donovan@localhost:~$ cat about.md

About Me

> Current Focus: AI-Assisted Development

After years of automating infrastructure, I'm now automating the development process itself. Getting more done with less friction, without the hype.

The DevOps mindset applied to coding: I spent years automating server provisioning and deployments. AI-assisted development is the next logical step - automating the repetitive parts of writing code so we can focus on solving interesting problems.

I'm documenting what actually works, building workflows that integrate AI tools into real development processes, and helping other experienced developers do the same. Not theory - practical productivity gains.

> The Journey

Franco-New Zealander based in Grenoble, France. I build production systems that scale, having evolved from entrepreneur and company founder through developer, consultant, project manager, CTO, and tech lead roles.

My path has been unconventional. Started with audiovisual (BTS Audiovisuel - Image), then founded FLVWORKSHOP in 2006 - a company where I wore all the hats from development and SEO to video production and client prospecting.

Built systems for major French clients (government websites, large retailers), education technology platforms, Open Source learning management systems, and led teams creating high-availability infrastructure and microservices architectures.

Currently: Full-stack developer at Veepee (Paris, remote), specializing in GraphQL with Hasura, ReactJS/NodeJS development, and Kubernetes infrastructure.

> Technical Philosophy

Open Source advocate - contributor and user
Clean, maintainable code over clever hacks
Infrastructure as code and automation
DevOps mindset - build it, run it, monitor it
High-availability and scalability first

> Leadership Style

Hands-on technical leadership
Architecture and infrastructure focus
Led development teams (5-6 developers)
Entrepreneurial mindset from company ownership
Direct, honest communication

> What I Do Best

Backend & APIs

Expert in building scalable backend services with NestJS, Node.js, and Symfony. Specialized in GraphQL API development using Hasura.

TypeScript • NestJS • GraphQL • Hasura • PostgreSQL

DevOps & Infrastructure

Design and implementation of production infrastructure using Kubernetes, Docker, and modern CI/CD pipelines.

Kubernetes • Docker • GitLab CI • Ansible

Microservices Architecture

Architecting and building distributed systems with microservices patterns, event-driven architecture, and service mesh.

Docker • RabbitMQ • Traefik • Kong

Full Stack Development

Building complete applications from database to UI with React, Angular, and Vue.js. Backend-first mindset with frontend capabilities.

ReactJS • Angular • Vue.js • TypeScript

> Beyond Code

Passions

🪁 Kitesurf

Riding the wind and waves when I'm not coding

🏂 Snowboard

Grenoble's proximity to the Alps is a blessing

🧗 Rock Climbing

Problem-solving, but vertical

🎵 Music

Audiovisual background still influences me

Location

Based in Grenoble, France - the perfect blend of tech innovation and outdoor adventure.

Franco-New Zealander (dual citizenship), bilingual English/French, which has opened doors to work with international teams and clients.

Currently working remotely for Veepee in Paris, but deeply rooted in the Grenoble tech scene.

> Education

2007 - 2008
Licence Professionnelle
Métiers de l'Internet et des applications multimédia
IUT-2, Grenoble
2002 - 2004
BTS Audiovisuel
Option Image
Lycée Léonard de Vinci, Villefontaine
2001 - 2002
BAC STL
Option Physique / Génie Optique
Lycée Andrée Argouges, Grenoble