Timothy (Tim) S Podolske

I joined American Family in 1998 as a programmer/analyst. I spent my formative years in Madison, Wisconsin, earning a BA in Broadcast Journalism and History from the UW-Madison and an AA in Computer Information Systems from MATC, now Madison College. I have worked as a grill cook in a now-defunct steakhouse and a now-defunct brat restaurant, spun discs at a now-defunct polka radio station, and wrote the news for a now-defunct Madison television station. 

I enjoy spending time with my wife and two sons, especially traveling. We spent three weeks in August, 2009 discovering America's great west, visiting Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, Legoland California, the USS Midway, and St. Louis' Great Arch. Along the way, something magical happened as we grew closer as a family.

I discovered Scrum in 2008, while looking for a better way to lead projects. Wow! What a powerful framework. And what common sense. I was initially intrigued by its possibilities, especially the focus on people. I was frustrated with spending so much time creating the perfect project plan to please management, only to see the plan invalidated soon after. Not to mention the low morale of my team members. I have served as a full-time ScrumMaster since March, 2010 and co-teach a one-day internal introductory course on Agile/Scrum for my organization.

I look forward to the challenges to come, knowing there is a better way.

Listen, kid, we're all in it together. -- Harry Tuttle (Brazil)

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