In 1977, when I first attended college, I planned to major in mathematics and minor in computer science. One semester, I enrolled in a basic computer programming course - and from the very first class, I was hooked. The logic, structure, and creative problem-solving of programming fascinated me.

Eager to learn more, I asked my professor for every programming book he could spare. He happily obliged, joking that I couldn’t possibly break anything since I didn’t yet know enough to cause harm. A few days later, after crashing the college’s computer system—twice—he admitted, “Okay, maybe you do.”

That early curiosity became a lifelong passion.

In 1994, I bought my first personal computer - a Hewlett-Packard laptop - and began exploring new programming languages. One in particular captured my attention: ColdFusion, an innovative web development platform that allowed developers to build dynamic, data-driven websites.

By 2000, I was leading a team of twelve developers as Director of Internet Software for WildCard Systems, where we designed and developed web-based financial applications. I managed multi-million-dollar software projects, including online payroll, gift card, and incentive platforms that served national clients.

In 2005, I joined DSG as a contractor supporting the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). There, I led the migration of SBA applications from legacy systems to ColdFusion 6.1 and Sybase 12.5, helping modernize critical financial and reporting applications. Over the years, I served in multiple roles within the SBA, eventually becoming a full-time employee, continuing to lead modernization efforts, strengthen system security, and mentor other developers.