35 Years of Code Connection and Change

They say you should never reveal your age in this industry, but after 35 incredible years in software development, I believe experience is something to be celebrated, not concealed. From my early days at Syracuse University's help desk to leading teams and innovating with cutting-edge technologies, my journey has been anything but ordinary.

While still in college, I dove headfirst into the world of coding. I launched my first consulting business, developing software for an insurance company called Quick Quote and creating a custom integration between dBase II and a brand-new HP LaserJet for a law firm to print beautifully formatted bills. I even helped a plastic packaging company generate labels and worked on a brilliant concept called "I'm Smart NY," where we provided a service to drive people and their cars home to avoid DWIs—a precursor to ride-sharing services like Uber. All of this before I turned 22.

My mother, a NYC school teacher, wasn't thrilled with my nocturnal work habits—working at night and sleeping during the day. She convinced me to take a "real" job in NYC, so I traded my $40K/year consulting gig for a $22K/year position at Compensation and Capital, LLC. There, I worked alongside lawyers and actuaries, building defined contribution and benefits tracking applications. I was writing full-stack code before the term even existed, crafting applications in 'C' and MASM on 286 PCs with monochrome green screens—a canvas where code became art.

A pivotal moment came when I attended the OS/2 1.0 developers conference in Anaheim, California. Back then, Anaheim was an eclectic mix of bikers and tech enthusiasts, not just the home of Disneyland. The conference was buzzing with energy, fueled by Jolt Cola and a shared passion for innovation. I found myself among hardware gurus learning to build device drivers and exploring a brand-new graphical UI called Presentation Manager—the precursor to Windows. Bill Gates himself showcased streaming stock quotes running in PM.

It was there I met Steve Ballmer, who was then the main salesman for Microsoft's FORTRAN compiler and developer tools. Over drinks—perhaps the last time he ever bought anyone a round—he told me, "Son, bet your career on OS/2." I took his advice to heart, and while I might have missed an opportunity to join Microsoft in California, that moment fueled my passion for operating systems and development.

Joining IBM felt like coming home. I worked at Glendale Labs near Endicott, NY—the birthplace of VM/CMS. I was assigned to the SAA Procedures Language for OS/2, known as REXXSAA. IBM had this visionary concept of Systems Application Architecture (SAA), aiming for consistency across all its platforms: Mainframes (360/370), Midrange Systems (System/36, System/38), and PCs starting with OS/2. It was a time of bold ideas and even bolder implementations.

I was sent to Boca Raton to work on the GUI pieces of REXX and then to Rochester, Minnesota, to learn about a new midrange system—the AS/400. Our version of REXX was so well-received for OS/2 that my team was tasked with porting it to OS/400. Since there was no 'C' compiler available and REXX was written in 'C', we collaborated with the Toronto Labs to build one. The frequent relocations (earning IBM the nickname "I've Been Moved") eventually led me back to New York City.

I joined Information Builders—a hotspot for software developers in NYC. Over the next decade, I delved deep into connectivity software, working with protocols like NetBIOS, LU6.2, IPX/SPX, TCP/UDP, and many others. I built a platform-independent connectivity layer named ODIN (since we were replacing a product named Hermes, it felt appropriate). We integrated systems across DOS, OS/2, Windows NT, NetWare, VAX/VMS, AS/400, AIX, Solaris, HP/UX, Tandem NonStop, CP/CMS, CICS, MVS, and some early versions of Linux—it was like conducting an orchestra where every instrument spoke a different language.

As the programming manager and chief architect of EDA/PC development, I led a team of 15 developers. Together, we pioneered data access products for enterprise integration. One of the most fascinating projects was designing the IBI XML Connector Toolkit—a suite combining an XML application server (used to implement SOAP services), an XML document generator that converted SQL result sets, and an XML/MQ Series-based message exchange system—a precursor to the web services we rely on today.

I vividly remember booting up the very first Java application server on a 386 box—it guzzled memory and took 15 minutes just to start. Our CEO at the time, Gerry Cohen, remarked, "Marc, this Java stuff will never fly." Little did we know, we'd build an additional $100 million business on it over the next few years.

After a fulfilling decade, I ventured into the startup world. I joined Crossborder Exchange Corp to build an MVP of the Swift Membrain—a global settlement audit system for cross-border transactions between global custody banks. We were a neutral Swiss entity, providing transparency in global finance. However, when J.P. Morgan Chase acquired our primary investor, our neutrality vanished, and our clients withdrew. Within weeks, I was tasked with dismantling the very team I had built—a bittersweet end to an exhilarating chapter.

I took some time off, reflecting on the beach, before being invited back to iWay Software. There, I was responsible for building integration products on Microsoft platforms. Over 15 years, alongside brilliant minds like John Senor and David Watson, we grew the company from a handful of products to hundreds. I embraced agile methodologies early on, purchasing an unlimited user site license for Jira for just $3,000—a tool that became instrumental in our development process.

As Chief Software Architect, I led a global team of 83 developers across New York, Chennai, and Vancouver, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. We developed cloud-native implementations, data governance tools, and real-time visibility solutions like Data Governance Manager and iWay Enable—a complex event processing product designed for real-time, non-invasive visibility into automated business processes.

One of my proudest achievements was being named the inventor of record for US Patent No. 20050149941—a framework for adapters used in enterprise application integration. I also served as the primary technical liaison with Microsoft's BackOffice Division, strengthening our strategic partnerships.

In 2015, recognizing the shifting tides, I ventured into the world of hospitality and quick-service restaurants. I founded Smash Data, Inc., aiming to provide enterprise-quality tools to help restaurant owners manage their locations and understand their sales in real-time. Our first product, Smashboard, became a game-changer for our customers, transforming raw data into actionable insights. One of my first clients was Joe Germanotta, owner of Joanne Trattoria and father of Lady Gaga. Developing "Pos to Pocket" for him was both a challenge and a thrill.

As startups often go, financial challenges arose. I took on consulting roles, which led me to BuildingLink.com, an innovative SaaS platform enhancing the living experience in luxury residential properties. Acting as the "big picture" architect, I drove conversations on resilient code, developer experience, and modern architectural practices. We built DataLink, a powerful analytics platform, and developed Alexa Skills to provide residents with real-time information using voice commands.

My journey then led me to PAR Technology as Chief of Staff in the Office of the CTO. I established governance around technology selection, acted as CTO on new projects, and fostered an engineering culture focused on modernization and cloud adoption. We planned and designed the 2025 Unified Commerce NorthStar, setting the vision for the company's future.

Today, through Codemarc Consulting LLC, I provide architectural development and professional guidance for organizations embarking on modernization efforts and cloud journeys. I navigate the complexities of infrastructure, provisioning, orchestration, and observability, ensuring technology serves as a catalyst for growth. I've worked on projects ranging from logistics with Intelligent Audit to building data analytics platforms that drive business decisions.

Looking back, it's been an incredible ride filled with challenges, triumphs, and countless lines of code. I've learned that experience isn't just about the years—it's about the passion, the willingness to embrace change, and the joy of mentoring and connecting with others. From coding on monochrome screens to designing cloud-native architectures, my journey has been a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

So here's to not hiding our age, but embracing the wealth of knowledge and experience it represents. I'm excited about the next chapter and where this rabbit hole will lead. If my journey resonates with you or if you're on a similar path, let's connect and explore how we can innovate together.