From Builder to Leader: My Journey in Tech
I believe the best technical leaders are those who never lose their passion for the craft. For me, that craft has always been about solving interesting problems with code. My journey in tech didn’t start with a desire to manage people; it started with a love for building things.
For over 15 years, I was a hands-on software engineer, building robust systems across a wide range of industries, including finance, banking, energy, compliance, and security. Those years in the code, solving diverse problems in complex domains, taught me the fundamentals of system design, the importance of clean architecture, and the discipline of seeing a project through from a blank file to a production release. That experience is the foundation of my leadership philosophy today.
The Shift: Empowering People
The transition to management was a deliberate one. I realized that the problems I wanted to solve were becoming bigger than what I could build alone. My focus shifted from solving problems with code to solving them through people. My goal became to empower developers, to create an environment where they could do their best work, and to build teams that were more than the sum of their parts.
This is what I love about being a leader: teaching and mentoring, fostering a culture of accountability, and clearing the path so that talented engineers can focus on what they do best. I still write code, and my passion for cloud technology and automation keeps me grounded in the daily realities of modern software development.
Beyond the Keyboard: Projects, Family, and Travel
When I’m not leading teams or experimenting in my homelab, I’m usually planning the next adventure with my wife and son. Traveling has a way of putting complex problems into perspective. It teaches you about planning, adapting to the unexpected, and the importance of the journey itself.These are lessons that are just as valuable in a sprint planning meeting as they are in an airport.
This passion for building and exploring extends to our family projects. We love to create things together, whether it’s a piece of software to plan our next trip or a new gadget for our home. These projects are more than just a hobby; they’re a way to blend my love for technology with my love for my family, and you’ll see them reflected in the posts on this blog.
This space is where I’ll share that entire journey from the technical insights, the leadership lessons, and the stories from our family projects and travels.
Let’s Connect
I’m always open to connecting with fellow engineering leaders, developers, and tech enthusiasts. You can find me on LinkedIn , X , and GitHub .