I teach web design and development at the University of Rochester. Before that I taught at RIT, Monroe Community College, and other local schools. Earlier in my career, I worked as a contract web consultant for organizations like Kodak, First Niagara Bank, Cornell University, and UR Medical Center. Even earlier, I spent 18 years in marketing at Xerox.
Early Days
I grew up in Rochester, New York. In the 1980s I played in rock bands around the Northeast and Canada. When that ran its course, I went back to school at Syracuse University for Library Science, then moved into management at Xerox. In the early 2000s, I began an MBA at RIT but shifted to the new Information Technology program instead. That’s where I discovered my passion for the web. Xerox covered my Master’s degree, and shortly after, I left to pursue web development full-time.
Consulting
Freelancing led me into contract consulting during the rise of mobile web development. Positioning myself as a mobile specialist helped me land projects and build a solid second career. Those years were busy and rewarding, and they gave me the portfolio that later opened doors in teaching.
Teaching
In 2010 I picked up my first night course in web development. The pay was modest, but I enjoyed giving back and kept signing on for more. By 2013, I was teaching at four colleges and phasing out consulting. When a full-time lecturer role opened in UR’s new Digital Media Studies program, I left adjunct life behind and focused fully on teaching—a third career that has been the most fulfilling.