TheNavigator_Vol1Issue1_v1.5_digital-singles

TN: Wow. Ok. So, you’re kinda smart?
BC: That’s not what my wife says.
TN: Then what happened?
BC: I started interviewing for jobs and one really stood
out. The interviewer looked like a football coach
and was just as rah-rah. He gave me hard technical
problems to solve and then spent the rest of the
time convincing me to come work at his company
that I had never heard of, called Microsoft. That was
Steve Balmer. I joined Microsoft as employee 225.
I remember that I was so excited about my new
job that I wrote this very excited acceptance letter,
which Microsoft published in their newsletter.
TN: Do you still have a copy of that?
The Navigator: Brian, do you call yourself
a scientist, or a technologist?
Brian Conte: Probably a technologist.
TN: Why are you a technologist?
BC: I’m left brain, as they say. Although Jerry, our
resident neuroscientist here says the right brain/
left brain thing isn’t really a valid concept. Anyway,
I’ve always been interested in science and math
because I’ve always wanted to know the exact
answer; I prefer things that are black and white.
TN: Tell us more about yourself.
BC: Well, I’m originally from New York. And I
have been in technology most of my life.
TN: Tell us a little more about that.
BC: I started in high school programming on a local
mainframe and then one day a teacher brought in an
IBM 5110 computer, the predecessor to the IBM PC.
I was immediately hooked and ended up getting a
job that summer programming in New York City.
TN: What did you study in college?
BC: I majored in physics up until my senior year and
then switched to computer science because I felt
that there was more opportunity to advance the
state of the art in that relatively new field.
TN: Where did you study?
BC: I ended up getting a BSE in Electrical Engineering
and Computer Science from Princeton.
TN: So that’s all? And, Fast Track?
BC: I pulled together a unique combination of specialists
who could help Fortune 50 companies and start-ups
get out in front of their competition. We were agile
and able to work quickly. We provided web, software
and app development solutions. When I joined
Launch, I found that you were the perfect extension
to scale what we were doing. You folks also buy-in
to the concept of working smartly and quickly.
TN: And how’s that working out for you.
BC: So far, so good. Leading the AI team here has
already led to several engagements.
TN: Tell us something we should know about you.
BC: Well, my wife is a sociologist. She keeps me
very honest when it comes to AI and how it
could affect the global market. And how data
could be utilized if in the wrong hands.
TN: Wow. You must have some interesting
dinner conversations.
BC: Very.
TN: Thanks BC. We’re very happy you’re here.
BC: Thank you, and so am I.
or a technologist?
//42
BC: Yeah, but I rather not share it, it’s kind of embarrassing.
TN: That’s understandable. Ok, what
did you do at Microsoft?
BC: I worked on Windows 1.0, Multi-Media, and OS2. As part
of this work, I helped develop Microsoft’s first browser.
TN: So, what did you do after Microsoft?
BC: I started hDC, the first Windows-only software company
and I ran that for about ten years. We were acquired by
WRQ, where I remained as CTO for a while and helped
spearhead a few of their more noteworthy products.
And then I started Fast Track Team. Along the way,
I helped Microsoft run its Imagine Cup worldwide
student competition for 10 years. I also designed
and built the Smart Home of the Year in 2006.