About Me

Hey, I'm Luka! 👋

My journey to Salem, OR has been quite the adventure. Born in Reno, moved to and raised in Louisiana from 2001-2020, with a 4 year stint in Texas, I finally found my home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in 2024. And yes, I got married here too! My wife and I actually hiked to Abiqua Falls right after our ceremony, because nothing says "just married" like a gorgeous Oregon waterfall hike.

My path to programming wasn't traditional. I spent a decade in the restaurant industry, waiting tables, bartending, and managing, while also working in insurance, specializing in bank protection. When COVID hit in 2020 I found myself at a crossroads and spent some time finding myself. After some time figuring things out, I landed in equipment sales, where I discovered a real need for better tools to value and review machinery. That's when programming went from a longtime interest to a burning passion.

I first started teaching myself to code back in 2016, but life had other plans. Now, the spark has reignited stronger than ever, and everything just "clicks." I'm building the tools I wish I had, learning something new every day, and loving every minute of it.

When I'm not deep in code, you'll find me watching One Piece (I'm a huge fan, ask me about my collection!), playing video games, or exploring Oregon's incredible nature spots. Friday nights are for adventures and finding delicious food, Saturdays are for farmers markets, thrift shops, and hikes, and Sundays? Pure relaxation and catching up on shows (Yellowjackets, anyone?).