Who We Are :: Team
Everybody on our team is curious. We went out of our way to find a diverse group of smart people who think about problems and solutions in different ways. The biggest thing we have in common is a desire to understand the big picture and build solutions to solve the real problems.
Josh Golden, Managing Director
An armchair economist, Josh sees the world as the sum of benefits versus costs. After spending too much time at companies where the costs of technology outweighed its benefits, he founded Table XI. Josh leads the Table XI strategy consulting team that identifies opportunities for improvement in client organizations. When he isn’t busy with client work or taking out the trash, Josh is responsible for sales, administration, and business development.
Prior to Table XI, Josh was a technology consultant to 2200 Ventures, a Chicago-based venture capital firm. In the spring of 2000, he founded UpZing, a startup that designed and implemented large-scale wireless data networks. Before being bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, Josh worked for OurHouse.com, William M. Mercer, and The Kellogg Graduate School of Management doing computational decision-support.
Josh managed to pay attention to school long enough to complete a B.A. in Economics at the University of Chicago. He lives in Chicago where he eats at more restaurants than most critics.
Email: josh@tablexi.comJordan Ho, Director of Client Services
The conventional wisdom of “jack of all trades, master of none” doesn’t seem to apply to Jordan. Gifted with a broad set of skills and expertise from managing people to design and art, he is responsible for delivering large projects on-time and within budget. Jordan’s focus on the big picture while managing the minutiae that come with successful software development consistently delivers systems that better serve their intended purpose. When he’s not otherwise occupied, Jordan assists Josh in sales and business development as a sales engineer, providing another experienced voice in framing each technological solution.
Prior to his work with Table XI, Jordan was the Installation Architect for Catylist Real Estate Software where he interfaced with clients to deliver complete commercial real estate portals. Previously, Jordan founded Raydium, a web usability software company and led an independent contracting group before Table XI absorbed its operations in 2003.
Jordan has a B.S. in Human Communication Sciences and Disorders from Northwestern University. He also double-majored in Art Theory and Practice and after graduating, was an apprentice to renowned artist Ed Paschke. Jordan lives in Chicago with his talented and beautiful wife Marlene and not particularly talented nor beautiful cat Naomi.
Email: jordan@tablexi.comWebsite: http://www.sneakstar.com
Samantha Arnold, Director of Project Management
As project manager Samantha cracks the whip to ensure developers stay on task and deadlines are met.
Before coming to Table XI, Samantha was a project and release manager for Oprah.com where she was responsible for the planning and execution of all software releases and infrastructure upgrades to Oprah.com. Rumor has it that Samantha’s departure from Harpo was the final straw in Oprah’s decision to quit her TV show and leave Chicago.
In addition to Oprah.com, Samantha has worked in software management roles at howstuffworks.com, mobiletravelguide.com and consumerguide.com. Samantha received her B.A. in History from Valparaiso University and then moved onto the University of Notre Dame to continue her study of social, cultural, political, theological and architectural history. She’d be happy to tell you about the consequences of improper logistical planning using Napoleon’s Russian campaign of 1812 as an example.
If she’s not biking around Chicago with her family (last week she rode into the office when it was four degrees outside!!!), she’s probably catching up on the Volvo Ocean Race, Nebraska football, or hiding out in a used bookstore.
And no, she cannot get you tickets to an Oprah taping.
Matthew Lineen, Director of Technology
Like all great programmers, Matthew is working to build a framework that puts him out of a job. To this end, he is the principal architect of the underlying technological platform used to build applications for our clients. He also serves as a lead developer and has extensive experience implementing database-driven websites to automate and optimize business processes. Matthew architects and co-manages the redundant Table XI server and network infrastructure that host the applications we build.
Prior to his work with Table XI, Matthew was the Manager of Information Systems and Operations for the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University. Previously, he served as the student head of Northwestern University’s residential networking program, interned with ActiveBuddy.com building artificially intelligent instant messaging robots, and worked at Heartland Information Systems and Matrix Technologies building and maintaining medical and engineering computing infrastructure.
Matthew has a B.S. with departmental honors in Computer Science from Northwestern University. Matthew lives a stone’s throw from office so that he can race to work via zip-line in case of an emergency.
Email: matt@tablexi.comRichard Wu, Development
Rich doesn't say much. But when he does, we're sure to listen. Rich is a software developer with Table XI. An expert in interface design, he keeps on top of the newest developments in the technology world and helps determine which new tools and techniques should be incorporated into Table XI systems.
Prior to his work with Table XI, Rich was a programmer for the CCIM Institute, where he developed applications to enhance the functionality of the website for members as well as streamline processes for staff. Previously, he was a self-employed technology consultant versed in a multitude of programming languages, software applications, and hardware environments.
Rich has a BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In Rich's ideal world, every single piece of electronic gadgetry he owns would sing together in perfect harmony. In reality, it's not quite there.
Email: rich@tablexi.comLucas Panjer, Development
Lucas is a software developer at Table XI. Lucas has been with the company from the start, and routinely leads Table XI development teams. Lucas is an expert in development process and collaboration, and works closely with Matthew to improve how the Table XI team functions. His Master’s thesis, entitled “Towards a broader understanding of coordination in software engineering: a case study of a software development team” is available for download.
Prior to his work with Table XI, Lucas was a Software Engineer in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University where he designed and developed extensible data management systems. Previously, he worked on software and database projects for Therapy Partners, a Canadian community-based healthcare service provider. Lucas completed a highly acclaimed undergraduate thesis working with Gordon Campbell at the National Resource Council’s Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute. He built an innovative system to automatically generate animations of actual human heart behavior from successive CT and MRI data.
Lucas has an M.Sc. Computer Science with a specialization in Software Engineering from the University of Victoria, Canada, and a B.S. with honors in Computer Science from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Lucas telecommutes to Table XI from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and perpetually reminds everybody at the office how cold the Chicago weather is.
Email: lucas@tablexi.comErik Schwartz, Development
Erik is a software developer at Table XI. Erik works as a swing man, assisting the rest of the team bringing his broad experience to bear on projects requiring additional effort. Well-versed in many of the technologies used by the Table XI team, Erik is always eager to learn new ways to develop software and enjoys exploring cutting edge technologies.
Prior to his work with Table XI, Erik was the Principal Web Developer and Technology Consultant for Dusty Groove records where he built and managed the large e-commerce site of the eclectic retailer. Previously, he worked for the AJ Lewis Center for Environmental Studies at Oberlin College where he built applications to administer and interface with the building’s embedded computing systems.
Erik has a B.A. in Computer Science from Oberlin College. Erik has a unique fashion sense and showed up for his initial interview wearing amazing Velcro shoes. Erik can often be seen cruising around the west side of Chicago on his tandem bike co-powered by his new wife Smith.
Email: erik@tablexi.comGreg Baugues, Business Analysis and Sales
Greg is a business developer and analyst at Table XI. Greg helps Table XI identify new sales opportunities and participates in the gathering of business requirements. Beyond his primary role, Greg has extensive experience both on the business and technical sides of consulting and software development and provides Table XI with a flexible and dependable team player.
Prior to his work with Table XI, Greg was an Account Executive with Kirix Corporation where he both drove sales of an enterprise software package and built the PHP-based CRM system that was used to manage the sales process. Previously, Greg co-founded debtforsale.com which was acquired by e-debt.com in 2000. Greg has also worked as a freelance web developer and technology consultant for a number of organizations around Chicago and Champaign, IL. Greg has taught classes on web development, DreamWeaver and PHP at Digital Bootcamp since early 2005.
Greg studied computer science and economics at the University of Illinois, Champaign. Greg lives in Chicago and enjoys eating samples of food from Alinea that his roommate brings home from work.
Email: greg@tablexi.comJohn Gore, Systems / Development
Our first “southern” addition to the team, John Gore relocated from Auburn, Alabama to join the Table XI team in March, 2008. John serves as the primary systems administrator of the Table XI hosting environment. However, like many folks at Table XI, John has a dual role and also works as an extremely capable software developer.
Prior to his work with Table XI, John was a software architect and systems administrator for Auburn Engineers where he designed web applications to manage ergonomics for Fortune 50 companies. Previously, John ran his own computer consulting business, “Geek for Hire,” and completed a co-op placement at FujiFilm.
John has an M.S. and B.S. in Software Engineering from Auburn University. While still in school, John met one of our close associates leading World of Warcraft raids decked out in pink pigtails. Further bolstering his nerd “cred”, he’s routinely found around the office wearing t-shirts with code-related jokes on them.
Email: john@tablexi.comByron Galbraith, Development
Byron is a software developer at Table XI. Byron provides development and support coverage for Table XI projects that need extra effort and domain-specific assistance. Byron is currently pursuing an M.S. in Bioinformatics at Marquette University where his research focuses on harnessing the power of graphics processors to speed up large-scale simulations of biological neural networks.
Prior to Table XI, Byron was the Systems Analyst/Programmer for the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University, where he managed the general IT operations of the department while investigating and developing new initiatives. Previously, Byron worked as a Technical Consultant for Aon Risk Services where he developed and led numerous business reporting and ETL projects.
Byron has a B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a focus in Neural Engineering. Byron telecommutes to Table XI from Milwaukee, Wisconsin but makes regular train trips to the office to enjoy the food. With what little free time he has remaining, Byron enjoys playing Australian Rules football and the occasional DJ gig.
Email: byron@tablexi.comDaniel Strabley, Graphics / Development
Daniel is the first in-house designer hired by Table XI. Using a myriad of overpriced Adobe software, Daniel designs the user interfaces and layouts for our web sites and applications. Beyond this primary role Daniel also develops standards-compliant front-end code for the web.
Prior to Table XI, Daniel served as a Senior Designer for closerlook inc. where he designed web sites and promotional materials for the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Previously, Daniel free-lanced for multiple design studios across the country working on projects ranging from selling crickets online to promoting Lexus automobiles.
Daniel received his B.F.A in Visual Communications from Southern Illinois University Carbondale before moving to Chicago in 2006. Daniel is an avid music collector and proud owner of the noisiest parrot in the Windy City.
Email: daniel@tablexi.comWebsite: http://www.associatedflavors.com
Ellen Brast, Research and Administration
One week after Ellen joined our team, it was clear that we had waited far too long to find her. Blending intellectual curiosity with a down to earth pragmatism, Ellen attends to many of the things that typically fall through the cracks at an organization like Table XI. Ellen serves as our office manager, research guru, and believe it or not, chef. While her incredible culinary creations receive a lot of attention, it’s her ability to cheerfully and effectively handle so many various tasks, from big to small, that makes her an absolutely essential member of the team.
Prior to Table XI, Ellen stayed at home with her wonderful children and kept the books for her husband’s stone flooring company. Previously, Ellen was an Information Specialist in the law library of Gardner, Carton & Douglas where she assisted lawyers and other librarians with in-depth research tasks.
Ellen received her B.A. in Political Science from Miami University in Ohio. Ellen is a serious gourmand, and her home-based culinary projects would put many professional chefs to shame.
Email: ellen@tablexi.comJoin Our Team
Are you interested in joining Table XI? We are always looking for smart and curious people to join our tight-knit group. Please direct your resume via email to jobs@tablexi.com.
Team
- Josh Golden
Management/Sales - Jordan Ho
Strategy/Client Services - Samantha Arnold
Project Management - Matt Lineen
Technology - Richard Wu
Development - Lucas Panjer
Development - Erik Schwartz
Development - Greg Baugues
Business Analysis/Sales - John Gore
Systems/Development - Byron Galbraith
Development - Daniel Strabley
Graphics/Development - Ellen Brast
Research/Administration