My name is John Schmitt and I live with my wife Mary in Beaverton, OR. We are both products of a Catholic grade and high school education which may explain our straight and narrow approach to life.
I’ve been involved with computer systems since I graduated from the very first class of the Control Data Institute in 1966. Over the years I’ve repaired early CDC computers, operated old RCA equipment in the Army, programmed land management software in graduate school, built database systems for the EPA and was an application and marketing engineer for Intel.
My career then took a turn as I left Intel to become managing editor of The Windows Shoppers Guide, a directory of Windows applications. That led to starting OakTree Digital in my house and growing it to one of the most respected interactive agencies in Portland.
In 2013 I sold the agency part of the company, renamed the rest to Five Cedars Group, and kept my favorite project: accessible ballot generation. Then, I spent the next nine years supporting the accessible ballot needs of all 36 counties in Oregon and the four counties in Hawaii. Turns out Oregon and our Alternate Format Ballots were the first accessible ballots successfully used by voters with disabilities and military and overseas voters. My little company of one (me) was competing nationally, including obtaining certification in California.
In the summer of 2022, we sold the company to Enhanced Voting, LLC, a Florida based accessible ballot company. I will remain as a consultant for them as long as needed.
We’ve had quite an adventure raising three delightful young adults, our pride and joy. Along the way I started playing competitive tennis, which I played for years. Recently, with a sore shoulder helping to make the decision, I’ve switched to Pickle Ball.
I plan to continue this blog as a way to reflect on the people and adventures I’ve been fortunate to experience.
Random Thoughts Captured 