MikeMelendez

I have 20 years in the software industry and a previous 12 in the Navy. I've worked as a graphics software developer, a parallel computing instructor, an Applications Engineer, and -- for the last ten years -- as a tester at the Project Lead level working mainly in R&D companies. In the Navy, it was six years enlisted working with Polish and Russian and six years as a Surface Warfare Officer, including a stint teaching NROTC at The Citadel. I've even worked, ages ago, as a hospital orderly. I've never flipped burgers but I often wonder what it would be like. My oldest son tells his friends that I change jobs for a living. Needless to say, I'm a generalist. If I'm learning broadly, I'm happy. I believe Software Quality Engineering is the place for a generalist like me in the software industry. Not only do I learn constantly, but I am deeply challenged by the situations I encounter. AYE5 will be my third AYE. I have found that AYE extends my reach. (updated 2004-02-03)

Despite being a strong "I", I decided to add a little more about my family, mainly because I appreciate the notes others have added. My wife, Diane, and I have been together over 25 years and have 6 children between us, ranging in age from Pete, 8, our youngest, to Adam, 34, my firstborn. They run the gamut in other ways as well. Adam and his wife, Vena, live in Venice, CA, strong Blue country. Erin, my second son, lives in Tennessee, as you would know instantly talking to him. Our oldest daughter, Kara, has a stronger religious streak than Diane and I. Our third son, Chris, is a college sophomore who joined the USMC reserve his senior year in high school. He expects to deployed to Iraq with his unit sometime in the next year. Our second daughter, Valerie, a high school sophomore, works hard trying to save the Harp seals selling cookies and candy, planning to make the world's largest chocolate chip cookie for their benefit. (Club sandwiches, not seals!) And our youngest plans to be a Roman legionnaire this Halloween. The scutum Diane is helping make for him is beautiful. Diane is from Pittsburgh originally though she has since shuttled with me around much of the country. She used to be a biology research tech and now works at a preschool as a combination teacher, resident scientist, system admin, and business manager. Such are the people at the core of my life. (added 2004.10.20)

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Updated: Friday, May 26, 2006