Nice to meet you - Again.

As I relaunch this blog and rebuild my brewery, it’s time for a quick reintroduction. My life and career have been defined by a problem-solving mindset, shaped through a background in design and a passion for systems thinking. My degree is in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, with a focus on principles from architecture and visual design. I thrive at the intersection of creativity, technical challenge, and continuous improvement.

Early in my career, I saw firsthand how technology disrupts established systems—such as the shift from analog to digital printing. Each leap forward required not just technical adaptation but a change in how people approached their craft. The core lesson: foundational principles endure, even as the tools change.

This mindset took me from graphic design and printing into tech, including a transformative stint at AMD during the races to the first 1 GHz CPU, 64-bit computing, and multi-core CPU/GPU technology. I thrived among engineers, managing a gap between software, hardware, and marketing. My approach: listen deeply, identify core problems, and design solutions that worked for everyone—whether launching industry standards or coordinating complex projects.

Later, at THX, I became known as the “Crash Test Executive”—jumping into whatever role needed filling as the company struggled with brand identity and core revenue. It was challenging, rewarding, but ultimately exhausting. Homebrewing became my escape, especially as leadership churn and strategic missteps led to my position being eliminated.

As brewing became a bigger part of my life, I dove into competitions, BJCP certification, and organizing events. My writing grew more in-depth—and, at times, more controversial—as I chased complexity. But the absolute joy came from the friendships and mentorships developed along the way, and from the genuine connection of sharing a great beer or mead. Those moments outshine any NHC medal or Mazer Cup.

After burning out at THX, I tried (and failed) to re-enter tech, dabbled in insurance, and ran a commercial meadery through a tumultuous period. With COVID, supply chain disasters, and hard pivots, I leaned into scientific methods and operational focus—leading to rapid growth, but also costly mistakes. Ultimately, I stepped down, but stayed connected with the founders as friends.

A return to high tech brought me back to my roots—blending hardware, software, and education. I shaped products, wrote requirements, and managed launches, but remote work and cost cuts ended the role. My wife’s new teaching job brought us to Kansas, where I now manage IT for two rural school districts. It’s not glamorous, but the deep dives into educational tech and the stability suit us—and we’ve built a sustainable, simpler life, but we're still dealing with the cultural shift.

Now, with space to experiment and modern tools like AI at hand, I’m excited to transform Accidentalis into both a personal lab and an educational hub. My goal: to inspire, share insights, and foster community around the science and art of fermentation.

My approach is lab-first: follow the scientific method, change one variable at a time, focus on repeatability and measurement, and keep everything clean and precise. Creativity is essential, but planning and scrutiny come first.

I’m not an expert or a guru—just someone passionate about learning, experimenting, and sharing what works (and what doesn’t). My advice is grounded in experience and curiosity, not dogma. If you find that helpful, great. If not, that’s fine too.

But don’t get me started on Texas Chili or regional Italian home cooking —I definitely have opinions there! I also have a passion for very sharp chef knives, quality pencils, and fountain pens. The noggin is cluttered and eclectic.

Hi, my name is Matt. How are you? Can I get you a beer?