20 Questions With a Project Manager: Alex Layton

This developer spotlight highlights one of our custom software team members and their journey at Counterpart.

1. Why did you choose to work in custom software?

I’ve always loved playing around with the latest technology growing up, and took pride in figuring out how I could take something “cool” and apply it in a useful way to my life. There are a lot of “cool” technologies out there, but the strides we have taken with software (specifically on the web) have been incredible and created whole new industries and ways to do things. It’s a fast-moving and exciting field, whether you are improving processes or creating something completely new.

2. Alma mater?

I graduated from Anderson University with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. Soar Ravens Soar!

3. Proudest work moment?

Anytime I hear “That would make my job so much easier,” “I didn’t know that was even possible,” or even a simple “thank you.” There is nothing better than hearing someone get truly excited about something you helped create.

4. If you could time-travel, would you go to the past or the future?

Probably the future… with our world changing so rapidly, I’d be very curious about what daily life starts to look like.

5. Favorite book?

At one point, I had read every Star Wars book written. That was a few years ago… I’m a little behind.

6. Favorite football team?

The Dallas Cowboys. America’s Team.

7. Favorite TV show?

Has got to be Chuck.

8. Apples or oranges?

I can’t resist a good Granny Smith.

9. Would you rather fight 1 horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?

I don’t know about “fight,” but if I could tame the duck, it’d be awesome to be able to fly.

10. Favorite blog?

Do people still blog?

11. Favorite movie?

Not to be cliché, but The Shawshank Redemption is hard to top for me.

12. Favorite joke?

2 muffins are in an oven. One muffin turns to the other and says, “It’s getting kind of hot in here.” The other muffin screams, “HELP! There’s a talking muffin in here!”

13. Celebrity crush?

Before I met my beautiful wife, I may have had a small crush on Yvonne Strahovski (see my favorite TV show above).

14. If you could have a talking animal companion, what would it be?

A penguin, hands down. And he would have an English accent.

15. Favorite food?

Mashed Potatoes.

16. Guilty pleasure?

Angsty Punk/Pop Rock.

17. Hobbies?

I enjoy playing guitar and pretending to play the piano (should have stuck with those lessons when I was 5). I also enjoy playing board games and playing on my Xbox.

18. Pet peeve?

Wobbly tables. Tables have a fairly simple job. They must do it well.

19. What is your current favorite album?

Well, since I already confessed my guilty pleasure, Mayday Parade’s A Lesson in Romantics turned 10 this year…It may or may not be on repeat in my car.

20. Ultimate travel destination?

I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland, and I am really excited that I’m going this year!