Even though I was born in Montana, I'm a local boy, raised here in Shoreline, graduating from Shoreline H.S.

Right after high school graduation I joined the USMC and served 4 years, traveling throughout much of the far east. I was a 2531 (Field Radio Operator...glorified grunt) and a Sergeant (E-5).

I met and married my wonderful wife of 30 years, Juanita (who teaches at King's Elementary), and we both then attended Seattle Pacific University. I graduated with a B.S. in mathematics and a B.S. in computer science. Recently I finished my Masters there.

Mr. Thompson and his lovely wife Juanita

I spent the next five years as a software engineer in the telecommunications industry doing assembly language and C software design. While I enjoyed my work, I heard the sea calling and joined the Navy as an officer.

SWO pin USN Lieutenant Insignia

I served for four years as a SWO (Surface Warfare Officer) onboard the USS Callaghan (DDG-994) a Kidd class guided missile destroyer. I went around world (literally) and served a tour in the Persian Gulf.

The USS Callaghan (DDG-994)

After my one year old daughter started crying when she saw me (I was at sea almost 90% of the time) I decided the Navy wasn't for me. I returned to civilian life and resumed my career as a software engineer. I worked for 10 years at Applied Microsystems doing work on in-circuit emulators, and then for 5 years in the games industry at Valve Software.

Half-Life 2 Steam Content Delivery System