Yes, I have been quiet for a while. I was given notice a few days ago by my friend, Clark, that it was about time for me put up a post or two.
Well, there is a reason I have been quiet. Big news has been coming - at least big news for me.
Today, July 1, 2005, is my last day as a member of Onlinefocus. I have been a member of the Onlinefocus team in one way or another for over 6 years. In March of 1999 I joined Sharkbytes, a now-defunct web agency based in Cincinnati. A few months later, Sharkbytes as well as several other web agencies around the country were purchased by a holding company, UCI Group. The other agencies were Third Street Interactive, a web agency previously located in Mass.; Keystone Systems, a more traditional-based programming company formerly in Kalamazoo, MI; and Onlinefocus, based in Mountain View, CA. Over the course of 2000 and 2001 most of the companies were forced to close because of the economic downturn. When Sharkbytes closed, I was in the middle of a large project and UCI decided to keep me on as a member of Keystone, since they were closest, to continue working on the project. Rather than move to Michigan, though, I was given the opportunity to work remotely from my home office. I jumped at the chance. In 2002 Keystone was forced to close as well. Since I was already working remotely, I had worked on a few projects for Onlinefocus, and Onlinefocus needed some technical help I “transferred“ to Onlinefocus. I continued to work for them to this day.
I was offered a position at a newer web agency based here in Cincinnati. It was an attractive offer and I really like the leadership and the other employees. I also like the projects that the company is involved in, I think it has a lot of promise, and I am excited to become part of the organization. I’m also really looking forward to working with my buddy Ken again. While serving as technical director as Sharkbytes, I hired Ken as a developer and brought him to this area from the wasteland that he affectionately refers to as ‘Cuse. I guess he has now returned the favor by introducing me to them and them to me. Once I start my new job on Tuesday, July 5th, I will provide more details.
For now the historic importance of this day is: the last-standing Shark has finally fallen. I don’t know if I should be saddened that the day has finally come or to be proud that I carried the Sharkbytes banner, one that should have fallen in September 2001, to this day. I am proud to have done so - as proud to have been a member of such a very good team that we had assembled.