Software Solutions from Modern Mutants
| Software Solutions from Modern Mutants |
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Our company began in 2004, when six geeks parted ways with an established, eight-year-old technology firm that had altered their strategy to focus on marketing and selling the software the geeks had already developed. Our developers were excited about leaving proprietary platforms behind and joining the Open Source community. The Geek Gene, LLC is structured as a "company without walls," providing flexible opportunities for geeks to participate in developing cutting-edge software solutions. All of our employees and contracted geeks are rewarded using a performance-based metrics system. It's true, we're geeks and proud of it. Below you'll find more information about some of our team members and what we bring. Arthur Brock After designing an interdisciplinary degree in Artificial Intelligence at Michigan State University, Brock began his corporate career with General Motors in their Advanced Engineering Systems area working in Artificial Intelligence. He tutored colleagues in linguistics, established the research library, and designed their criteria for Natural Language Processing software evaluation and processes. He went on to work with Chrysler in Expert Systems and later brought his technical experience to Hughes Aircraft in Colorado. Seeking to escape the confines of corporate culture, Brock started his first business, Artful Solutions. This computer consulting and software design firm developed custom financial software for investment companies and process management tools for small businesses. However, his passion for design did not stop at software or business processes; during this time Brock also invented a highly-efficient, multi-fuel turbine engine, fluid dynamic drag brake and an ergonomic multi-position chair. He also put his hand to graphic design and layout in publishing the Journal for Integral Living serving the holistic health community in Michigan. Brock’s involvement with youth, through the local youth group he ran, began to draw his interests toward education and community. For Landmark Education he served on a local advisory board, as well as their national technology committee and their operations redesign committee. He co-founded the Foundation for Inventive Learning which sponsored educational programs for youth as immersive learning communities where the students designed their own studies as well as participated in managing the practical affairs of the community. The Foundation also sponsored school which operates on this model – the Alpine Valley School, which inspired Brock’s move to Colorado to get it off the ground. Brock became intrigued by the possibility of applying this model of a “learning community” to the realm of business and gathered together key people with whom he wanted to create and work – his “dream team.” They founded Dream Team Technologies to demonstrate the viability of this participatory business model. Brock designed and managed the development of Dream Team’s interactive internet platform for collaboration, community building and content management. His experience in business along with exposure to emerging ideas in economic development led him to seek new ways of overcoming the persistent financial limitations and constraints which seem to plague entrepreneurs, non-profits and community builders. Brock began to design innovative “currency” solutions to stimulate the flow of resources in businesses and communities. He founded Targeted Currencies Network and developed the FlowSpace™ process to identify key success factors in implementing currency solutions. Soon TCN will be launching a configurable technology infrastructure to support businesses and community leaders in the efficient launch and management of these systems for unlocking the latent wealth in our organizations and communities. Brock simultaneously heads The Geek Gene, where he provides management, business development, and software architecture design. Mickki Langston With a management style that’s both fresh and fiery, there’s a not-so-secret spice in the Geek Gene recipe by the name of Mickki Langston. Mickki’s a whole-brain thinker who brings both sound business practices and social responsibility to her work. Call her approach to creating and implementing new operating designs at Geek Gene enthusiastic, youthful—nontraditional, even—and perfect for community-minded business. Just don’t call it wimpy; her personal and professional experience reveals an indefatigable constitution. Mickki began her career at age 15, when she planned an alternative approach to finishing high school to commit 1,000 hours per year to volunteer work. Before her direct sales and management posts with The Hanover Company, one of the largest privately-owned real estate companies in the US, Mickki spent several years working closely with children, including teaching at Willows-Olde Mill Child Learning Center. During her tenure in restaurant management at Ruby Tuesday, Inc, the restaurant experienced its highest ratings in customer satisfaction and profitability, and was the most successful Ruby Tuesday’s in the Rocky Mountain Region. Her contributions to The Geek Gene include managing operations and finance, as well as business development, customer and sales support, project management and the design, development and implementation of client web sites. With her affinities running a gamut from her tribal affiliation to pioneering the frontier of new economics, there’s something that brings Mickki into focus: Service. Not just with a smile, but with sincerity. Some Background: Computer Science student from Regis University, 11 years programming experience, Avid reader & problem solver David Braden Some Background: Studying Asian Languages at CU Boulder, 13 years programming experience Some Background: A true technology sorcerer, MONO & .NET enthusiast, 10 years professional programming experience, Passionate participant in martial arts, bicycling & fitness, Master of marriage, Strong supporter of Open Source Jim Ruberto With expertise in varied domains such as accounting, software engineering, real estate and music, and strong interests in many areas including economics, anthropology, self-organizing systems, photography, nonlinear dynamics, world religions and especially the convergent spaces emerging between and among what have historically been disparate areas, Jim Ruberto brings experience, perspective and an affinity for run-on sentences to The Geek Gene. Jim is currently a project manager and software developer for Geek Gene, as well as a freelance web/marketing/e-commerce consultant and a professional musician. Past milestones include becoming CFO of a successful property management firm at age 20, and earning a senior software engineer position with a successful financial software company through self-education and apprenticeship. Looking ahead, he is very excited about the possibilities of leveraging technology to help enable and catalyze positive social change. Specialties: Project Management, Design Engineering, Database design, Software testing |