Derby City

I was born, raised, and still live in the Derby City — better known to most as Louisville, Kentucky. This city is home to more than just bourbon and bluegrass; it's a place rich with tradition, energy, and unforgettable experiences. Louisville shines brightest on the first Saturday in May, when the world turns its eyes to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. But the celebration starts long before that, with Thunder Over Louisville — one of the largest fireworks displays in the country and the explosive kickoff to Derby Festival season. Baseball fans know us as the birthplace of the iconic Louisville Slugger bats used across Major League Baseball. We're also proud to host the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. And if soccer is your game, you already know: Louisville City FC is the most successful team in USL Championship history. They've claimed the Players' Shield two years running, and the quest for a third begins this March.

Education - University of the Cumberlands - Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Sciences

I am currently a senior at the University of the Cumberlands, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Sciences degree. This is my third semester in the program, and I expect to complete my degree at the end of this summer. Finishing this degree marks the beginning of the next phase of my life and career. My immediate goal is to retire from my current job at 55 and transition into a new position while staying in Information Technology. To prepare for that shift, I'm also working toward several professional certifications to enhance my attractability to future employers. I'm currently studying for the Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) certification, using Pluralsight. I had initially planned to pursue the Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) as well. Still, after completing the CompTIA Cloud+ course at UC, I've decided to focus on earning the CompTIA Cloud+ certification instead. I also plan to pursue the CompTIA Security+ certification to strengthen my technical foundation further and provide a wide availability to future employers.