Title: Manager of Grants and Compliance Systems, Information Systems and Technology.
Family: Single
How long have you worked at Georgia State? Eleven years.
What do you do on a typical day? I work with my team to implement solutions for managing Research Administration data at the University. The primary project we are working on involves automating our billing and accounts receivable processes as well as reducing the amount of paperwork required to submit research proposals to our office.
In addition, my dense meeting schedule has helped me to develop prodigious proficiency at warming seats.
What's your background? I was into computers at a very young age - primarily because my father was into them. My dad ran a recording studio that relied on a computer for a lot of music production and it was through a developing understanding of that computer that I got into building computers. Twelve years ago the Georgia State School of Music needed somebody who knew computers and pro audio and I was the guy they chose.
I got into software development as a teenager to automate repetitive tasks on my computer but it wasn't until I got to the School of Music that I had really practical projects to develop. Eventually I decided that I wanted to be a full time developer and ended up working for the Vice President for Research in that capacity.
What do you do when you're not working? Excuse me? What is this "not working" activity that you speak of? Seriously, I like to enjoy my neighborhood of Downtown Atlanta, I take the Salsa classes at the GSU recreation center, and I try to do a little community service. I also ride my motorcycle when the stars align.
What's your favorite thing in your office? My white board, hands down. Even though the primary output of my work (code and configuration) requires typing, I do all of my design by hand and the white board is critical.
What don't people know about you? When I was a kid a teacher gave me a copy of Ben Carson's "Gifted Hands" and I was dead set on being a neurosurgeon. Right up until I dissected my first worm in Biology.
If you weren't working at Georgia State, what would your ideal job be? Working to improve developing neighborhoods or nations.