All About Tom

Tech Tech Tech - I've been working in technology for decades -- for big and small companies, including startups -- in multiple sectors: defense, transportation, telecom, finance, etc. Both hardware and software -- in various roles: engineer/architect, people manager, and project/program manager. I have three grown children successfully working in tech.

Location - I live in the north SF bay, in Petaluma -- which is a great town with a fun downtown -- plus we're close to fun things. We're a half hour from the coast (beaches, restaurants) and a half hour from the Russian River (rafting, fun towns). We're in wine country: with wineries within 10 minutes of us, Sonoma 20 minutes away, and Napa 30 minutes away -- and we are members of several wineries. Lagunitas Brewery is within walking distance. A tech company moved us up to Petaluma, but then faded away -- so I've been happy to be working remotely recently.

Creative - I'm very creative. If I could have figured out how to make a good living in a creative occupation, I would have. (Maybe I'm not as creative as I think I am...?) I have an art website and a writing website. Someday I hope to publish some of my writings. I also play guitar (badly).

Active - I'm healthy and active -- strongly influenced by my active wife. We aren't vegetarians, but we are minimal and selective meat eaters. I run, bicycle, hike, and go frequently to the gym.

Trivia - Other fun trivia about me:

• I am one of six kids
• I grew up in 'hillbilly country' (West Virginia)
• I once won a statewide math championship (Yeah, really. I'm secretly smart.)
• We used to have flight benefits when I worked for an airline, and I've been to Hawaii and Europe more times than I can count
• Our backyard has seven redwood trees
• We have an outdoorsy 'hunter' cat that goes on mile-long walks with us (and the dog)
• My wife and I are in a real music video (about a minute in): David Luning 'Driftin'
• I'm currently recovering from a joint injuries (welcome to old age :) -- but when I run regularly, I do the equivalent distance of two marathons each month
• I go nutty at Halloween (engineer+creative): elaborate house decorations, etc; however, I no longer do my 12-foot dinosaur costume, and the whole neighborhood is disappointed that I stopped doing my in-garage haunted house (10 minute video from 15 years ago)