About Me

I grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado doing the usual things kids do. I played soccer, I joined Cub Scouts, and I hung out with the neighborhood kids. These were good years and I have very fond memories of the friendships that were created.

During junior high school, my parents purchased a brand new Apple II Plus. I spent many hours developing programs to make "art" on that leading edge machine. Little did I know at the time that it would influence the rest of my life.

My high school years also contain many fond memories. In high school I continued playing soccer, except for my Junior year when I was sidelined from a torn ACL.

My passion for computers continued to grow, and I took all the computer classes that were offered at the high school.

Go Buffs!!!

Attending University of Colorado at Boulder was an easy decision. They had a Computer Science department in the School of Engineering, which would give me a solid foundation on which to build my career.

The biggest reason I choose CU was Boulder itself. It was close to home (Fort Collins), but not "that" close. Boulder also had that "cool" factor I was looking for.

During the spring of my freshman year, I joined Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. This decision turned out to be one of the most important events in my life.

Unlike a lot of my peers, I graduated from college without a lot of resume content. So, when I got my first job as a computer programmer in Fort Collins, I was very grateful for the opportunity to prove I had what it took to contribute to society.

After a couple of years, I bought a book on the Colorado Trail, and before I realized it, I was mentally making plans to backpack it straight through.

Thirty three days of solo backpacking through the heart of Colorado turned out to be the most physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging experience I have ever had.

It firmly solidified the concept that if you set your mind on a goal, achieving that goal is just a matter of day to day accomplishments that connect the dots.

Very empowering.

After the Colorado Trail, I needed a change of scenery, so I worked a couple of programming jobs in the Denver area.

During this time I lived west of Boulder and then in the heart of downtown Denver.

When the job in Denver ended, I felt the urge to become a local at a ski area. I got the support from the parents to take "sabbatical" from my career path and applied for a ski lift operator at Vail.

The first month I received "Lift Operator of the Month" Woohoo!!!

This was not the most mentally stimulating job I have ever had, but the powder days more than made up for the lack of use of the gray matter.

After the ski season was done, I applied for an hourly contract programming position posted in the newspaper.

It quickly became apparent that programmers get paid significantly more than ski lift operators.

At this company, I worked on several diverse and interesting projects. On one project, I was given the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong on business. I ended up going to Hong Kong on business four times. It put a taste for travel in my mouth that just won't go away.

I acquired enough Frequent Flyer miles from the Hong Kong trips to take a free trip to Australia. This trip ended up being an amazing three-month adventure down under. The Overland Track in Tasmania was one of my all time favorite backpack trips.

I also met a special mate down under that I still email regularly.

On my return to the United States, I completed several more contract projects.

Between my contract jobs, I ended up taking a trip to Costa Rica.

I also lived with some friends in the New York area.

On a train ride back from New York, I stopped by Boston and fell in love with the place. I decided to pack up my truck full of my belongings and head out there without job or a place to live.
I ended up finding a fun place in Beacon Hill and a contract job at Bank Boston. Boston is an extraordinary place, but it just was not home.

My sister's wedding was the catalyst that brought me back home to Colorado, so I packed up my stuff and drove back.

The city of Boulder always seems to draw me back. I found a small cottage and lived there for over a year and a half.

During that time, I worked on several projects in the Denver, Evergreen, and Boulder areas.

But then I got the travel bug again, which took me to New Zealand and Australia.

New Zealand is the size of Colorado, but is so diverse. I would not hesitate going back there any time soon.

The focus of the trip to New Zealand was to do a lot of trekking. Many of the tracks I backpacked made my all time favorites list.

I currently live in Denver with some friends.
During the past year, I took the time to rediscover what a beautiful state Colorado is.

Some of the trips I have taken outside Colorado include two trips to New York (pre and post September 11), Mexico City, Minneapolis, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

To close, I want to leave you with one of my favorite quotes, by Henry Ford

"Whether you think you can, or think you can't… you're right."



	Chronological View of Mike's Life Colorado Native at Heart Although I was born in Ohio, I have lived in Colorado for all but the first 5 years of my life. Childhood I grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado doing the usual things kids do. I played soccer, I joined Cub Scouts, and I hung out with the neighborhood kids. These were good years and I have very fond memories of the friendships that were created. During junior high school, my parents purchased a brand new Apple II Plus. I spent many hours developing programs to make "art" on that leading edge machine. Little did I know at the time that it would influence the rest of my life. Rocky Mountain High School My high school years also contain many fond memories. In high school I continued playing soccer, except for my Junior year when I was sidelined from a torn ACL. My passion for computers continued to grow, and I took all the computer classes that were offered at the high school. University of Colorado Go Buffs!!! Attending University of Colorado at Boulder was an easy decision. They had a Computer Science department in the School of Engineering, which would give me a solid foundation on which to build my career. The biggest reason I choose CU was Boulder itself. It was close to home (Fort Collins), but not "that" close. Boulder also had that "cool" factor I was looking for. During the spring of my freshman year, I joined Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. This decision turned out to be one of the most important events in my life. First Job in Fort Collins Unlike a lot of my peers, I graduated from college without a lot of resume content. So, when I got my first job as a computer programmer in Fort Collins, I was very grateful for the opportunity to prove I had what it took to contribute to society. Colorado Trail After a couple of years, I bought a book on the Colorado Trail, and before I realized it, I was mentally making plans to backpack it straight through. Thirty three days of solo backpacking through the heart of Colorado turned out to be the most physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging experience I have ever had. It firmly solidified the concept that if you set your mind on a goal, achieving that goal is just a matter of day to day accomplishments that connect the dots. Very empowering. Denver Jobs After the Colorado Trail, I needed a change of scenery, so I worked a couple of programming jobs in the Denver area. During this time I lived west of Boulder and then in the heart of downtown Denver. Vail When the job in Denver ended, I felt the urge to become a local at a ski area. I got the support from the parents to take "sabbatical" from my career path and applied for a ski lift operator at Vail. The first month I received "Lift Operator of the Month" Woohoo!!! This was not the most mentally stimulating job I have ever had, but the powder days more than made up for the lack of use of the gray matter. Contract Programming After the ski season was done, I applied for an hourly contract programming position posted in the newspaper. It quickly became apparent that programmers get paid significantly more than ski lift operators. At this company, I worked on several diverse and interesting projects. On one project, I was given the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong on business. I ended up going to Hong Kong on business four times. It put a taste for travel in my mouth that just won't go away. Australia I acquired enough Frequent Flyer miles from the Hong Kong trips to take a free trip to Australia. This trip ended up being an amazing three-month adventure down under. The Overland Track in Tasmania was one of my all time favorite backpack trips. I also met a special mate down under that I still email regularly. More contract jobs On my return to the United States, I completed several more contract projects. Costa Rica and New York Between my contract jobs, I ended up taking a trip to Costa Rica. I also lived with some friends in the New York area. Boston On a train ride back from New York, I stopped by Boston and fell in love with the place. I decided to pack up my truck full of my belongings and head out there without job or a place to live. I ended up finding a fun place in Beacon Hill and a contract job at Bank Boston. Boston is an extraordinary place, but it just was not home. Sister getting married My sister's wedding was the catalyst that brought me back home to Colorado, so I packed up my stuff and drove back. Boulder The city of Boulder always seems to draw me back. I found a small cottage and lived there for over a year and a half. During that time, I worked on several projects in the Denver, Evergreen, and Boulder areas. New Zealand and Australia But then I got the travel bug again, which took me to New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand is the size of Colorado, but is so diverse. I would not hesitate going back there any time soon. The focus of the trip to New Zealand was to do a lot of trekking. Many of the tracks I backpacked made my all time favorites list. Denver again I currently live in Denver with some friends. During the past year, I took the time to rediscover what a beautiful state Colorado is. Some of the trips I have taken outside Colorado include two trips to New York (pre and post September 11), Mexico City, Minneapolis, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Henry Ford Quote To close, I want to leave you with one of my favorite quotes, by Henry Ford "Whether you think you can, or think you can't… you're right."