Instructor:Ā Davin Thomas
Position and Location
Mark Luttrell Transition Center Instructor
How long have you worked for Persevere?
2+ years
Where are you originally from?
New Orleans, LA
What do you love most about your job?
I love being able to grow as a developer by always exploring newer and different technologies. I also love interacting with and helping others who have been written of by society (at large) acquire a skill that is life-changing.
Why Persevere?
Persevere is the only company that was able to clearly reveal to me the 2 things (mentioned above) about which I am passionate – 1) programming/coding (and all things IT) and 2) interacting with people.
Persevere is the only company that was able to clearly reveal to me the 2 things (mentioned above) about which I am passionate – 1) programming/coding (and all things IT) and 2) interacting with people.
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What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A professional athlete (1st – Football player; 2nd – Baseball player; 3rd – Basketball player.
A professional athlete (1st – Football player; 2nd – Baseball player; 3rd – Basketball player.
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Looking back on your life, who or what makes you instantly light up?
Family (my kids, my wife, my mom, my sister, my nieces and nephews, etc.).
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What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Don’t sweat the small stuff!!
Don’t sweat the small stuff!!
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Describe your perfect day.
My perfect day is a day that I spend with my wife exploring somewhere outdoors that is new to us, or her and I doing just about anything together.
My perfect day is a day that I spend with my wife exploring somewhere outdoors that is new to us, or her and I doing just about anything together.
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What are you most proud of about yourself?
I am most proud of my sons. I believe that your kids reflect what kind of parent you are/were, and my sons are always getting complimented on how thoughtful, respectful, and selfless they are.
I am most proud of my sons. I believe that your kids reflect what kind of parent you are/were, and my sons are always getting complimented on how thoughtful, respectful, and selfless they are.
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Favorite Movie or TV show?
The Matrix Trilogy is my favorite movie (of all time, my time), I think.
The Matrix Trilogy is my favorite movie (of all time, my time), I think.
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Do you have any pets?
I had 2 American boxers, but old age and cancer claimed the life of my male, Buddie, just over a month ago. Now, we only have Belle and she is as her name suggests, a Belle!! She is polite and nice on the surface, but a B_ _ _ h underneath, when she has to be.
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What is something about you that would surprise us?
I like to cook and I love to bake. I especially love baking pies. I haven’t made any cookies, breads, or muffins yet; only cakes and pies. I can whip up and make a dozen of New Orleans signature candy, Pralines, in less than 5 minutes.
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What is a project you are especially proud of?
So, my favorite project is always the individuals with whom I work, honestly. I know that I have a transferrable skill set as I have had a few offers to level up since being employed with Persevere. But I have rediscovered a sincere passion to teach, what appears to be a difficult concept to others, and witness them take ownership of it and run with it.Ā Other perks aside, I get the most fulfillment when an individual (or 2 or more) has an “Aha” moment. I have many projects that I have worked on (pro bono, mostly), and I have acted as an unpaid consult for other developers (friends and past coworkers) working on projects. But, helping others who know as much as I do, or more, is less gratifying for me than helping those who feel less empowered over the ideas/concepts that they work with.
