Erin McBroom

2.  What was the timeframe you worked at Microware?        

I worked for Microware from April 2000 to July of 2001 (was part of the big lay-off after the Radisys purchase went through)

3.  What was your job title(s) and what did you do at Microware?         

I was hired on as IT, but expressed an interest in moving to application support after about a year.  At the time I was laid off, I was splitting my time between IT and application support.

4.  What is your most interesting or vivid memory of Microware?    

Meeting the love of my life there (Nate Niceswanger).  :-)

5.  What were some of your favorite times at Microware?         

Pop runs to the soda fountain, playing softball with the rec league team, the State Fair "contests"...

6.  Have any experiences, skills, or habits that you picked up at Microware made an impact on your life?  Please share them with us.         

I learned more about embedded OSes than I ever care to again!  I made a lot of friends during my (short) time @ MWAR, and I'm still in touch with many of them today.

7.  What was your reason for leaving Microware?         

MWAR was bought out by Radisys - I was part of the first wave of layoffs after the deal was finalized.

8.  What have you been doing career-wise since Microware?         

Worked as a short-term contractor for Wells Fargo until landing a job as the second employee in a 2-person IT department for Electronic Engineering (the "Beeper People") in downtown Des Moines.  I've been with EECo for two years now.

9.  Tell us about your family: spouse, significant others, kids, pets, etc.         

I live with Nate (Niceswanger, a former MWAR employee himself), in our house in Clive.  We currently have nine Guinea pigs, one hamster, and a Betta fish (named Alpha - geek humor at its worst), and one stray cat.  Nate has been busy operating his own record store (Zzz Records - downtown Des Moines) for the last three and a half years, which is about how long we've lived together.

10.  Please attach up to three pictures of yourself, family, pets, and etc. to appear in the Reunion Highlights DVD.  We prefer .jpg and .gif images.          

Nah.  We're not terribly photogenic.  ;-)

11.  Do you ever see other former Microware employees and do you have their email addresses?         

Most of the former MWAR employees I still keep in touch with are already on this list.