About Me
With over 20 years spanning software development to executive leadership, I've learned that successful technology implementation requires both technical excellence and organizational alignment.
My journey from hands-on software engineer to executive leader has shaped my core belief: the best products emerge from teams where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work.
Leadership Philosophy
I believe that everyone is born with different strengths, meant to complement and serve those who don't have them. Strengths aren't mere tools of dominance or profit—they're the glue that binds those with differences together into complete units. We're only whole when we come together.
This philosophy shapes every aspect of my leadership. I've never been one to chase recognition or power. Instead, I accept leadership roles when they allow me to influence the changes essential for a project's success or a team's well-being. True leadership isn't about seeking the limelight—it's about becoming a natural complement to your team, filling gaps, and building the culture that helps realize a shared mission.
Self-Awareness & Humility
As Socrates said, 'I know that I know nothing.' This humility in decision-making isn't weakness—it's strength. I've learned to acknowledge my limitations, seek help when necessary, and remain open to being questioned and challenged. The COO role requires steadfast resolve to learn from unexpected sources and to prioritize the success of the whole over one's ego.
Communication Foundation
At illuminarean, we implemented 'Open Floor'—dedicated time for team members to connect and share beyond work tasks. While it might seem inefficient to encourage non-work conversations during work hours, I see it as an investment in stronger collaboration. When communication falters, we resort to 'guesswork,' leading to misinterpretation and misdirection.
Beyond Credentials
When hiring, I look beyond résumés and degrees to find people's true potential. I evaluate resilience, integrity, empathy, and the blend of innate qualities with earned skills. I've made my share of hiring mistakes, but each taught me the importance of choosing people who align with our values of mutual respect and hard work.
Work-Life Balance
Time is our most valuable asset. The rich may have money, but the wealthy have time. At illuminarean, we implemented progressive workplace policies including Work From Anywhere because we recognize that our team members' time and well-being are fundamental, not just perks. True success incorporates both professional accomplishments and the freedom to enjoy life.
Global Perspective
Having worked extensively across the United States, South Korea, Singapore, Netherlands, and Australia, I bring a global perspective to engineering leadership. I've led teams across multiple time zones and cultures, learning to adapt leadership approaches while maintaining consistent values around respect, transparency, and growth.
Career Highlights
Founded and scaled Solariant Capital's IT solutions division to 60+ professionals
Achieved 94% retention rate in highly competitive Seoul tech market
Designed and launched SmugMug's tvOS application
Led global development teams for mobile POS applications across three continents
Received Presidential Award for workplace culture excellence (2022)
Recognized for Work-Life Balance Excellence by South Korean Department of Labor (2024)
Developed crowd investment platforms for US and Japanese markets
Worked with major brands: SmugMug, Barclays, and telecommunications companies (M1, Telstra, KPN)
Education
University of California Los Angeles
BA in Economics with emphasis in accounting
1994-1996
- Student Accounting Society (SAS)
- Community Service Officer (CSO)
Boston University - Metropolitan College
MS in Computer Science (incomplete)
1996-1998
Completed coursework before shifting focus to hands-on industry experience
My Approach
I'm passionate about the intersection of technology and people. Whether it's mentoring emerging leaders, designing elegant solutions to complex problems, or creating cultures where teams genuinely enjoy coming to work, I'm driven by the challenge of making technology work better for everyone involved.
Let's Work Together
I'm interested in engineering leadership roles where I can leverage my experience building high-performing teams and driving technical innovation.
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