About

I’ve always hated writing an autobiography for this page. So instead, I’ll share some tidbits about my life, and you can make your own conclusions.

I’ve had this website since October 2008.

As a kid, I wanted to be both a garbage man and a farmer – my father and grandfather’s professions at the time. I still think these are both admirable goals.

I currently live in Dowagiac, Michigan, after finishing up a ten-year stint in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

I started dating my now wife (Melonie) over 20 years ago. So, I guess we get along pretty well.

I have three sons – Henry, Samuel, and Timothy who are pretty fun to hand out with.

I have a dog (Maya) who “works” with me every day by sleeping next to my desk.

I used to hate cats, but then Sophia came along and changed my mind. Now, another cat (Sabrina) lives in our basement and tolerates me being down there too as long as I stay in my office.

Work

I like to make things and use technology to make people’s lives a little easier.

I’m a full-stack engineer. I like working on every aspect of web development, from database structure to design. Lately, a few of the things I’ve enjoyed working on are Backstage, micro-frontends, and design systems.

Currently, I work as a Senior Software Engineer on a platform team at ITHAKA, a nonprofit focused on improving access to education.

Before that, I spent over a decade building web applications of all kinds at Grand Valley State University.

I also ran a (very) small web development business for about 12 years.

When I get the chance, I like contributing to open-source projects, the Gutenberg editor for WordPress is one of my favorites.

In the past, I have been an: Ice Cream Scooper (actual job title), Waiter, Furniture Delivery Driver, Caterer, Computer Lab Technician, and Network Administrator.

When I’m not coding

I recently started making things with wood.

I like brewing beer, which my friends say is slightly above average.

I have a large garden and the start of a small orchard where I like to grow things for fun.

I drink a lot of tea and used to blog about it.

Random things that make me sound more exciting than I really am

I’ve gone skydiving and white-water rafting.

Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch – well, that might be a stretch, but I’m working on it.

Enter the Konami code on gvsu.edu you can play the 8-bit JavaScript game I created with my coworkers: “Legend of Louie.

I grew up on a pig farm. We also had at various times up to 8 cats (outside), a dog, 2 goats, and a horse.

I completely rewired our first house, which was built in 1920. I only shocked myself once, and it was replacing a light bulb after I finished with all the wiring.

I completed an Olympic-length Triathlon.

I’ve trained at various point in my life in both Muay Thai and Krav Maga.

Yo hablo un poco Español. (En verdad, yo estudió español en escuela y yo no recuerdo mucho.)

I rode my bike across the entire state of Michigan, on a 1970’s Schwinn I got off Craigslist for $50.

I love to travel: 26 states and 11 different countries so far.