Who am I?

This is a question which I still do not have a complete answer for. In fact, this blog is one part of my search for a thorough understanding of both my self and the world around me. I believe that these two items, or areas, are inexorably linked. Whether I believe that my thoughts affect the world, that the world affects my thoughts or that my thoughts of the world define me – I see that the two are very closely related. Here we will discuss our thoughts of the world and see what comes of it…

Or, for the less abstract:

Chris Grundemann is a passionate, creative technologist and a strong believer in technology’s power to aid in the betterment of humankind. In his current role as Principal Architect at Myriad360 he is expressing that passion by helping clients build secure technology infrastructures that are easier to operate and scale. If you need help with Security, Networking, Cloud, or Mobility, whether it’s an upgrade, merger, migration, a greenfield build out, or anything in between – give him a shout!

Chris has well over a decade of experience as both a network engineer and architect designing, building, and operating large IP, Ethernet, and Wireless Ethernet networks. He most recently spent a year with at Markley Cloud Services designing and launching a nationwide Infrastructure-as-a-Service network. Prior to joining Markley, Chris was the Director of Deployment and Operationalization (DO) at the Internet Society where he was focused on helping network operators around the globe build the relationships and get the information they need to help ensure that the Internet is truly for everyone. While there he worked to get key Internet technologies, such as IPv6 and DNSSEC, deployed around the globe, to increase the global network engineering community’s participation in the IETF, and to help bootstrap Best Current Operational Practices (BCOP) efforts on five continents. Immediately prior, Chris was focused on technical leadership, innovation, and contributions to standards & specifications as CableLabs‘ Lead Architect of Advanced Network Technologies. While there Chris successfully led their IPv6 deployment coordination efforts to conclusion, co-created and led development of the HIPnet™ home router architecture (which facilitates self-configuring multi-router home networks) from initial ideation through prototype demonstration, and won the coveted CableLabs ‘Inventor of the Year’ award for 2012 (he currently has 8 patents with 3 more pending). Before that, Chris was responsible for setting forward looking architectures and leading technology development efforts at tw telecom inc. Chris has also worked as a Network Engineer for Virtela Communications and as the Manager of Network Systems and Operations at WavMax Broadband/Hometown Access.

In addition to his professional career, Chris has remained consistently engaged in the broader Internet community. He is currently serving as President of IX-Denver, Vice President of ISOC-NY (and liaison to NYNOG), Chair of the Open-IX standards development committee, and Program Committee (PC) member for AfPIF. He has previously held leadership and advisory positions with CO ISOC, ARIN, NANOG, RMv6TF, CEA, UPnP, DLNA, and several others.

Chris has written two books: Day One: Exploring IPv6 and Day One: Advanced IPv6 Configuration; as well as an IETF RFC, various industry papers, a personal weblog, and several other publications, including contributions to CircleID, Packet Pushers, and Forbes. He is often sought out to present at conferences, trade shows, and NOGs around the world.

Chris’ specialties include infrastructure design, protocol design, consensus building, technology evangelism, research and development (R&D), leading collaborative groups, communicating abstract ideas to diverse audiences, and generally getting stuff done!

Chris is currently based in Brooklyn, NY and can be reached via Twitter.

Perhaps more importantly:  I am a Father, a Brother and a Son (in reverse chronological order).  I am a lover, a fighter and a friend (in no particular order).  I am Curious. I am Boisterous. I’m an Autotelic Autodidact. I’m a Heretic. I’m a Rider of Boards and a Writer of Words. I’m a Time Traveler. I’m a Neophile. I’m also passionate about technology and a strong believer in it’s power to aid in the betterment of humankind – I guess that makes me a combination Humanist / Creative|Technologist…

You can read a little more about why I initially built a personal website here and you can read a little more about me here.

You can find me on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter as well – or email me: chris at chrisgrundemann dot com.

Please feel free to contact me about speaking engagements, business ideas, book deals, media interviews and any other potentially interesting opportunities.