TechBirmingham Blog

Archive for December, 2015

Depot/U Profile – Steve Sartino

Recently, the first graduating class of Depot/U left the confines of Innovation Depot to return to their previous employers, start new careers or search for their next opportunities. TechBirmingham decided to catch up with a few of these graduates and see what they are doing after Depot/U.

Our next profile is on Steve Sartino. Hi Steve! Tell us where you’re from.

I’m a Birmingham native.

Where did you work before Depot/U?

I worked in the digital graphics and HVAC fields.

Where are you working now or are you looking for a job?

I am currently looking for a job.

Do you have a college degree? What school did you attend?

Yes. I have a B.S. in Finance/Accounting from UAB.

How did you find out about Depot/U?

I saw a Birmingham News article on the program back in June.

Tell us how you came about the decision to attend Depot/U?

I have been toying around with the notion of becoming a developer for the past 3 years. I have several friends who code, including one who went back to UAB and graduated with a C.S. degree. He landed a great position at a large company in-town and the more we talked about coding, the more my curiosity was piqued. One night I sat at my laptop and started a codecademy.com tutorial and I was hooked! I thought about going back to UAB or a faster track like a tech school, but it didn’t feel right to me. When I read the article in the Birmingham News about the bootcamp, I thought ‘This could be my ticket!’.

What was your favorite part about the program?

I actually had a love/hate relationship with the fast pace of material.

Now that you’ve graduated, what’s next for you?

I am currently looking for a job using the skills I learned from the program.

Tell us something interesting about yourself unrelated to Depot/U and your career.

I enjoy meditation, yoga, climbing, hiking & soccer.

Anything else about you or your experience in Depot/U you’d like to share?

I met some really cool people in the class!

Thank you, Steve. Best of luck with your career!

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Meet our Member Companies – TailWinds Technologies

TechBirmingham thrives through its immensely talented and diverse group of member companies. Meet our Member Companies is an ongoing Q&A series highlighting this group of movers, shakers and makers in B’ham’s tech industry.

Meet Stephen Upton, General Manager of TailWinds Technologies. He has spent the last 23 years in Birmingham. TailWinds Technologies is a startup recently founded in town. Read on to get to know more about TailWinds Technologies and the great things they are doing in Birmingham and beyond.

Hi Stephen! Let’s get started — Tell us more about TailWinds Technologies.

We are a Managed Service Provider, specifically targeting small-to-medium sized businesses. We monitor and manage our client’s workstations and servers. We also provide network support and do some consulting as well.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about your field?

IT in general is considered a “necessary evil” by many businesses when there should be symbiotic relationship between the two. Properly leveraging technology can transform and revolutionize companies, but handled incorrectly can cause headaches. Striking the perfect balance between business and IT is a constant struggle but quite attainable when partnering with the right resources.

What exciting news or product/service announcements does your company have on the horizon?

TailWinds Technologies acquired PC Rescue as of 12/1/2015. We are excited about continuing the excellent service that PC Rescue’s existing customers are accustomed to as well as offering some new services.

How do you feel about B’ham’s tech scene?

We have a lot of really good IT talent in Birmingham. But, considering the recent historical trend of consolidation and/or large-business outflow, it’s disheartening to notice the brain drain caused by so many leaving the Magic City just to find work. If there were more investment in local IT-centric businesses, ideas, and infrastructure, maybe we could hold onto some of the locally-grown talent and even attract some new blood, similar to what Silicon Valley, Seattle, or Austin and Houston have done.

Thanks so much for sharing, Stephen! 

Follow TailWinds Technologies online here:

www.tailwindstechnologies.com

facebook/tailwindstechnologies

twitter.com/tailwindstech

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Meet our Member Companies – Nimble Storage

TechBirmingham thrives through its immensely talented and diverse group of member companies. Meet our Member Companies is an ongoing Q&A series highlighting this group of movers, shakers and makers in B’ham’s tech industry.

Meet Jim Acker, Sales Director of Nimble Storage. He is originally from Warren, OH and has been with Nimble Storage for one month. Read on to get to know more about Nimble Storage and the great things they are doing in Birmingham and beyond.

Hi Jim! Let’s get started — Tell us more about Nimble Storage.

I manage and lead a sales organization across seven southeastern states and the Caribbean. With 11 sales teams in cities like Nashville, Charlotte, Tampa, Atlanta, Miami, Raleigh, and Birmingham, I spend much of my time traveling to visit clients and/or prospects to share our story and to help clients save time and money. Nimble Storage was founded in 2008 and shipped its first product in 2010. In 2013, the company went public and is currently growing at 46% annually and adding ~700 new clients per quarter. We have over 7,000 unique clients and over 12,000 systems deployed across a variety of industries worldwide. Our platform has been a disruptive force in a market that has been previously dominated by 25 year old companies.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about your field?

Data is the lifeblood of any organization..it is the crown jewels so to speak. As a result, trusting that data with next-generation technology can be perceived as risky when in fact it is not. Today, systems are built with incredible redundancy and resiliency using off-the-shelf hardware as opposed to the complex, proprietary architectures of the past. Complexity is no longer a badge of honor for storage companies. Complexity drives up cost. There is an easier answer!

What exciting news or product/service announcements does your company have on the horizon?

We will be announcing a new product in February that will be very exciting but I cannot share without a non-disclosure agreement. Sorry!!

How do you feel about B’ham’s tech scene?

Being relatively new and traveling frequently, it’s hard to give a thorough assessment but it’s clear that there is leadership here that aspires to transform our economy into the digital age and I think that is exciting. We chose to move to Birmingham from Minneapolis because we thought Birmingham offered everything we wanted. We could have moved to any city in the south but we love the rolling hills, we love the weather, we love the proximity to major cities and attractions, we love the food and music, and we love the size. Birmingham has plenty to offer the tech scene and I look forward to learning more and becoming more proactive in helping Birmingham prosper and grow.

Anything else about you or your company you want us to share?

Nimble is very cool company headquartered in San Jose, CA. Our “No Jerks” policy is an example of our culture where the goal is to win the right way and with good people. We are committed to charitable causes and volunteerism and we have fun. Our clients love our technology and our support so with happy customers comes happy employees. Be Nimble! Nimble is very cool company HQ in San Jose, CA. Our “No Jerks” policy is an example of our culture where the goal is to win the right way and with good people. We are committed to charitable causes and volunteerism and we have fun. Our clients love our technology and our support so with happy customers comes happy employees. Be Nimble!

Thanks so much for sharing, Jim! 

Follow Nimble Storage online here:

www.nimblestorage.com

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Depot/U Profile – Jackson Carr

Recently, the first graduating class of Depot/U left the confines of Innovation Depot to return to their previous employers, start new careers or search for their next opportunities. TechBirmingham decided to catch up with a few of these graduates and see what they are doing after Depot/U.

Our first profile is on Jackson Carr. Hi Jackson! Tell us a little about yourself and where you’re from.

I grew up in Bagley, AL, which is where I attended a very small junior high school until ninth grade. I graduated from Corner High School in 2010, and I’ve been in and around Birmingham ever since.

Where did you work before Depot/U?

Primarily, I worked for Motus Motorcycles, a motorcycle manufacturer based here in Birmingham that was actually started in the Innovation Depot. I also worked as a research assistant in a physics lab at UAB.

Where are you working now or are you looking for a job?

I will start working as a software developer at BBVA Compass at the end of December, and I’m also using my newfound front-end engineering skills to freelance and kickstart my own projects in my spare time.

What’s your new job title?

Front-End Engineer

Do you have a college degree? What school did you attend?

Yes, I graduated in April from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physics.

How did you find out about Depot/U?

I was reading through the headlines in the Birmingham Business Journal when I ran across an article about Depot/U. It quickly caught my attention and appealed to my interests in software development and entrepreneurship.

Tell us how you came about the decision to attend Depot/U?

I have always been interested in learning various programming languages and skill-sets, and I knew that I wanted to self-teach myself as many languages as I possibly could as soon as I graduated from college. In order to do that, I wanted to create my own personal projects that I could tackle – each one testing various coding concepts. I started with web development, specifically front-end engineering, because it seemed to be where analytical, algorithmic thinking intersected with the more abstract and aesthetic nature of design. That really appealed to me.

I wanted my first project to have meaning, and I also wanted it to be something I was passionate about. Motus was an obvious choice, so I asked the leaders of the company if they cared if I made a mock up website for them just as a personal project of mine. In my mind, I envisioned a mock website that I would create and then present to Motus. That would be the end of it. The response I received was, “Well, we don’t need a website, but we do need one for mobile.” At that moment, I was saying to myself, “I have no idea what I’m doing. What am I about to get myself into?” but what I actually said: “Alright, let’s do it. Let me see what I can do.” And we were off to the races.

I dove head-first into the project, learning as I went. I had worked for about a solid week on the project before I realized I had never once felt tired because of the work; in fact, it was quite the opposite. I was spending countless hours on this project, and I was loving every minute of it. I couldn’t get enough. That’s when it dawned on me that I had discovered something that could really be great. Coincidentally, at about the same time, I ran across the BBJ article about Depot/U.

I was then at a crossroads where I had to make a decision (one that I believe I will remember as one of the many formative moments in my life): I was slated to start my PhD in Physics at UAB in the Fall, but I knew I wanted to do the bootcamp despite the fact that I had no idea how Depot/U was going to pan out. After all, it was the first course they had ever done, I had no previous association with Platypi (or the Innovation Depot, for that matter), and there were no metrics or results they could show me that would convince me they had any merit. Would it be worth the investment? It’s 10 full weeks of my life and over $5000! I went through all the scenarios and analyzed it (and over-analyzed it) until my head was spinning. Despite all of this – despite the risks and the uncertainties – my gut was telling me it was the right decision. Something was telling me to jump.

So I did. I discussed it with Motus, and they were very supportive of this endeavor, especially if it was something I really wanted to do. As an Innovation Depot graduate themselves, they understand what it means to take risks and follow your gut in order to pursue your dreams. I couldn’t be more thankful for their support. So I deferred enrollment in the PhD program in order to attend the bootcamp, and I gave it 110 percent. It was the right decision for me, and it was everything I could have hoped for and more.

Wow, that’s amazing, Jackson! What was your favorite part about the program?

Hmm, that’s a tough one. Personally, I really enjoyed the program as a whole, and it’s very difficult to pinpoint one thing that stood out as my favorite. With that being said, I think the one thing that edges out everything else as my favorite part of Depot/U was the fact that it was at the Innovation Depot. It is truly an amazing place, and I believe it is at the heart of Birmingham’s current renaissance. I walked through the front doors every day eager to make the most of myself and my work, and part of that was certainly due to the environment and atmosphere the Depot provides. It’s infectious, and I want to be a part of it as long as I possibly can.

Would you recommend others going through the program? Tell us why.

I would certainly recommend going through the program. If you can stomach the financial commitment, the time commitment (it’s a full-time job, if not more), and truly dedicate yourself to doing everything you possibly can to make the most of this program, then yes, by all means do it. You won’t regret it.

However, I know that everyone’s situation is different, and it’s a huge decision that you need to weigh very heavily with yourself, your friends, and your family. If it’s a commitment that you feel you can make, you should. This course can provide the opportunity to change your life. Just make sure you make the decision wisely and for the right reasons.

If someone asked you why they should attend Depot/U, what would you tell them?

I would tell them that I can’t answer that question for them. They have to come to that decision on their own after carefully considering their own personal situation in life and what goals they have for themselves and their family.

I could offer some perspective, though. I would reiterate the fact that this course has the potential to completely change your life. It’s not easy. You’re not going to be spoon-fed. You’re going to have to put in a ton of effort, but if you want a career in software development, Depot/U can provide the skills and knowledge necessary to get you started on that path. By being hosted in the Innovation Depot (and with major companies signing on as hiring partners), it will also allow you to connect with professionals in the Birmingham area – and those connections pay dividends well beyond the actual knowledge of the course itself.

Now that you’ve graduated, what’s next for you?

I am very happy and excited to say that I will be starting my first full-time software development position as a Front-End Engineer with BBVA Compass. Meanwhile, in my spare time, I will continue to work on projects that interest me and satiate my entrepreneurial inclinations. I’m really looking forward to being a part of (and contributing to) the tech scene in Birmingham.

Tell us something interesting about yourself unrelated to Depot/U and your career.

At the risk of exposing how much of a geek I truly am, I suppose the most interesting thing I could tell you is that I have been the coach for a middle school First Lego League (FLL) robotics team (“The Variables”) for the past two years. We are an independent “family and friends” team that consists of three middle school students that wanted to compete but did not have a team to join through their school systems.

The FLL competition requires students to assemble a robot out of Legos and with said robot autonomously complete various missions that are assigned by FLL. The team must also identify a problem related to the current year’s theme, propose a solution, and then share it with others. Throughout the competition, the team must demonstrate core values that FLL identifies as exemplary teamwork, camaraderie, and professionalism.

The Variables placed first at their regional qualifier both years they competed, which allowed them to compete at the state level. This year they competed in Huntsville with 35 other teams across the state, and they received the first place Champion’s Award. This will allow our team to represent the state of Alabama at the World Festival competition in April of 2016! If you want to know more about FLL, please visit http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll.

Anything else about you or your experience in Depot/U you’d like to share?

I think I’ve said about all I can about myself, haha! I do want to thank everyone at Platypi, the hiring sponsors, class partners, and the Innovation Depot for all of their hard work and support that providing this course to the Birmingham community. It’s changed my life for the better, and I’ve made some lifelong friends throughout the entire process. So, thank you!

Thank you, Jackson. Best of luck with your career!

 

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Meet our Member Companies – BEK Networks

TechBirmingham thrives through its immensely talented and diverse group of member companies. Meet our Member Companies is an ongoing Q&A series highlighting this group of movers, shakers and makers in B’ham’s tech industry.

Meet Doug Rabren, President of BEK Networks. He is originally from Andalusia, AL and has lived in Birmingham the last 18 months. Read on to get to know more about BEK Networks and the great things they are doing in Birmingham and beyond.

 

Hi Doug! Let’s get started — Tell us more about BEK Networks.

BEK Networks, LLC is a full service Telecommunications and Networking firm. We are a Master Solution Provider with AT&T but we also work with a myriad of other telecom and internet service providers. What we do on a daily basis is help clients understand what they have by way of service and decipher the complex billing that accompanies these services. We specialize in increasing network performance while decreasing monthly spend.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about your field?

That all networks and carriers are created equally. Networking is not a commodity.

What exciting news or product/service announcements does your company have on the horizon?

We are in the process of launching a service called “Gnosis Praxis” that provides an easy dashboard of IT spend.

How do you feel about B’ham’s tech scene?

The organization around a unified tech networking group has been non-existent for many years. I believe TechBirmingham is key in establishing a physical networking group for IT and IT professionals.

Anything else about you or your company you want us to share?

We’ve been a virtual, cloud based company since before it was cool.

Thanks so much for sharing, Doug! 

Follow BEK Networks online here:

www.beknetworks.com

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Depot/U Graduates First Class

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With the recent first graduating class of Depot/U, we caught up with one of the organizers, Kathleen Israel of Platypi, to learn more about the successes of this group and where they are now.

When we went live with the Depot/U application last May, we didn’t really know what to expect. In a very short period of time we had about 100 applications to sort through for our first class, which started in September. We ended up with a very diverse group of fifteen students for the inaugural class. We had Graphic Designers, Theatre Minors, students right out of college who didn’t know what to do with their major, people looking for a career change, and a couple of students who attended to enhance their skills for their current jobs. The class ran the full 10-weeks with our CEO Matt Landers giving daily lectures and David Stapleton, one of our developers, working as a TA. It was more successful than we could have ever imagined. 

Our goal at the completion of the first Depot/U class was to have everyone placed in jobs within the first six months. Knowing that several of our students quit jobs for the sake of being able to attend Depot/U full-time, we wanted to make it our mission not only to teach them to become Front-End Engineers, but to make sure they got jobs after graduating. We are now about one month out from graduation and are well on our way to reaching that goal.

Three of our students accepted jobs prior to graduation. One student took a job with Everis Group and another with BBVA Compass. The third student (who moved from Philadelphia to Birmingham for the duration of the course) accepted a job with Platypi and will be moving back to Birmingham fulltime next week. Two of our students took time off from their jobs to attend Depot/U and returned after graduating. Within the first few days after graduation we had 1/3 of the class in jobs – which was very exciting for us.

Since then, six of our students accepted a 4-week internship with BBVA Compass, where they split into two groups and were told to build an application that was “disruptive” to the banking industry. They were given no parameters – just use what they learned from attending Depot/U and build the app/website. Both groups were very successful in completing this project!

We still have a handful of students that are interviewing with companies in Birmingham, some at Innovation Depot, and we continue to work with them to make sure they are successful. The first Depot/U class was definitely a learning curve for everyone, but we couldn’t be more proud of its success and excited for what’s to come for the next class in February!

To find out more about attending Depot/U or to learn more about the graduates, contact Kathleen at kathleen@platypi.io 

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