What was your first job? How did you become involved with IT?
My first real job was as a broadcast journalist for the U.S. Navy. Later, I was in public relations and was asked to create a Web page for the military. I started playing with Web technologies and taught myself programming. I also got involved with several Internet startups in the Boston area in the mid-1990s where it was necessary to know a lot about a lot.
What excites you most about networking technology?
The possibilities: A network, at its most basic level, can organically grow to add efficiencies, capabilities, and, ultimately, value. As a technologist, if I can direct that growth for my company and provide any of those three advantages, then we have proven how appropriately applied technologies can help companies succeed.
What do you see as major networking trends in the next few years?
The convergence of data, voice, and video will continue. Also, the proliferation of personal wireless devices will continue to be somewhat chaotic, but will be critical to future productivity enhancements for the workforce. Building a homogeneous, flexible, and redundant network that accounts for the convergence of these communications media can prepare any organization for when the dust settles around wireless.
What is your favorite thing about working for Churchill Downs?
The opportunity. I call it a 132-year-old start-up. We have an enlightened management team that sees technology as a critical element in the future of the racing industry. Churchill Downs is, and will continue to be, a technology leader.
What does the Kentucky Derby mean to you?
The Kentucky Derby is the single most important event for Churchill Downs. If we are not ready, we can seriously impact the company. And because of its significance, many of our technology projects must be completed prior to that event, so the days leading up to the Derby are more stressful for the technology team than Derby Day itself.
On Derby Day, our team gets to go out and interact with patrons, showing them the new technologies. This year it was wireless wagering. The team worked very hard to get that up and running; it went off very successfully.
Any parting wisdom?
Nothing is impossible until you discover it personally. Too many folks say things can't be done. If you think it can, then you owe it to yourself to try. If it turns out to be impossible, then you have learned something valuable. If not, then you've learned something even more valuable.
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