- Name: Mikel Thompson
- Birthplace: Missoula, Montana
- Age: ha!
- High school: Shoreline High School
- Undergrad: SPU (BS Mathematics, BS Computer Science)
- Graduate: SPU (MAT - Master of Arts in Teaching)
- Favorite Music: Classic rock (60's & 70's) Led Zeppelin, ...
- Favorite TV show: Tie between Battlestar Galactica and Star Gate: Universe
- Favorite Movie:The Fifth Element
- Favorite Game: MMOs
Even though I was born in Montana, I'm a local boy, raised here in Shoreline, graduating from Shoreline H.S.
Right after high school graduation I joined the USMC and served 4 years, traveling throughout much of the far east. I was a 2531 (Field Radio Operator...glorified grunt) and a Sergeant (E-5).
I met and married my wonderful wife of 30 years, Juanita (who teaches at King's Elementary), and we both then attended Seattle Pacific University. I graduated with a B.S. in mathematics and a B.S. in computer science. Recently I finished my Masters there.
I spent the next five years as a software engineer in the telecommunications industry doing assembly language and C software design. While I enjoyed my work, I heard the sea calling and joined the Navy as an officer.
I served for four years as a SWO (Surface Warfare Officer) onboard the USS Callaghan (DDG-994) a Kidd class guided missile destroyer. I went around world (literally) and served a tour in the Persian Gulf.
After my one year old daughter started crying when she saw me (I was at sea almost 90% of the time) I decided the Navy wasn't for me. I returned to civilian life and resumed my career as a software engineer. I worked for 10 years at Applied Microsystems doing work on in-circuit emulators, and then for 5 years in the games industry at Valve Software.
