ridge Ski Patrol and learned more about that mountain in 3 months than I had in the 10 years I'd been skiing it. As of May 15 I'm still hiking up to snow and off to Mt. Hood in early June. Also a huge fan of travel (see also my Couchsurfing profile). Of course, with all of this activity, I need a way to find trusted pet sitters quickly and easily. So, PetHub was born which is also taking up a lot of my personal time (happily!). In free time (ha!) I enjoy movies, camping, hiking, and being around my lady Lorien. Hope to meet many of you soon.