Where did you learn to code?

MCPD .NET Framework 2.0 Enterprise Application Developer

In December 2008, I completed the fifth exam to receive my Enterprise Application Developer MCPD designation.

MCTS .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications

In October 2008, I completed the fourth exam to receive my Distributed Applications MCTS designation.

ALT.NET Calgary, Alberta

In August 2008, I attended the ALT .NET Open Spaces conference in Calgary, Alberta. The event was a lot of fun, and I got to meet a lot of local developers that share the same passion for software development.

MCTS .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications

In August 2008, I completed the third exam to receive my Windows Desktop Applications MCTS designation.

ALT.NET Seattle, Washington

In May 2008, I travelled to Seattle, Washington to attend the ALT .NET Open Spaces conference. This was another fantastic event, where I got to meet a lot of active members in the .NET community.

DevTeach Toronto, Ontario

In April of 2008, I travelled to Toronto, Ontario to attend the week long developer conference known as DevTeach. This was a fantastic event, where I met lots of interesting people, and learned a lot of useful information that I was able to bring back to my team and start applying immediately.

MCTS .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications

In March 2008, I completed the second exam to receive my ASP.NET MCTS designation.

Nothin' But .NET Boot Camp

In November 2007, I attended the Nothin' but .NET boot camp taught by Jean-Paul Boodhoo. This was a one week course that focused on Object Oriented Programming, Design Patterns, Test Driven Development, Object Relational Mapping, and how to become a more effective developer.

C# Programming Certificate of Achievement

In 2007, I spent the year completing a C# programming certificate at SAIT. These were night classes that lasted from January right through till December.

CompTIA A+ Designation

In 2006, I completed a course at SAIT on computer hardware and maintenance then completed the 2 exams to earn my COMPTIA A+ Certification.

VeriFone Verix/VMAC Developers Toolkit Certificate

In 2006, I was sent by my employer to Dallas, TX to complete more training on building applications on VeriFone's Verix/VMAC 32 bit point of sale terminals.

Hypercom Optimum Developers Toolkit Certificate

In 2004, I was sent by my employer to Phoenix, AZ to complete a course on building gift card and loyalty applications on the Hypercoms Optimum series point of sale terminals.

College

After high school I took a year off to reflect, work and to look forward. It was a stressful year, trying to decide what to do next. I entered the Computer Control Technology program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, in the fall of 2002. It was a new program at the time and sounded interesting to me. I was exposed to many different people, and ideas. The program had a heavy focus on mathematics, electrical engineering and programming. I overcame many hurdles and gained confidence in the process. I acted as a mentor and as a peer to my fellow classmates. I'm happy with the relationships I built and the education I earned. All in all it was a good experience, and helped to prepare me for the "real" world. I graduated in April of 2004, and immediately began working at Data Shapers. Unfortunately, the program was discontinued and is no longer offered by SAIT

High School

My high school years were spent at William Aberhart High School. I graduated in 2001, as the youngest person in the graduating class of that year. I turned 17 years old, 2 months prior to graduation.

Jr. High School

Grades 7 through to 9, I spent at Branton Jr. High School. It was about a 5 minute walk from my house so I always got to sleep in later then the other kids. It was a French bi-lingual school, but I stayed on the English side. I made some very good friends there, some of which I'm still friends with today.

Kindergarten/Elementary School

I started Kindergarten at Knob Hill Elementary in south west Calgary. I finished grade 1 at Knob Hill then moved to Briar Hill Elementary school for grade's 2 through 6.

Briar Hill elementary school was a lot of fun.