People
We are a small team of web designers and developers with a professional commitment to excellent quality, lightweight process and clear communication.
Chad Pytel
Founder and CEO
Chad Pytel has nine years of experience in tech support and software services, and is a skilled programmer and project manager with expert problem solving skills. Chad is responsible for the day-to-day operations of thoughtbot — and also acts in an ongoing business consulting and project management role for our clients. He released a book, published by Apress, titled Pro ActiveRecord for Ruby: Databases with Ruby and Rails. Chad graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) with bachelor of science degrees in both Computer Science and Humanities & Arts (Drama/Theatre).
Jon Yurek
Founder and CTO
Jon Yurek is an experienced programmer with proven problem solving skills and the tenacity to attack complex problems head-on. Jon is responsible for all technical aspects of the custom application development operations of the company. He coauthored a book, published by Apress, titled Pro ActiveRecord for Ruby: Databases with Ruby and Rails. Jon graduated from WPI with a B.S. degree in Computer Science.
Matt Jankowski
COO
Matt Jankowski manages thoughtbot’s New York City office, and leads the sales, marketing and business development activities for the organization. Prior to joining thoughtbot, Matt worked as a software engineer for a high throughput computing consultancy, as webmaster for an entertainment technology equipment vendor, and as co-founder and CTO for a publishing industry startup. Matt holds a B.S. degree in Technical Communication from WPI.
Jared Carroll
Web Developer
Jared is an experienced software engineer with an interest in development best practices, TDD, and programming patterns. He believes that the language or framework being used by a team doesn’t really matter — and that quality results are “all about the developers”. Jared has recently relocated from the Harvard area in Boston to San Francisco.
Dan Lawless Croak
Web Developer
Dan seeks out talented people with the ability to execute on interesting ideas. To that end, he hired thoughtbot in 2006 and liked them so much he joined the team in 2007. He runs thoughtbot’s training program and organizes the Boston.rb hackfests. He contributes to open source Ruby projects such as Shoulda, Clearance, and Quiet Backtrace (now in Rails core). Dan studied political science and philosophy at Holy Cross.
Kevin Burg
Web Designer
Kevin is an experienced New York City web designer with a focus on a user interface driven approach that combines strong visuals and ease of use. After discovering computer based design early in life he went on to study traditional fine art as well as print design before uncovering a passion for interactive media. Kevin’s tumblr is updated on a regular basis.
Mike Burns
Web Developer
Mike Burns has been a Web programmer since before the first bubble burst. He has been the lead programmer on four startups — three while at Northeastern University — in fields ranging from XML database storage to real estate blogging.
Joe Ferris
Web Developer
Joe found home at thoughtbot after spending several years on the freelance and consulting battlefield. He has been coding since he first laid eyes on a computer, and has been a Ruby enthusiast since he discovered Rails in 2005. In his spare time, he plays guitar and frisbee. Joe is an avid 3-letter acronym hater.
Jason Morrison
Web Developer
Jason started programming when he exhausted his family’s collection of Commodore 64 games at the tender age of six, and has been going strong ever since. He believes in empowering people by making light, flexible, open source tools available in science and technology. Jason graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2007 with a B.S. in Computer Science. He loves ultimate frisbee, meeting people with ambition, and delicious Tex-Mex.
Ralph
Chief Evangelist
Ralph has been with thoughtbot since late 2003. He does not hold any formal educational degrees, but he’s a very courteous host and is well respected in the Boston robot community (we think). In his spare time, Ralph is an avid drummer and technical manual enthusiast.
