It’s about me!

Recently, I was invited to share some thoughts about myself and this business with the local community newspaper.  I thought this blog might be a good storage place for this miscellaneous data–just in case it never makes it to print.  :) 

Name:  Dawn Green

Place and date of birth:  Quincy, Massachusetts

Family members and what they do:  3 daughters at Westlake and Hill Country

Education:  BS Computer Science, Texas A&M, Corpus Christi

Occupation: Programmer/Project Manager

What’s your career ambition?   Every programmer or software development company strives to build great software.  Even better is to create software that incorporates enough functionality that it is sold repeatedly, a principle referred to as “write once, sell many.”  My goal is to develop a great software products that find a worldwide market. 

What is the latest project in which you are involved?   Our business developed a ticketing application that allows small venues–such as Zach-Scott Theater or the Westlake Chaps football program–to sell tickets online with the benefits of full reporting, assigned seating, and other important factors to venue management.  ThunderTix is the culmination of a few years of effort that is taking root and beginning to find an audience.

What is your favorite Westbank area business?  Westbank Flowers.  The first time I received roses from them, I was stunned by how beautiful they were.  When they began to wilt a day later, Keith, the owner, brought a new and equally beautiful batch.  Their arrangements and customer service have earned my repeat business!

Hobbies:  Taekwondo,  tennis, soccer, guitar, and reading everything!

What qualities in people draw you to be their friend?  My favorite people make me laugh, they inspire me, and they care about others.

I have a knack for:  Understanding the web and what it can do for a business.

The one thing I’d like to change about the Westbank is:  I’d put sidewalks on Bee Caves Road!   Most significant or interesting job:  The one I’m in.  I love my work!

Which of your professional or civic-oriented accomplishments make you the most proud?   Several years ago, several colleagues and I worked with a group dedicated to teaching young mothers and fathers how to parent.  We took their office from stone age to the digital age by procuring computers, network help, and all layers in between by soliciting donations from local businesses for labor and equipment.  The end result was immensely rewarding.

Excluding family members, who influenced you most and why?  There are too many people who have influenced me to name one.  In short, I have been most influenced and inspired by my colleagues.    What would you say is one interesting fact about you that people probably don’t know?   When I grow up, I want to be a woodworker!   

What is your fondest childhood memory?  Building tree forts with friends in the woods that surrounded my neighborhood.

A bad habit I have is:  You can see it in my waistline….beer!

My most humorous moment was:  When I was a teenager, I visited San Antonio with a friend.  Being from Boston, we were unfamiliar with the Texas twang–in particular, the pronunciation of the letter W as “dub-ya”.  One day, we laughed to the point of hysteria when we asked for directions and heard the location address:  “Ubby Dubby White Street.”  It wasn’t until my thirties that I saw the sign for W. W. White Street that I realized the street’s true name!   You can bet I called my friend and shared the news!

If you could sit down and ask questions of anyone (living or dead) who would it be and why?  I could not be more different than Martha Stewart, but I admire what she has done in business.  I would relish the opportunity to meet her, and learn about her challenges and successes.

My pet peeve is:  Waiting–especially if I have nothing to read.

In what historical event would you like to have participated?  Freeing the Jews from concentration camps.

What advice do you hope your child/children take(s) to heart?  Treat people like you want to be treated; don’t talk about others; and care!

Most exciting or dangerous thing I’ve ever done:  Lot’s of dumb things that I’m too embarrassed to share.

Besides raising children, life’s most challenging endeavor is:  Building a business while maintaining the respect and admiration of my coworkers and clients.

Is there anything in your lifetime that you passed up on doing and wish you had not?  I used to think I should have gone into the military, because I would have enjoyed the physical challenges, lifetime friendships, and camaraderie.  With the war we’re in today, I would give that decision a second thought, but back then, I wish I had joined.

How would you like to be remembered?  As a person that genuinely cares about others, and made others laugh.