Get to Know Software Developer Andrew Brouilette
Start of by telling everyone about yourself:
I grew up traveling all over the place. I was born in Kansas City, Missouri and moved to places such as Boise Idaho, Dallas Texas, Atlanta Georgia and Yokosuka, Japan. I landed here in Des Moines, Iowa in March of 2019 to begin my career as a programmer and was so incredibly lucky to get hired on as a Software Developer for Visionary. I think it's safe to say that Visionary Services is by far the best place I have worked and I cannot even think of all the things I will and have learned working here.
What is your professional background?
Before I went into programming I dipped into many different career fields.
After high school I enlisted in the Navy as a Flight Deck Director and served two deployments in the Pacific while stationed at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, getting to travel and visit many different countries and learning a ton of different skill sets that I still use today.
I began to drive semi trucks after the military, still wanting to travel and drove all across the country and seeing what America is all about. I ended up becoming an Owner Operator and starting my own small trucking business which taught me a lot about how businesses work and function from the bottom to the top.
Truck driving was a fun job, but I just couldn’t handle the lifestyle of being on the road constantly anymore, so I began working as an electrician.
But I was also unsatisfied with one thing or another with all of these different career fields and decided to use my GI Bill to go to Centriq Training, a technical school in Kansas City to learn how to code and begin my career as a programmer. After searching in Kansas City for a programming career with no luck, I decided one Friday to print out a bunch of resumes, drive up to Des Moines and hand them out. That’s how I started my career at Visionary and I can’t recall a time where I have ever been happier and excited to go into work every day.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
I have a bunch of hobbies outside of work and like to dabble into a bit of everything. My passion is electric guitar and have been playing for over 12 years now. I also love to build/modify guitar gear such as pedals, guitars, and amplifiers. As a musician, I am always hunting for that “sound” in my head. If I can't buy it, I make it.
What have you enjoyed about Visionary so far?
The thing that I love about Visionary the most is how great the environment and everyone is here. It’s a workplace that I can always have questions answered without hesitation and assistance when needed. The people, in general, are great as well and a lot of fun to talk to. It's one of those places where everyone is a friend.
Where is your favorite place to eat in Des Moines?
Even though it's not only in Des Moines and a franchise restaurant, I’d have to say nothing beats a six dollar, Extra Most Bestest pizza from Little Caesars.
What is your favorite season and why?
Winter by far. I know it’s odd, but I absolutely love the cold. I don’t think anything beats being outside on a snowy cold day as long as there’s no wind. I love the way the snow quiets down the world.
Best book or blog you've read lately?
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Greatest book of all time.
What is one thing you could not live a day without?
Playing guitar. There will be days that I stay up way later than I should because I have to get my daily dose of my six string.
What are your words to live by?
“You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches.” - Dita Von Teese
What are you loving at the moment?
Currently, I have been listening to a bunch of Van Halen after purchasing one of Eddie's signature guitars at the local music store.
Anything else we should know?
The Hagar era or “Van Hagar” of Van Halen is better than David Lee Roth’s era. I will argue you to the ground over it.
