# "Quick Summary"
Nick is a small business owner, programmer & web developer. He has significant agency experience - fast switching between many clients all of whom have urgent concerns. He is also a karate teacher with Sooke Shukokai Karate and a Karate BC Provincial Judge A. Nick has experience with accounting, construction, farming and care giving.
As a husband & father, Nick is driven to ensure this is a fantastic and safe community for his family especially as his son is growing. Nick is a hiker, cyclist & general outdoors lover. You may have seen him picking garbage or pulling broom at beaches or by the road.
# Current Work
My focus for many years now has been web development particularly PHP with an emphasis on Drupal. Working full time in agency spaces both Canadian and American remotely - using zoom before the pandemic - I'm extremely used to rapidly shifting priorities and deadlines. In some roles - including currently with Taoti Creative - I have been involved in team management and hiring/firing.
I've been an open source contributor since before I started professionally doing web development. With Drupal, I have more than 600 recognized issue credits, and maintain many public modules. Dramatic slow down since my son was born but continue keeping abreast and updating modules at least.
Additionally in the web development space, I regularly am involved in organization of Drupal events - ranging from small local events to many Drupal Cons (international events with expected attendees of 1-5k). Presenting at many events - same size range really from small corner of the coffee shop to a room with door propped open to allow more people to listen at major conventions.
# Work History
Prior work experience includes a broad gamut. From construction and farming labour to caregiving to accounting and promotional work. Nothing of real public interest, but quality experience for understanding the broader world and true values. Whether it is for a day or 6 weeks, everyone with the physical ability to should experience both hard labour jobs - and understand the worth of things like food on the table - and front facing public/client work to understand the importance of respect regardless of roles.
# Leisure/background
Fun Fact: the little white house that is currently under development permit process for a bowling alley - totally in favour of this btw - was the first place I ever lived, before Sooke was a municipality. Although I did move out of that before I can remember. Since then I have lived in a variety of island locations ranging from Port Renfrew to Pender Islands including Sooke, Shirley, Otter Point and East Sooke.
When not working or involved with open source contributions or karate, I'm usually out doors. Whether, cycling, hiking or gardening - or destroying invasives and picking up garbage. Before he was 1, my son had been to the top of Mt Maquire, Sugarloaf, Mt Quimper, Mt Finlayson and many other regional short hikes.