Patrick
Thurmond

About me

I am Patrick Thurmond, a highly skilled PHP developer, currently working as Associate Director of Technology at VMLY&R. I have been a professional web developer for 16 years now. Prior to that, I dabbled in web development for about 8 years, finally settling into PHP development primarily.

I have worked in many areas of the computer industry including phone-based helpdesk, hands-on computer repair (desktops, laptops, and projectors), installation of computer networks, and even ran a computer repair service that repaired computers on-site (at homes and businesses).

My wide-ranging skill set primarily includes PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. I also possess foundational knowledge in Java, Python, Ruby, and C++, with my experience being more focused on web development. In the realm of design, I am adept at creating templates from PSD files and innovating or enhancing visual elements.

My areas of skill are wide-ranging, I have worked not only in computer repair and networking but also in programming and databases. I have also worked on a number of different websites from e-commerce (like the Shopify work I did for Q-Collar), trucking and shipping, computer chip die analysis reporting systems, and advertising, to blogs, portfolios, massive product platforms (such as Gearwrench.com), and simple galleries.

I have worked with many different technologies including Laravel, Drupal, WordPress, PHP, CakePHP, Vue.js, React, social networks, RSS, XML, AJAX UIs, communication APIs, and many other systems.

Origins of Passion

My interest in electronics and computers can be traced back to one interesting experience early on in life. My dad used to buy me the ATARI gaming system. Since they were already old when I was using them they often stopped working. At some point when I was in second or third grade I had built up a pile of five ATARIs in the corner of my bedroom. I got curious, grabbed a screwdriver, and took all of them apart. With the parts scattered all over the floor, I began inspecting everything and I noticed that a lot of the parts were dusty and some even looked blackened or dark brown.

I had heard various things about electronics and their care growing up, so I grabbed a bottle of rubbing alcohol along with Q-tips and started cleaning all the parts. After I was satisfied that everything was clean I then started mixing and matching parts that didn't look blackened or browned, putting together 3 consoles that had clean parts and what I considered good-looking parts. I finally put everything back together and lo and behold I managed to get three of the consoles working. I was hooked. Thus, a lifelong fascination with electronics was born.

This kind of electronics work continued with Nintendo game systems, both mine and those owned by my friends, and then to my computers. My first computer was a Compaq Presario 486DX running Windows 3.1. I quickly broke Windows when I tried to install a new Windows shell, prompting a two-year learning adventure with DOS. I finally figured out how I misconfigured the system.ini file and managed to fix it. I had to learn the hard way, but it taught me a lot and only spurred more passion for computers.