Memphis Metropolitan Area
I'm the guy that brings heart to tech. As a former hospitality manager who transitioned into software engineering, my career has been defined by one mission: enhancing the human experience, whether that's for a customer or a fellow developer. My work stands on four key pillars: Empathy & Mentorship: I've positioned myself as an "advocate for the soon-to-be-developer." Having made the journey myself, I'm passionate about investing time in others. This is my "why." I'm a tech mentor, a coding bootcamp TA, an advisor for Code Connector, and a Community Ambassador, all focused on providing clear, empathetic guidance to help others find their path. Enterprise Technical Expertise: My advocacy is built on a foundation of real-world, enterprise-level engineering. I'm a full-stack developer with years of hands-on experience at companies like FedEx, where I wrote production Java and Spring Boot code for systems sorting 400,000+ packages per hour and optimizing database queries to reduce response times by 50%. Grassroots Community Building: I believe in building from the ground up. Real networking isn't about chasing gurus on social media; it's about "just making friends" at local meetups. As a community leader for Code Connector, I've helped grow our user base by over 600 members and launched initiatives like the "Coding Dojo" to create safe spaces for developers to practice and learn. Strategic Developer Advocacy: As a DevRel leader, I bring these pillars together to execute a developer-first strategy. I don't just give talks; I write the advocacy playbook, build the demo applications (from Java/Spring AI to React), and champion developer experience. I'm a frequent keynote and panel speaker at major conferences like All Things Open, DevNexus, and Microsoft Build, where I get to share my passions for Java, AI, and career strategy with the global developer community. My goal is simple: to make a developer's life a little bit better. Let's connect. Skills: Java, Spring Boot, SQL, Typescript, Javascript, React, Angular
Founded a freelance firm which served non-profits in the North Mississippi area. Transformed Clear Creek Church's website from a table-based mobile-unfriendly experience, to a Bootstrap-based responsive site with clean design. I tackled image work, content, adding online giving, custom CSS, and deployment. I also launched the Wordpress site for a local kidney disease awareness foundation and managed all content updates.
Led breakout sessions teaching and advising in all coursework. Created instructional video content to better explain key concepts in Java and Javascript. Provided advisement for students in regards to LinkedIn profiles, personal projects, interview skills, version control, and strategies for landing their first jobs in tech. Supports the Lead Instructor in administering the course, including grading and attendance.