Biography
My life's work
I believe that life has a way of telling us what to do. For years, I worked full time in Information Technology and Electronics, working for firms such as Disney, Alesis, and Avid.
Beginning in the 1990's, I also began helping my friends and their acquaintances with their technology needs. I learned that I was a natural at it—fluent with the technology and also gifted in helping my clients learn, feel comfortable, and succeed in their endeavors.
The gratitude that I have received from my clients has been absolutely wonderful. The excitement and the relief that my clients so often experience when they begin to master their technology makes me feel fantastic.
Gradually, the amount of consulting I did increased through word-of-mouth referrals, and in the late 2000's I realized that this was the work that I should be doing exclusively.
I purposely keep my practice small and intimate. I don't have staff; I don't want to "grow my business." I simply want to continue doing what has worked so well for me and the people I help: coming to clients' homes, understanding their needs, and helping them achieve their own goals with modern technology.
I am fluent with Windows and Mac systems. I do not work with the more esoteric technologies like Linux. My role is to help regular people use current, standard technology.
History
I was born and raised in near-idyllic conditions in Portland, Oregon. After high school, I moved to Boston, Massachusetts to attend Tufts University and The New England Conservatory of Music. I graduated from both schools in 1989 with summa cum laude honors. That summer, I moved to the Los Angeles region, where I have lived ever since.
In Los Angeles, I pursued a music career and also continued my technology training. I received a certificate in database operations from UCLA Extension and worked my way up the career ladder from Systems Analyst at Schaeffer Magnetics to Operations Manager at Disney to Vice President at Dynamics Direct.
Following that stint, I redirected my energies to managing new product development in the audio technology field, working for the Alesis, Numark, M-Audio, Akai Professional, and Ion Audio brands. I am encouraged by the number of albums that have been recorded on equipment which I helped bring to market.
Personal life
I met my wife, Pam (whose website is here), in 1999. We were married in 2001, and we live, with our dog Sadie, in Santa Monica.
I do my best in life to integrate all the things I love to do: tutor, study computers, make music, spend time with my wife, read, and enjoy our friends. I feel very lucky with all of the good things I have in life.