Hobbies

Drumming

Drumming has been my preferred form of expression since I was 10. Sitting down at my first drum set, sticks in hand, I remember a sense of exhilaration while discovering all the sounds that could be made with just a handful of drums and cymbals. The physicality of it was cathartic and left me feeling relaxed and satisfied. I only recently learned that drumming actually impacts your brain functioning in the areas responsible for perception, memory, speech, decision making, and much more.

Video Editing

Editing can make or break a story. It sets the tone, controls the mood, and deliberately guides the viewer's emotions through every twist and turn. According to Alfred Hitchcock, "creation is based on an exact science of audience reactions" so anticipating audience expectations is key. Editing is a series of tiny, calculated choices that either add to or take away from the journey; a good editor is empathetic enough to tell the difference. The next time you watch your favorite movie you can thank the editors for thinking of you.

Games

I love games! Its a great chance to unwind, goof around with friends and familiy, and keep your mind sharp. Games are proven to increase your muscle control, memory, perception, and spatial navigation. From board games to video games, you can boost your brain's grey matter just by playing more.

Writing

Writing is an excellent creative outlet. Whether you're into short stories or journaling, taking time to put your thoughts and ideas down on paper will bring peace to your mind, calm your thoughts and emotions, and can ease your stress. You're even left with something unique to share with others. You can read one of my short stories here.

Now that you know a bit about me, check out some of my projects!

The Great Tree

Long ago, deep in the mountains, perched atop the highest cliff, where the Wind howled and raged in protest, there lived a Tree. She was one of the Great Trees, reaching dangerously, rebelliously into the face of the Wind and right over the cliff’s edge. Strong and beautiful. But beautiful is too shallow a word for her. This Tree had true Beauty.

The Tree lived upon the cliff for as long as anyone can remember. Some say hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. It was a hard life for the Tree, who was relentlessly battered and beaten by the Wind. Her leaves were ripped and sparse, her branches broken and twisted, her trunk knotted and gnarled. But all those who knew the Tree said her Beauty was something that could be felt. It would resonate inside you like the vibrous rumble of thunder, or when one hears the truth spoken after years of lies. Whispers of hope spread, saying that the Tree even gave Beauty to those who journeyed to see her.

One by one they sought out the Tree hoping she would reveal some secret to becoming beautiful. But they were each surprised. For when they approached the Tree their minds were silenced by the weight of all her years, the sorrow of all her scars, the power of her steady strength, the joy of all her outstretched branches. But what they remembered most of all was feeling their burdens lift and their lies fall away at being seen by the Tree. She could see and feel many things from high up on the cliff, and knew many things. But the Tree did not use this to cast judgement on them. Instead, she lent them her sight and shamelessly shared with them her wounds and scars. It was in the Tree’s acceptance and openness that the people felt her saying ‘I see You, and You are Enough’. This, above all else, compelled them to go see the world, and themselves, anew. In this way, the people’s adoration of the Tree spread.

But all this time the Wind was there watching, trying to dissuade the people from climbing the steep path up the cliff. Seeing the people adore her Strength and Beauty made him jealous. Couldn’t they see through her lies?

“I am the one who ripped her leaves, broke her branches and twisted her trunk!”, wailed the Wind. “I am the one they should be thanking! I am the one they should adore! If they think she is beautiful because of her strength to survive then I will show them what real strength it took to create that accursed Tree in the first place! If strength and power they love then soon I will make them bow to me!”, howled the Wind as he rushed away.

That night, the Wind gathered himself up from every direction and spun into a terrible storm. The sky grew black and the clouds swirled high overhead. Lightning flashed and thunder bellowed across the land. It was the most terrible, most desperate Storm the people had ever seen. Far below the cliff, the Tree saw only darkness torn by flashes of blinding light. She watched helplessly as the destruction of the village came like images. Devastation spreading one glimpse at a time. The villagers ran for cover and cowered from the Wind against the base of the cliff, kneeling and bowing down to the ground with their arms over their heads for protection. The Wind stripped away nearly all of Tree’s leaves, and many of her branches were cracked and broken. Some of them would surely die. Others might eventually heal, leaving behind more knots and scars. The storm raged on for most of the night until the Wind finally tired. Having spent his rage he blew away to rest, leaving behind the rain and clouds who slowly wandered off without the Wind’s great strength to hold them together.

By morning the land was quiet and calm. The clouds were now gone and the sun peered over the edge of the distant mountains, oblivious to what the Wind had done. The Tree reached out her broken branches towards the Sun’s gaze. She saw the people below gathering their scattered things trying to figure out how to return their lives to what they once were. She was surprised to see a young woman approaching who had stumbled her way up the path to the top of the cliff.

The woman sat on a dead stump nearby — there were more of those now. She placed her head in her hands and began weeping. Her shoulders shook and she gasped for breath between sobs. After a time she sat up and stared out at the sky, wet and shivering. She told Tree how her family was lost in the storm, how her home was destroyed, and how she was left with nothing. As she finished speaking, drops of water warmed by the sun gently showered her, falling like tears from Tree’s few remaining leaves.

Eventually the young woman rose and walked away. At the edge of the clearing she turned to the Tree and said “Thank you, Great Tree, for giving me hope all these years. If you can live in the face of this Wind, perhaps I can too.” With that, she turned and left.

Meanwhile the Wind had returned. He blew himself straight up to the tree and right into her branches. “Tree!,” screamed the Wind as he scowled, “I have blown off all your leaves, but you fight against me. I have broken many of your branches, and you continue to fight. I have bent and twisted your trunk, and even then you fight. I have destroyed many of your neighbors, but still you keep fighting! Why must you fight and defy me!?”

“Fight?”, asked the Tree, seeming to just take notice of the Wind. “Fight? You do not threaten me anymore, Wind. When I was a sapling you wielded your power over me. With all your might you tried to destroy me. And you nearly did.” The Tree thought for a moment.

“You have the entire sky to yourself, Wind. Why do you try to take this little bit from me? Why do you fight?”, she asked. The Wind did not answer. Instead he began to whirl and wail against the cliff rock, searching desperately for a crack to exploit, thrashing with all the rage of a wild beast.

“My roots are deep and strong,” she said, “firmly anchored from years of effort, decades of intention, secure as stone. You cannot harm me. Of that I am certain.” The Tree rested calmly, leaning her broken branches toward the glow of the rising sun.

Strength. Beauty.

“I am sorry that you mistake my existence for defiance. I am a tree, Wind. Day by windy day, inch by broken inch, I simply grow towards the light. And you have no power over that.”

She is one of the Great Trees. Strong and Beautiful. But she is not alone. If you look, you will find Great Trees everywhere.

Projects

Building Model Navigation

Created a visual navigation system rather than relying on drop-down menus with this interactive custom building model. Each area of the building highlights when hovered over and the name of that area appears above your mouse pointer. Made by me using TGML, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and MagicaVoxel.


Steelcase Chiller System - From engineering to final UI/graphic

Created graphics for the chiller system at the Steelcase office building in Grand Rapids, MI and connected them to the sensor data network. Made by me using TGML, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.


Energy Dashboard

Integrated a web dashboard using graph components bound to live data points in a building automation server. The customer used this to get a snapshot of thier energy usage. Made by me using TGML, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.


Multi-Campus Navigation

Created all UI, Navigation and Graphics for accessing real-time data on all of the mechanical equipment for a multi-campus college. You can get to any piece of equipment in any building in four clicks or less. Made by me using TGML, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.


Unhappy Flappers

A drag-n-shoot bird launching game made by me.

  • Tools: Unity, C#, Adobe Illustrator, VS Code
  • Skills: Managing multiple files/resources/objects/scripts that interact with each other


    • Ping

    An intense paddle battle game: 1v1 or 1vAI with multiple skill levels

  • Tools: Unity, C#, Adobe Illustrator, VS Code
  • Skills: Exposure to AI programming, coding logic of game rules and score keeping

    • If you're interested in my work, why not look at my resume!

    Resume

    I'm not looking for another job.
    I'm looking for a place to make an impact.
    A resume is not a list of hard skills.
    It is a map representing a journey, a mindset and a wake rippling across the world.

    Work History

    Envoy B2B

    Full Stack Web Developer | Nov 2022 - Present

    I've learned a lot yet still have lots to learn. I'm getting used to not knowing everything being the norm in this field. Full Stack dev'ing is not for the faint of heart.

    Junior Full Stack Web Developer | Oct 2021 - Oct 2022

    As the first Jr Dev at Envoy I need to take the initiative in reaching out for help and determining what is a productive use of my time. With lots of drive but lots to learn my time is a balance of pairing with Sr Devs (from the driver's seat), learning to navigate a large and complex code base, and focusing on cementing core concepts by building deliberate side projects.

    Tech

    • React | Node | MongoDB | Angular | JavaScript | PDF/Excel Exports | AWS | Git/GitHub | VS Code | Studio 3T

    Accomplishments:

    • Actively coding FE and BE bug fixes, features, and familiarizing myself with Envoy’s code base and tech stack
    • Rewrite and refactor Angular components into React components
    • Balanced time spent pairing with Sr Devs and working independently
    • Learning by following my curiosity and cementing relevant concepts with side projects
    • Using my former management experience to advocate for scheduled developer time focused on maintenance tasks - not just feature dev - to prevent (or minimize) unexpected roadblocks
    • Contributing good humor and camaraderie to Envoy by implementing timely gifs on Slack - the measured ROI of a good gif is at least one forceful nose exhale from a co-worker (I also count my own)

    Grand Valley Automation

    UI/Graphic Designer | May 2017 - May 2021

    Tasked with overhauling GVA's UI and graphics I pioneered a new position to bring their site designs out of the 90's and into a dynamic, user-friendly and mobile compatible format. See the 'Featured' section of my LinkedIn profile for examples.

    Accomplishments:

    • Overhauled entire web interface and graphics as the only dev/designer on staff (a new position for GVA)
    • Researched and self-taught the languages and software needed to succeed:
      • TGML, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, JSON, SQL, some scripting (PHP)
      • Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, REVIT, Sketchup, Blender, EcoStruxure
    • Developed custom, responsive, mobile-friendly Building Automation sites with JavaScript, HTML and CSS libraries based on client sales contracts, feature requests, and feedback
    • Created custom interactive components using JavaScript
    • Presented wireframes and prototypes for interactive touch-screen kiosks
    • Contributed to GVA’s Remote Monitoring System - a mobile-first web app that monitors live cloud data through MS Azure and saves to a SQL database for review by service technicians
    • Increased sales by improving user-friendliness and perceived value of sites with custom design elements
    • Delivered direct customer support and training on how to access and use their automation sites
    • Led in-house design trainings for equipment programmers and project managers
    • Designed and implemented extensive documentation, templates and systems for use by GVA

    Georgetown Furnace and AC

    Owner | April 2017 - Dec 2021

    A part-time heating and cooling business to serve my neighbors with honest advice, fair prices, and free laughs.

    Accomplishments:

    • Utilized Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Dreamweaver to create all logos, graphics and internet media
    • Leveraged previous connections and customer base to establish a part-time residential HVAC service and installation business.

    West Michigan Air Duct & HVAC

    Service Manger | Sept 2015 - Sept 2016

    Directed a smooth transition to new ownership for employees and customers following the purchase of Stienstra Heating and Cooling (see job below).

    Accomplishments:

    • Developed new marketing ideas and implementation
    • Managed sales contacts, technicians' service calls, and new employee training

    Stienstra Heating and Cooling

    Owner | Nov 2009 - Sept 2015

    Inexperienced and fresh out of trade school I was motivated to go on my own after seeing how many hvac companies dealt unfairly with customers. This drive for honest service allowed me to build a successful residential heating and cooling business during the Great Recession while creating jobs for four service technicians.

    Accomplishments:

    • Became familiar with basic website building, SEO and graphic design skills
    • Managed all marketing and advertising from networking events to print and online blog posts
    • Built a solid reputation of trustworthiness and fair pricing by exceeding standards and expectations both in craftsmanship and customer service
    • Learned how to design and install complete mechanical systems for new and existing homes

    Education

    Actualize Coding Bootcamp

    Full Stack Web Development Certificate | March 2021 - July 2021

    • Dino Spotr (in progress): Personally built an augmented reality app where users can track down and view life-size dinosaurs on their phone in each of the US National Parks in real-time.
      • Technologies used: Ruby/Ruby on Rails backend, vue.js frontend, National Park Service's open database APIs, Mapbox geocoding APIs and GPS/video integration using AR.js
    • Skills Learned: Ruby, Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, Vue.js, HTML, CSS, Git, GitHub, APIs, Pair-Programming, Test-Driven Development, Object-Oriented Programming and more. Combined with my professional experience in UI and Graphic Design I have a strong sense of what works and what clients expect.

    If my resume is intriguing, why not contact me!