Chief Architect, Inter-mediate
Tell us a little about yourself.
I joined CGI in 1990 as a Senior Software Engineer. In the cover letter I submitted with my resume, I stated that I was looking for ‘my last employer.’ I still think I have found them. I started on the Operator Reference (ORDB) and Real Time Rating (RTS) team and worked on these products for about two years. I then moved to the AT&T on-line DB teams supporting and developing software for the Quantum, UPIQ, and CLD products. In 1994, CGI started on the development of a Unix-based replacement of their VMS based mediation product, ETCS. The product, then known as the Data Collection System, is now Inter-mediatE. I joined the DCS team in 1995 and have worked there ever since. In 2001, CGI was acquired by Intec, and in 2007, I was promoted to Chief Architect for the product, the position I currently hold.
Why did you join Intec?
I became interested in CGI (later acquired by Intec) after I saw an advertisement for a development position in a trade publication devoted to Digital Equipment Corporation products. After my interview, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the high level technical work they were doing.
Share some of your experiences...
Early in the life of the Inter-mediatE product I got to go to Sweden to support a customer’s acceptance testing of Inter-mediatE. The Swedes were great to work with, and the testing went very well, leading to a long and very successful relationship with the customer.
Describe a typical day...
Like everyone else these days, I spend the first part of the morning going through new email. The bulk of that time is spent reviewing updates to Inter-mediatE tickets from the previous 24 hours. I frequently annotate tickets or send email directly to the authors with comments and/or suggestions.
The rest of the day is divided up between working on my current project, design and requirements meetings and/or reviews, and assisting others in support and development of the product.
What is the culture like where you work?
The Inter-mediatE develop group is made up of very accomplished technical people. Everyone is a high achiever, and there is a certain amount of ‘one-upsmanship’ that goes on. It’s all done with lots of humour and an underlying respect. We are all very good at what we do, and we all know it. Egos here are not fragile.
What is the social life like in your area?
Atlanta is widely recognised as the capital of the American ‘new-south’ – a big city with multiple professional sports teams, excellent dining, and a lively arts and entertainment scene. My wife and I live in a house that is nearly 100 years old in Atlanta’s historic Virginia-Highlands neighbourhood. There are lots of excellent restaurants and live music venues close by, including the nationally recognised blues club, Blind Willie’s, which is just a block and half from our house.
What would you tell someone who was considering applying for a position at Intec?
First and foremost, Intec is, in my experience, a meritocracy. People here are judged by how good they are and what they do. I wouldn’t want to work in any other kind of environment.
