How wonderful to know these things about Paul! And that wood-work is amazing.
In 2003 Paul Nelson joined JMP to complete JMP’s Linux effort and maintain it until its retirement with version 8.0.2. He performed the initial porting of JMP to 64-bits with JMP 6’s Linux version. Currently, Paul is responsible for JMP’s internet activation system, the Excel Add-in, part of the initial team on JMP Live, and is now modernizing JMP’s 3D graphics infrastructure. He also supports the Python integration, and leads the code scanning and security effort of JMP’s desktop source code. Paul holds a BS degree in Computer Science and an MS in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University and has held a variety of positions in software and hardware engineering and software development in the aerospace and defense, auto and insurance industries.
Away from the office, Paul enjoys spending time with the people most important people in his life, his family. He also enjoys woodworking, watersking and playing ice hockey. Read on to learn a little more about Paul.
Where were you born?
Lansing, Michigan
What was your first job?
Writing software for a mission planning and situational awareness simulator.
In one word, what's the best thing about your current job?
Variety
List three of your favorite hobbies.
Woodworking, Waterskiing, and playing Ice Hockey
Describe yourself in three words.
Active, Creative, and Honorable
What book are you reading?
Joiner’s Work, by Peter Follansbee, Lost Art Press
What is your favorite movie genre?
Sci-Fi
What is the first web page you go to when you start work?
I never really start the day looking at any specific web page, but I usually have multiple pages always open and available.
If you could have a dinner party with five famous people, who would they be?
Plato, Heron of Alexandria, Benjamin Franklin, Sir Isaac Newton, Leonardo da Vinci
What is your favorite podcast to listen to?
I don’t listen to podcasts.
Name one JMP-related achievement that you're proud of.
It’s actually a three-way tie: Creating JMP’s internet activation system; Porting JMP to 64-bits: and the Excel Profiler.
Name one thing most of your colleagues would be surprised to know.
My grandparents were able to trace our family ancestry here in the United States to pre-revolutionary war times and even further back to ancestry in Scottish clans.
Name one other person in the division who you admire, and describe why in three sentences or fewer.
The first person that comes to mind is Craige Hales, now retired. Large, diverse portions of JMP have been touched by Craige’s talent. On a personal note, he was always welcoming and was a calm, mentoring influence on me and others.
Paul Nelson: This or That
- A mountain holiday over A sea-side holiday
- Cats over Dogs
- Tea over Coffee
- JSL/Python over Graph Builder
- A Restaurant over a Picnic
- Pie over Cake
- Late-night over Morning
- Introvert over Extrovert
- Serious over Silly
- High tech AND Low tech, I like cutting edge tech, but I also enjoy traditional woodworking using only hand tools.
Paul and his wife and daughter enjoying a visit to Disney World..Paul and his wife and daughter enjoying a visit to Disney World..
Paul enjoying waterskiing this summer at his parent’s place in Michigan.Paul enjoying waterskiing this summer at his parent’s place in Michigan.
Of of Paul's recent woodworking projects, a carved oak box made with traditional hand tools, glues and blacksmith forged nails.Of of Paul's recent woodworking projects, a carved oak box made with traditional hand tools, glues and blacksmith forged nails.
Lockdown Madness,: Paul trying his hand at breadmaking, a loaf of sourdough cinnamon raisin bread.Lockdown Madness,: Paul trying his hand at breadmaking, a loaf of sourdough cinnamon raisin bread.
You are a real renaissance man, Paul--impressive!
