The Early Years
Born with a KeyboardIt could be argued that Kip Massey was born with a keyboard strapped on his back. Writing his first application in Applesoft BASIC on an Apple IIe for the school library in 5th grade, Kip's journey into technology began early and with purpose.
With the guidance of an amazing mentor, Kip was burning EPROMs by age 11. Privileged to have access to the world's first digitizer, this gave him an upper hand in the underground "Demo Scene"—a competition of sorts between the elite in the hacker scene during the BBS boom.
Lessons Learned
Growth Through ExperienceAt age 15, the Secret Service, armed with a search warrant, showed up at Kip's door, confiscating all his computers. Although regrettable, valuable lessons were learned. Eight months later, Kip's equipment was returned, and the learning continued—this time with a deeper understanding of responsibility and ethics in technology.
Experience with Deep Roots
Professional Journey
After high school, a brief stint at a local college was cut short when Kip was offered a position with a well-funded startup. This opportunity marked the beginning of a remarkable professional journey filled with invaluable lessons and rapid growth.
With more experience under his belt, Kip moved on to eventually become CTO of a couple of different small telecom companies, followed by years of constant development and management roles. Each position brought new challenges and opportunities to refine both technical and leadership skills.
Witnessing History
Truly blessed to be in the right place at the right time, Kip has had the privilege of witnessing the birth of the internet and the explosion of the World Wide Web to what it is today—and being actively involved in all of it. From the early days of dial-up BBSs to modern cloud infrastructure, Kip's career spans the entire evolution of digital technology.
Key Milestones
- First programming experience at age 10 (5th grade)
- Hardware engineering with EPROMs by age 11
- Active participant in the Demo Scene during the BBS era
- Professional career began with a well-funded startup
- Chief Technology Officer at multiple telecom companies
- Decades of development and management experience
- Witnessed and participated in the evolution of the internet
Today
Today, Kip Massey and his small team focus on consulting services with long-standing clients and are selective about new projects. This approach allows for deep engagement with meaningful work while maintaining the high standards of quality and innovation that have defined Kip's entire career.
The journey from a curious 5th grader writing BASIC programs to a seasoned technology leader has been marked by continuous learning, adaptation, and a genuine passion for solving complex problems through technology.
Technical Evolution
Kip's technical journey spans multiple generations of technology:
- Early computing: Apple IIe, Applesoft BASIC
- Hardware: EPROM programming, digitizers
- BBS era: Underground demo scene
- Internet evolution: From dial-up to broadband
- Telecom: CTO-level infrastructure
- Modern web: Full-stack development
- Current: Cloud, security, architecture
Philosophy
Continuous LearningThroughout his career, Kip has maintained a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation. The technology landscape has changed dramatically since those early days with the Apple IIe, but the core principles remain: curiosity, problem-solving, and a dedication to excellence.
Every challenge, whether a success or a setback, has contributed to a deep well of practical knowledge that informs every project and consultation today.
