I grew up in Philadelphia, PA in the 60's. That makes me an elder geek by today's standards. It also exposed me to the artistic culture shift that occurred in that era. Coffeehouse beat poets and folk singers were thrust into the mainstream, the British Invasion had crossed the pond, and Andy Warhol was about to start the "pop-art" genre. Style was everywhere and I was mesmerized by the music, art, and technology of the times. Those combined passions were my calling and I presumed becoming a rock star was my destiny.
 
In the 70's my academics were squarely aimed at a business career rather than liberal arts but I remained closely tied to my creative roots. As a teen I exhibited at local city art galleries, performed with my garage band, worked in the high school A/V studio, and played guitar in the jazz ensemble after I failed to make the football team. My fascination with electronics led me into the early years of video games and the birth of the PC. Back then I built computers from kits, taught myself some basic programming skills, and constructed my own crude synthesizer from the Radio Shack parts bin. I even received RIAA certification as a recording engineer while apprenticing in a major studio at the height of the Philly Soul explosion. Though school and all of my endeavors kept me occupied, my path to musical stardom was floundering.
 
Realizing songwriting was not going to pay the bills, I entered the business world in my twenties, honing my skills, and creating a much needed career path. In the 80's I worked my way up the corporate ladder as a purchasing agent, sales engineer, accounting manager, data processing director, and, eventually, operations manager for an industrial design firm. When that business seceded to foreign management, I switched sides and accepted a vice presidency position with an industrial equipment installation firm overseeing project managers and administrative affairs. During this time I remained in touch with my creative side by continuing to draw, paint, and play music while also developing an interest in woodworking and interior design.
 
In the 90's my career took a major turn as I hinged all of my long-term career goals on the information technology profession. While still firmly entrenched in the suit-and-tie universe of business, I expanded my diverse personal interests by moonlighting with a desktop publishing business, renovating three homes, and discovering a little something called the "internet".
 
In this century, the latter part of my career was spent as the VP of Operations and CTO for a mid-size publishing company managing the entire digital print-production process. As that chapter ended, I embraced my self-acknowledged mid-life crisis by retiring from the corporate world, building myself a home recording studio, and channeling my creative interests as a digital designer for hire. I feel my life experience gives me a unique perspective on the design needs of small businesses and individuals who have a desire to promote themselves. I'm excited to discover what the future will bring.  -  Dean Piccoli

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