Who I Am
Hello there! I’m Mike McBrien, a tech enthusiast, audio gear lover, and full-stack developer with a passion for building innovative digital solutions. As a Jesus follower, grateful husband, and devoted father based in Northwest Ohio, I find joy in the intersection of faith, family, technology, and creative problem-solving.
This little corner of the internet serves as my digital canvas – a place to share insights from my professional journey, document my various adventures in making and building, and connect with like-minded individuals who share my passions.
Professional Journey
For over a decade, I’ve worked as a full-stack developer and technical leader, specializing in building high-performing remote teams and delivering solutions that drive measurable business impact. My experience spans e-commerce platform development, cloud infrastructure optimization, and enterprise-grade security implementation.
What drives me professionally is seeing how thoughtfully designed technology can transform businesses and empower people. There’s something deeply satisfying about creating systems that not only meet technical requirements but also make someone’s work life easier or help a business overcome challenges they thought were insurmountable.
As a Tech Lead Manager, I focus on combining servant leadership with pragmatic problem-solving to develop autonomous teams that deliver innovative, scalable solutions. I excel at translating technical complexity into business value while maintaining the optimal balance between process efficiency and time-to-market.
Audio Adventures
When I’m not immersed in code or leading technical teams, you’ll often find me exploring the world of audio. This passion goes beyond casual interest—it’s a lifelong journey of discovery that continues to fascinate me.
From vintage receivers to modern DACs, headphone amplifiers to custom speaker builds, I’m constantly exploring how different components shape our listening experiences. There’s something magical about finding the perfect combination that reveals new details in familiar recordings.
My love for audio extends to making music as well. I play acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass, often experimenting with different sounds and styles. Music provides both a creative outlet and a way to unwind after a day of technical problem-solving.
Maker Mindset
I’m very much a jack of all trades and master of none, with a deep-seated desire to understand how things work. This curiosity has led me down many paths:
Home Renovation Master
I’ve completely renovated my home from top to bottom—tackling everything from electrical rewiring and plumbing to HVAC installation, moving walls, creating new rooms, and tearing down others. There’s incredible satisfaction in transforming spaces with my own hands and understanding the systems that make a house function.
3D Printing & Digital Fabrication
Bringing digital designs into the physical world through 3D printing has become one of my favorite hobbies. I enjoy both the technical challenge of optimizing prints and the creative aspects of designing practical solutions to everyday problems.
Woodworking
There’s something deeply satisfying about transforming raw lumber into functional pieces. Whether I’m crafting furniture, building custom shelving, or working on smaller decorative projects, woodworking provides a tangible complement to my digital work.
Automotive Tinkerer
I’m not afraid to pull an engine out of a car to see what makes it tick. The mechanical systems of vehicles present fascinating puzzles, and I enjoy the challenge of diagnosing issues and implementing repairs that others might consider beyond their capabilities.
Unusual Hobbies
My curiosity extends to the living world as well. I’ve dabbled in antkeeping, fascinated by the complex social structures and behaviors of these tiny creatures. I also maintain a reef tank, carefully balancing the delicate ecosystem that supports corals and marine life.
Beyond the Screen
While technology and making are significant parts of my identity, my foundation is in faith and family. These relationships provide balance and perspective, reminding me that all these activities should enhance human connection rather than replace it.
I’m also passionate about local history and volunteer with our local history club, helping to preserve and share the stories that shaped our community.
My best days involve both solving interesting technical challenges and being fully present with the people I love. This balance makes me both a better developer and a more present person. Technology should enhance our lives, not consume them, and I try to embody that philosophy in both how I use tech and how I create it.
Let’s Connect
Whether you’re interested in professional collaboration, technical consultation, or simply want to chat about shared interests in technology, DIY projects, or any of my various hobbies, I welcome the connection.
I’m available for development work, consultation services, or discussing your next project. Feel free to reach out at me@mikemcbrien.com to start the conversation.
Thank you for visiting my digital home—I hope you find something interesting, helpful, or inspiring during your stay!