John Michne is a big part of the cog-work that makes DiRAD run like a smooth piece of machinery. The day to day management of our sales operations fall on his shoulders, and as one of the owners of the company, he takes his job very seriously. Here’s a short interview with the man himself, giving you more insight into the person behind the title.
Where are you from? Clifton Park, NY
Where did you go to school? I have a BA in Criminal Justice from State University of NY Oswego, and a Master’s in Public Administration from UAlbany.
What positive steps toward your future did you take early in your career? No matter what job I had when I was young, I showed up, worked hard, and if I saw something that needed to be done, I did it. I didn’t wait to be told what to do.
What inspired you to get into your field? I developed a deep interest in computing and technology during my time in government service and started thinking about technology as a career when people started asking me for help with their computers. As I looked for a job, I quickly realized I didn’t know half as much as I should, and would have to find something entry-level.
What did you do prior to working for DiRAD? I was a legislative assistant for a county legislature. After an election resulted in my job loss, I worked at a marina and that became one of the best jobs I ever had!
What made you choose to work at DiRAD? This was 1995. I had planned to propose to my wife as soon as I got a full-time job in technology, and this was the first company that offered me a position. I basically faked knowing a lot more than I actually did — these people were smart! I spent my weekends coming into the office to secretly learn the technology. I proposed to my wife 2 weeks into the new job.
What word would you use to describe the company culture at DiRAD? Family
Tell us about family life –I have 2 boys who are very different from each other. One goes to college for music, and the other goes to a military college. I have an awesome wife who’s an ultra-sonographer, and a dog named Wilson who comes to work with me every day.
Tell us about some of your hobbies – Riding and racing bikes! There is nothing I like better than an epic 8-hour mountain bike race. It takes months if not years to train for and gives me a purpose in my daily exercise routine. I didn’t say I was GOOD at it. To me, finishing is its own victory.