Meet Austin Flores.  Austin is one of the newest engineers at Cloudspace and is currently working with our Professional Services team.  He came to us from the UCF Techrangers in December last year; yet another programmer we have snatched from them.  Not only is Austin a skilled engineer but he is also a talented swing dancer and beer connoisseur.  He makes his own beer (all different kinds that are yummy) and teaches dance on Friday nights at UCF.  So check him out if you want to learn some moves and drink some homemade brew.  Now on with the interview...

Where were you born? Where did you grow up & what was it like there?

"I was born in Port St. Lucie, FL. At the time there wasn't much there, now there are a bunch of houses, a beach and no self-sustaining economy. So, it's pretty dull unless you like the beach, houses or a job in the service sector."

What types of activities did you enjoy as a kid? What is your favorite outdoor activity?

"I used to build forts as a child. I like camping currently, though I don't go very often."

What was your first job?

"I worked at a car wash."

What got you into computers?

"Video games got me into computers. Ironically I don't play them anymore."

What was one of the first online projects you worked on?

"A website for swing dancers."

What attracted you to working for Cloudspace?

"I was interested in web development and some of my friends told me good things."

What have you liked most about working at Cloudspace?

"The group atmosphere/dynamic. Also, I feel like I am able to grow as a developer here."

What do you do for fun?

"I swing dance about 3 times a week. So I suppose that makes me an avid dancer."

Do you have any pets?

"I have a fish in a television fish tank."

What is the last book you read?

"I am looking through a Rails book. I last read a book called Nada which in certain ways can be compared to The Sun Also Rises"

What was the last movie you went to see? What is your favorite movie?

"Let the Right One In (Swedish Vampire Love Story); Pulp Fiction."

If you were car what kind of car would you be? Why?

"If I were a car I would be the type of car that is smaller, most likely a two-seater. I would be one of the newer cars which are partially electric as to not emit too much greenhouse gasses but since everyone knows that cars live in the ocean, my electric car motor would kill me. Consequently, I am happy I am not a car"

What is your favorite drink/food?

"I like beer. I make beer. It is interesting. More regularly, I just drink water though. I like salsa and also make that. Home-made salsa is almost always better than store-bought."

What is the best trip you've ever taken?

"It is a yearly trip to Asheville, NC. Each year, five days before New Years, dancers come from all over the country to this event to learn and dance. It is awesome."

Name three people you would like to meet?

"Chaplin, Kid Koala, The person responsible for making Java Stout"

If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?

"Captain Tyler from Irresponsible Captain Tyler (without the spaceship)"

Why are manhole covers round?

"Because round covers use less material than square ones and the triangular ones killed too many people and were recalled."

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

"Arnold Schwarzenegger"

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

"Teleportation!"

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

"Teleportation!"

How would you describe yourself in three words?

"Enthusiastic, Awesome, Modest"

What is your favorite word?

"Disestablishmentarianism, or Estacionamiento"

What sound or noise do you love?

"Jazz"

What sound or noise do you hate?

"The sound that modems make."

You can find Austin on most social networks as ctrl4ltdeleteme or MrAustin.

Thanks for doing the interview Austin!  I hope you have enjoyed getting to know him and take him up on those dance lessons.  Next week I introduce you the CEO at Cloudspace, Michael Orr.