Greg joined the iDigBio Symbiota Support Hub at Arizona State University in January as the System Administrator and Programmer. Greg manages the IT infrastructure that hosts the Symbiota data portals. He also helps to develop the Symbiota content management system software, its documentation, and provides technical support for Symbiota users. We are happy to have Greg on the iDigBio team and wanted the whole community to get to know him. Please continue to read and learn more about our newest iDigBio member.
I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My love of computers started when my next door neighbors made the mistake of giving me access to their brand new 486 DX 66 PC. They could not get me off of that machine, and I quickly learned how to write custom scripts and install new hardware. I set up a 300 baud modem and started hanging out on computer & technology discussion boards on a few local BBSs (Bulletin Board Systems; i.e., internet before the Internet).
During high school and college I used my technical skills working for a laser show company, and got to travel the country running laser light and pyrotechnic displays for sporting events and music concerts.
After earning my Computer Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, I decided to focus my energies towards making a positive impact on the world. My first job after college was supporting IT for Pier Wisconsin - a non profit organization devoted to environmental awareness and freshwater education. One of my duties at Pier Wisconsin was supporting the School Sailing Vessel Denis Sullivan - A three masted wooden schooner modeled after the cargo ships of the 19th and early 20th century. Sailing on the Sullivan, I traveled throughout the great lakes and the Caribbean supporting satellite based distance learning programs.
For the next 17 years I devoted myself to IT administration for Milwaukee based non profits - including Discovery World science museum, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and finally the Milwaukee Public Museum where I was the Director of Information and Electronic Systems, supporting all of the museum’s technology including the collection management database and specimen digitization projects.
My favorite activities include travel, downhill skiing, canoeing, hiking, and biking.
