The Dallas Morning News printed a profile on me titled "Where I Work" in the Job Center section on Sunday April 18, 2004. This is a weekly column where they profile Technical and Medical employees each week. The printed profile was edited some to fit the space. Read the full text for the article below or read the published article here.

WHERE I WORK

Software Pro hired to solve client puzzles

By PATRICIA V. RIVERA

Special Contributor

Name: Doug Green

Age: 39

Company: Doug Green Consulting ([web:www.douggreenconsulting.com])

Location: "While Dallas and North Texas are home, I am located in the twenty-first century on the Internet, just a phone call or email away."

Title: Software Engineer, Architect, and Consultant

Job description: "I am an independent software developer, specializing in solutions to difficult projects. I work in most technologies, with emphasis on Windows C++, Internet based solutions, and Pocket PC development. I write software proposals, consult and advise, and design and develop software products. I am responsible for development, marketing, billing and customer satisfaction. I am responsible for insuring that my customer is successful and happy."

My Recent Projects: "For the last year, I have primarily worked on a product called ClickRight ([web:www.clickright.net]) for Buchanan Associates which provides Information Technology infrastructure for managing large networks of computers. I developed the ClickRight Client which facilitates online document storage and retrieval, hardware and software inventory control, and software update and installation across all Windows platforms; ClickRight CE for the handheld computer which delivers your documents to you anywhere you go; and the ClickRight Host, Client, and Tunnel which allows a client to remotely control a host system using the web and without regard for firewalls, such as in a help desk scenario or accessing your work desktop from home."

My typical day: "I get my best work done early in the morning and late at night. I keep regular morning hours, take time off most afternoons, and get a few hours in most evenings. Some of my best ideas come while rollerblading, bicycling around the Lake or going to the movies. Sometimes I spend a few hours working from my favorite coffee shop. I visit my customer at least once every couple of weeks, if only to say hello, but usually to discuss priorities. I start every day reading and answering emails. I usually have a list of things to do. I spend most of the day researching software problems and developing solutions, which involves is a lot of time at the computer, trial and error and searching the Internet. My day is not complete without one of my dogs begging to sit and work with me."

What drew me here: "My Dad first introduced me to a mid-1970’s Atari game with a BASIC cartridge, and then the TRS80. Four years of Computer Science Engineering at Cornell University, a lucky break related to a little matter of hacking the school computer, four years as an Air Force Lieutenant, a night school M.B.A. and eighteen years of industry experience, have brought me to the present. I have always liked puzzles and building things, and software development is a natural fit. I have very much enjoyed working in small businesses for the last decade, sometimes as owner or part-owner. When the self-employment opportunity presented itself this time, I mourned my last job appropriately, began looking for new business, was lucky to find a great customer who had a small need, and did a good enough job that it has turned into recurring business."

Where I fit on the ladder: "I hold a unique position in any organizational chart. I am my own boss, but my real boss is the customer. I typically work directly for a top level decision maker. I fit into my customer’s organization as a supplier of knowledge, expertise, and software development. But I also fit into their organization as a mentor and team leader."

How I am compensated: "I prefer to work on fixed priced projects, where I get paid in increments, some up front and some as work completes. This works best when I keep projects well defined and small. With more established customers, I occasionally bill straight time."

What I wear to work: "My home is my office, so what I wear to work is simply what I wear to life. On most days I wear shorts and a T-shirt, some days less, some days more. I have learned that some self-esteem comes from occasionally dressing nicely, and my wife certainly appreciates it. When I visit customers I dress business casual, a little above average for a Techie, but short of a suit and tie."

Advice to someone who wants to enter my field: "Discover what you love to do, become the best at it, and do it. If you love software development, get an education at a top four year University, taking as many programming courses as possible, but learning theory and algorithms over technology. Be an expert in several technologies, but gravitate towards the more difficult, higher skilled ones. Work on industry specific projects, but avoid industry specialization unless you want to spend your entire career working for that industry. Live your life with good values and your business life will take care of itself. Be honest and fair, live in the present, offer to help others and respond when asked."