Hi, I’m Tom
I’m a programmer with over 24 years of experience building things. I currently work at Cars.com, where I’m a Staff Software Engineer. I’ve also been a manager, but for now, I’d rather focus on tech.
What I Do
Building things gets me excited. Whether it’s programming, Legos, or wood. If it involves making something real and using it, I’m in.
My Approach
Software
I believe software should do something well, and it should be maintainable. Over the years, I’ve become a jack of all trades. I care that software is measured, prepared, and tested. I care that it’s observable. I care about the usual architecture things: scalability, security, performance, and reliability. I think about how wet or dry a system is. Most of all, I think about how people will use it.
Languages, tools, and frameworks are just means to that end. I have preferences, but they change over time.
Management
I fell into a management role years ago with no training. I learned fast. I failed hard too. That experience taught me how patterns emerge in teams, and how things like Team Topologies and Theory of Constraints can help people work better together.
I’m not looking to manage teams again, but there’s no denying I think like a manager when I write software and collaborate. The biggest thing I learned: a manager’s job is to manage communication pathways and eliminate unnecessary collaboration.
People
My philosophy on people is simple: everyone has a unique perspective, and as long as they’re not hurting others, they should be free to express it. When it comes to teams, I believe in order, structure, and communication. These were hard lessons, learned slowly across my adult life.
Beyond Software
I live in the Chicago area with my wife, two boys, and two cats. Life’s a mix of weekend projects, reading, playing, and the occasional quiet moment with a telescope.
Writing software is the hobby that pays the bills. Woodworking is the one that helps me slow down and think with my hands. Astronomy is what I do for the community—sharing the night sky with others and helping people get curious about what’s above them.
If you’re nearby, check out naperastro.org. It’s the local astronomy club I’m involved with. We host public events and try to make space a little more accessible for anyone who’s interested.
Get in Touch
You can find me on LinkedIn or GitHub. Feel free to reach out with any questions or comments.