1. What is your role at CM?
I am a Front End Developer on the Infiniti account in our Toronto office. On a day-to-day basis we are either expanding the current system to accommodate all the nifty things the clients want or fixing bugs (doh).
2. What drives you? What are you inspired by?
I love programming. It’s as simple as that. Being able to tweak a tiny little line of code and instantaneously see the results that it brings to the screen is inebriating. Programming is a delicate mix of science and art, requiring perseverance and creative thinking to be successful. Being a programmer is a constant strive to optimize, refactor and make the solution perfect. The thirst for perfection drives me.
3. What are your passions/interests outside the workplace?
My interests outside of work all mostly have something to do with music. I play in bands, play solo, produce music, whatever I have time for. Other than that, I just love spending time with my cats, my family, my girlfriend and my friends. You know.. the usual!
4. What is the greatest thing about CM culture?
People talk to each other. At a lot of other places people will bang their heads against the wall trying to find a solution to a problem, instead of simply walking over to their coworkers and asking their opinion. At CM, no one is afraid to ask a question and everyone is willing to lend a hand.
5. What was your greatest accomplishment of the past year (personal or professional)?
Last year was the first time I went ahead and organized my own concert instead of relying on promoters or battle of the bands. It was an experience full of ups and downs–and most of all stress–but in the end it was absolutely worth it.
6. Any interesting Dmitri-isms?
This one is more of an anti-talent. I am the worst at impersonating accents or famous people. Pretty much every accent I attempt sounds Russian. Oh well, that’s a great accent.
7. Who do you most admire?
Tough one… I would have to say my great-grandmother, Sofia. She has been my inspiration throughout life. Sofia is 92 and she is the most active and awesome person I have ever met in my life. She goes to the gym 3 times a week (that’s about 2-3 times more than me). She raised 5 children (out of which only 2 were her own). She was sent to Siberia at age 14 (very long story, but ask me about it sometime!). The list keeps going on and on. I just hope I am as awesome as her when I am 92.
8. How long have you been with CM?
I joined CM in May 2010, making it a year and a bit.
9. What is your favorite CM memory?
Winning an iPad! Let me explain. I never win things, and I really do mean never. Whether it’s a friendly bet or the lottery, I am just not a born winner. So I am standing at the CM Summer Event last year as a name is getting pulled thinking, “Lucky bastard whoever wins this one…” when suddenly they called my name! It was a “Holy ****” moment. Made my year, definitely. Thanks CM!
10. The centering point for the CM brand is extraordinary experiences. What does extraordinary mean to you?
Extraordinary is that feeling that a child gets on their birthday. Best feeling ever.
