Chris is a local who attended Providence College and Brandeis University to study the fine art of talking to computers. Discovering the C programming language in high school got him hooked and the spread of the internet then sealed the deal. He spent the last few years creating a variety of web applications within the Boston VC startup scene, teaching kids how to program, and developing an interest in electrical engineering. Spending time outdoors and traveling with his family are tops on his list.
Ready to learn more about our newest Mojo?
1. What experiences and/or education led you to your new job at MojoTech?
I wanted a job where the work and environment felt like a startup (since that is where I’ve spent the most of my career), was stable in their market, and where the I could share ideas with others that love software and managing projects.
2. Before your life at MojoTech, what was the most interesting project on which you ever worked?
I was asked if, within a browser, JavaScript could perform an image analysis to machine-learn if an object of interest existed within the image and if so to determine the boundary points. After the target area was identified that area would be cropped and enlarged to fit the canvas size. Magnification of the area under the mouse cursor was also coded. That was pretty awesome at the time and ran fast even for an image with over 20 megapixels.
3. What do you enjoy most about engineering? And, what do you enjoy least?
Building stuff! Breaking stuff... but as long as I learn then it’s "a-ok".
4. What personal characteristics do you feel are necessary to be a successful engineer?
The ability to see that there are many ways to solve a problem and the wisdom to pick the ones that best fit the current needs. It’s similar to when my son solves a Rubix cube in that the tiles may be mixed up differently each time but there is an order and a way to check your progress so that you know if you are moving forward to solving the cube or just creating more chaos.
5. What do you get out of engineering that you couldn’t get from any other type of work?
Creating something new and have it be immediately available to the entire world. With other disciplines, it seems pretty difficult to do so.
6. Describe a time when you confronted a problem that really tested your engineering know-how.
My kids wanted me to light up a Christmas tree with dancing lights just like they saw on TV. I was a programmer but not an EE major and so wires with small voltages seemed foreign to me. Not wanting to disappoint my kids we then discovered a phenomenal father-son hobby.
7. Now that you’re at MojoTech, what excites you most?
Working on a little bit of this and a little bit of that! For much of my career, I have focused on a single silo for many years.
8. To which professionals and/or resources do you turn for inspiration?
StackOverflow usually has plenty of inspiration. Although sometimes I also feel this way:
XKCD: (https://www.xkcd.com/979/)
9. You’ve been banished to a deserted island with—gasp—no Internet, but lots of power outlets. What one piece of technology would you bring?
A refrigerator. I believe that was the biggest technological advance from the last century.
10. What technology is going to take over the world next?
Anything related to addressing global warming.
11. If you weren’t an engineer, what occupation would you choose?
Farming
12. What is your idea of happiness?
Having hope in the future.
13. The red pill or the blue pill?
Red