Life

I am very happy to announce that I have a new job. I am now a Senior DevOps Advocate with SJ Technologies, Inc. The great job search of 2017 actually ended in 2017. The good folks at SJ Technologies put together my offer letter in the last week of 2017. This allowed me to take a deep breath over the New Year’s weekend and decompress. I am truly thankful to everyone for getting the offer together in what was likely your down time. It means a lot to me and my family. ...

A former co-worker and now friend used to have a tagline, “Everyday is a school day.” I remind myself of this fact nearly every time I learn something new. 2017 was arduous and mentally challenging. But, I did pull out some golden nuggets while reflecting back these past few weeks. I’d like to share some things I picked up on on this most recent journey around the sun we call 2017. ...

Julie and I have experienced a miscarriage. We found out we were pregnant in early November. On Thanksgiving, an episode occurred that demonstrated Julie’s life might be in jeopardy as well as the life of the baby. There was a glimmer of hope that all could go well though; we had to give it time. A week before Christmas 2017, we learned that our second child wasn’t going to make it. We had a miscarriage. ...

This is the e-mail I sent out this morning to Bankrate folks explaining my decision to leave the company. It’s as much business related as it is personal. I’m displaying it here because I believe in openness and transparency. Fellow Bankraters, Today, after serious consideration, I tendered my resignation as Manager of DevOps at Bankrate. There are a few reasons behind this decision that merit some explanation: I have reached a point in my life where I can take a moment to figure out exactly what it is I want to be when I “grow up.” Life is all about balance. Not being able to take part in significant life events this year has shown me that I need to focus on what matters most to me. It’s time I take a deep breath and determine how best to balance the role of husband, father, and community leader while coping with a permanent, debilitating nerve injury and other issues this position has exposed that I can no longer effectively manage while working at Bankrate. ...

I have accepted the position as Manager, Infrastructure & Operations at Bankrate in Detroit. Julie, Max, Sunny, and I will begin moving to Michigan in mid-June! I will be leading DevOps efforts as the Bankrate team transitions software stacks and moves from on-premise data centers to the cloud. I am beyond excited about the position and the work I will be doing. Making the decision to leave North Carolina did not come easily. Julie and I have TONS of our history here in NC. We met here, first kiss here, engaged near where I was born here in NC, Max’s first home was here. Max’s name is on the studs in his room under the drywall! We built this house here for us to live in for a long, long time. Some things don’t work out how you expect them to. This opportunity is definitely one of those cases. ...