Kate Schneider

CTO, Webmaster

Kate Schneider is a web applications engineer with more than 16 years experience in the high-tech industry. She began her career in 1995 at a small computer magazine in Emeryville, California, as an assistant to the Webmaster and aspiring IT technician. Since then and through a wide variety of both traditional and progressive, independent places of work she has honed her skills as a web-centric data wrangler and user interface developer, including running a small web development outfit in the cold, northerly climes of Alaska. With a passion for data and databases as the center of her world, Kate brings a high standard of work and accomplishment with her to any project and an extensive list of experience points and knowledge to deliver proven results.

Establishing ZDCA with Zack Darling in 2009 after having worked closely with him under a completely different roof has been the highlight of Kate’s career.  There is nothing quite as exhilarating and all-consuming as running one’s own business and all of the myriad, shifting paths of her experience and education have led her to this point with what has turned out to be remarkably rewarding.  Because of the extensive and seemingly infinite network of positive and energetic individuals and businesses that surrounds Zack, ZDCA is not only possible but an entrepreneur’s dream come true.

It’s a deeply moving thought to look ahead and see clearly where one wants to be, yet utterly surreal to be engaged in that very spot looking ahead at how to improve it and thrive.

There’s a lot that goes into being the resident technologist at any company and keeping up with what’s new is almost a full-time job in and of itself.  There’s the desire to specialize (actually, it becomes more than just a desire, but a necessity) as well as be knowledgeable about everything nerdy and geeky in the world of computing.  Although I can’t boast the latter point here (I am always learning new things), I can at least be as up-to-date with the solutions that we provide to our clients as the industry of Information is.  This is what I strive to achieve every day at ZDCA.

I’m also completely in love with art in all forms.  As an advocate of art, I have surrounded myself with it and artists with every step of my life and although I cannot draw or paint to save my life, I have a pretty good eye when it comes to photography and a naturally affinity for the written word.  I’ve been an amateur photographer since my dad put his completely analog Nikon Nikkormat in my hands when I was a freshman in high school.  I took to it instantly, signed up for the photography class every year throughout high school and have never looked back.  I prefer to develop my own b&w prints in the dwindling rent-able darkrooms around the area and have even begun to play in the field of color.  One of these days I’ll work up the nerve (or the time?!) to show my work locally.  Some day…