It’s a good question, how do you define yourself or what you do? If you have ever tried, it can be a difficult task. Recently I had to task myself with doing that in the context of programming, as I opted to be a panelist for the Converging Media: Cross-platforms for the People session at the FITC2006 in Toronto. Though I was unable to attend the conference, I was finally able to come close to verbalizing in print why I do what I do. Everyone has their own story, their own desire that draws them to this profession, below is what I said mine was:

Kenny Bunch’s passion for programming began at age 8 on an Adam computer. By creating his own choose your own adventure games, he realized early on that he could use the computer as a tool to make his dreams a reality. From that point forward, his mindset became a motivation to create things that would make people’s lives better. The first real world opportunity he was given to achieve this goal was at CNN. Serving as the lead Flash developer, he began working on easing the ways the world consumes information, communicates, and entertains itself. Of course, with every quest, there are many markers before the finish. Moving past CNN, he has held positions as lead Flash application developer at Cartoon Network/Adult Swim and as Software Architect at both Bellsouth and Gametap. In an effort to further expand his vision and experience, Kenny formed Dreamsocket. Alongside the work with Turner, Dreamsocket provided an outlet to work with clients like CBS, Rolling Stone, Nascar, Motorola, IBM, ING, and a host of others. Each of these positions, projects, and experiences has been one more step in the quest. Whether it’s a smile on a child’s face from owning digital cards from Cartoon or connecting long distance friends with communication applications, he is moving forward. However, his goal has not been reached, and each day Kenny strives to do something new in order to give back to world that has given him so much.

So that was my strike at trying to write a quick formal bio. What it doesn’t say is how I came from a small town with no concept of anything other than a factory job at best. What it felt like the time I actually created my first program. Skipping grade school to go to my friend’s house that had a computer. The fact I grew up with very little, but could create something that was more valuable than anything someone else could buy. What it felt like when a child that had nothing described having more digitial cards (in an application I wrote) than all the other kids in school. What it feels like to be where I am now.

Honestly, everyday I wake up I have to pinch myself. It’s hard for me to imagine my life. I have been so fortunate, due to some extremely good luck, some hard work, and some really wonderful friends. I intend to take full advantage of that. As bold as it might sound, I will change the world for the better. Trust me, I’ve got things brewing ;).