I left a job in desktop software in 2010 to work independently as Substrate — first specializing in Drupal, now across the whole stack. I wanted to do work that was meaningful to me, and to see the impact up close. That started with a lot of grassroots projects. I'd been building websites since the mid-90s, and I studied computer science at Case Western. I lived in Cleveland for a dozen years, founded the Drupal user group there, and still do most of my work for organizations rooted in that city.

I build information infrastructure. For years that meant sites top to bottom: helping clients figure out what they needed, then architecting and developing — generally with a graphic designer. I still own the stack; the systems are larger now. A trail map, a museum site, a university CMS. I tend to stay, and I train the people who will live with it.

Open source was part of why I left, not just how I work. I contribute the modules I depend on, because a site should outlast any one engagement. I still work mostly with nonprofits. I live in Boulder (primarily) and Barcelona (part-time) now. Cleveland is still home to most of my work.

When I'm not busy building internet I'm usually being active outside or playing Brazilian choro music.