Husein Sharaf’s passion for all things technical began early in life, growing up in a modest home in Fairfax, Virginia. By age seven, he was deftly dismantling—and rebuilding—everything from lawn mowers to vacuum cleaners. By middle school, he was proficient at building websites and coding; and as a young teenager, he worked part time repairing computers. At age 18, Husein shattered all expectations by landing his corporate first job at Booz Allen Hamilton—without a college degree. This would be the first of many experiences working as a federal contractor for this astute, self-taught young professional, followed by several years working as an independent consultant to both commercial and federal clients including, most notably, the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Throughout his whirlwind career as a systems engineer, Husein has always brought along a true passion of finding ways to harness the power of technology to make life better. So it is certainly no surprise that when most people first heard of cloud computing and dismissed it as a Silicon Valley indulgence, Husein looked beyond the contention to see how cloud technology could free businesses from unwieldy infrastructure, spur innovation, and even change business models. Now as fearless head-nerd and President/CTO of his own Microsoft Gold Partner firm Cloudforce in National Harbor, Maryland, Husein leads his eclectic team of engineers in the development of complex cloud solutions to support mission-critical systems for dozens of programs across industries and government.

In addition to all things Microsoft cloud, Husein is also passionate about giving back to his Prince George’s County community and believes it is the responsibility of every business to help develop the types of communities its members and customers want to live and do business in. Husein currently serves on the board of directors of STEMship, a local non-profit aimed at creating STEM learning opportunities for under-privileged youth. Husein is also head of the Technology and Innovation Committee for the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce. As someone who acknowledges his own opportunities to make positive impacts doing what he loves, Husein is very proactive about supporting the development of other young IT aficionados—with a special soft spot for those who love to tinker.

Other fun facts about Husein:

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce?

• When I’m not working, my favorite thing to do is travel, even if only for a few days at a time. I’ve been inspired by shows like Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown” to travel to places off the beaten path, to experience different cultures, and to broaden my world view through food, music and art.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

• As a child I wanted to be a vehicle designer, or to have some involvement in motor racing.

What is your favorite dessert?

• Crème brûlée – all day! I even learned to make it (the only thing I know how to bake) because I love it so much.

What would be the most surprising scientific discovery imaginable?

• Teleportation – I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of moving people or objects in non- traditional ways. Perhaps it’s my obsession with travel which drives my somewhat irrational desire to see this come to fruition!

What are you reading at this moment?

• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by James C. Collins.

Heba started her career as a financial controller working as a federal contractor in the engineering services sector. Demonstrating her keen proficiency in effective program oversight and execution, she quickly moved up into more senior roles, ultimately landing as the Deputy Project Manager on a highly visible special project with the U.S. Army.  In 2016, Heba brought her nine years of operational oversight expertise and business savvy to Cloudforce as Director of Operations.

In addition to her extensive management background, Heba brought along her breadth of knowledge in data aggregation and analysis. She excels at optimizing methods and procedures to achieve process improvements and maximize efficiencies.

Outside of work, Heba enjoys the local arts, a rocking music playlist, outdoor adventures, and getting her handywoman fix in on DIY projects.

Other fun facts about Heba:

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

• Being inspired by some amazing teachers myself, I wanted to be an elementary school teacher, and initially going into college thought that was what I was going to pursue. With math being my strong suit, I had a change of heart and pivoted to a finance major mid-way. Although my path ultimately took me in another direction, I’ve found other avenues to teach and mentor in my career as well as opportunities to support youth programs through volunteerism.

What is your favorite album? 

• This is a hard one because enjoying music is my favorite pastime and there are so many amazing albums on my top picks list.  Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here is the one I always start with on my road adventures (another favorite pastime of mine).  My favorite playlist is a mix of classic and blues rock including Led Zeppelin, Freddie King, John Mayall and the Bluebreakers, and Fleetwood Mac, but I also enjoy all genres and especially appreciate the live music scene.

What season would you be? 

• Summer all the way! I love to be outdoors, especially near water or by the mountains. Exploring, hiking, picnicking, or just laying outside enjoying the sounds of summer brings me the most joy.

Jesse Kellner brings a unique breadth and depth of experience to his role as Cloudforce Director of Programs. While serving both our illustrious team of cloud ninjas and valued client portfolio, he leverages over 20 years of professional experience in leadership, project management, and business development.

Jesse received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Washington Bible College before serving in vocational ministry at both established and emerging communities of faith. Thereafter, Jesse transitioned into the sales and business development space, culminating in over 10 years as a commercial real estate broker in the Annapolis, MD market. As he began to explore the next chapter of his career, Jesse turned to the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business where he earned a Master of Business Administration degree in 2016. Jesse’s next career move would be a serendipitous combination of his passion for networking with his unbridled enthusiasm to promote Smith students when he became Smith’s Assistant Director, Employer and Business Development. It was in this role serving as a natural evangelist for Smith students that Jesse first crossed paths with his soon-to-be colleagues of  Cloudforce—who were then actively recruiting some of Smith’s top talent!

Now as Cloudforce Director of Programs, Jesse spends his time deploying tech ninjas to delight customers and harness the Microsoft cloud. Jesse is convinced that happy technologists deliver top technical solutions leading to delighted customers, a formula to which he remains committed as Cloudforce grows and scales.

Jesse, his beloved wife, and two children are in the process of developing their little log cabin home on almost 50 acres just south of Annapolis into a joyous family homestead and hospitality hub. He is an avid sports enthusiast, both participating in area old man leagues and stubbornly supporting his Washington Football Team, Orioles, Wizards, and Capitals.

Other fun facts about Jesse:

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce?

• Our family and friends spend a lot (!) of time outside at our property. My son recently discovered shark teeth within the little stream in our woods, even uncovering some impressive Megalodon specimens (an extinct species of prehistoric shark, the largest sharks ever). We love to light the bonfire, partake in some great food and drink, let the kids run amuck, and just be together.

If you had to delete all but 3 apps from your phone, which 3 would you keep?

• Microsoft Teams (of course!), Photos, and Waze.

What is your favorite thing to eat?

• Pepperoni Pizza (with a shoutout to Di Meo’s Pizzeria, Crofton, MD). Is this even a question?

Have you ever completed anything on your bucket list?

• Baltimore Marathon, 2009. And, yes, I beat Oprah.

What are you reading at this moment?

• Gospel of Luke

Brad is a self-driven business development leader with over 23 years of experience in sales, project management, operations management, and marketing for multimillion-dollar companies servicing the private and public sectors. Before joining Cloudforce in 2020 as Head of Partnerships, Brad was a Regional Sales Manager for GEP, where he was responsible for selling their SaaS solution to federal agencies. Brad spent four years of his career as a Sr. Solutions Consultant and Implementation Consultant for SDL Government and Deltek, where he specialized in supporting the sales teams with customized product demonstrations and implementing the solutions at customer sites all around the world.

Brad loves going to watch his beloved Washington Capitals and enjoys playing competitive sports, especially softball, basketball, and golf (okay, let’s be real, most of his time is spent looking for his lost golf balls). Brad resides in Fairfax, VA with his wife Caroline, son Josh, daughter Brinley, and ferocious chihuahua Sam.  Brad is passionate about giving back and supports several charity organizations with fundraising efforts and hosting charity golf tournaments. Brad holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

Other fun facts about Brad:

If you could be guaranteed one thing in life (besides money), what would it be and why?

• Good health for my family

Have you ever completed anything on your bucket list?

• Played golf at Torrey Pines

What is one quote that stands out to you?

• “Everything happens for a reason.”

What are you reading at this moment?

• The Go-giver by Bob Burg

What is your favorite tradition or holiday?

• Annual pie party… On Thanksgiving evening, we have a get-together with pie, cigars, craft beer, and wine

Michael’s 20 years of experience in the Information Technology field includes helping many government, non-profit, and commercial customers streamline their IT operations while reducing costs and modernizing infrastructure. Early on, he acquired a knack for and curiosity about all things related to technology and enhancing productivity using modern tools. At Cloudforce, Michael has transitioned his career from a technical role to one where he now manages multiple customer projects as Cloudforce Technical Program Manager.

Of all the places he’s travelled in his career, Michael finds Cloudforce to be truly a unique place to work where employee welfare, professional development, and simply having fun are of equal importance to bottom line concerns. Since joining Cloudforce, Michael has earned his Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification and is currently working on his PMP.

In his spare time, Michael enjoys swimming, biking, the beach, and spending time with family and friends.

Other fun facts about Michael:

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce?

• Spend time with family and friends/ always learning something new

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

• Clinical Psychologist

If you could be guaranteed one thing in life (besides money), what would it be and why?

• Time and energy—that’s all we have in this life. (And I know, that’s two things, but one is worthless without the other.)

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?

• To whom?  Nobody asks… nobody’s listening.

What are you reading at this moment?

• Richard Dawkins’ The Selfish Gene

Daniel Ruberg has close to ten years of Network Administration and Engineering experience.  He finished his undergraduate degree in Computer Management Information Systems from Liberty University in 2008. After graduation, he returned to Liberty University and obtained his master’s degree in Youth Ministry, then held several positions in the D.C. area that have helped shape his career path to this point.

Since joining Cloudforce in 2018, Daniel has shown exponential growth in the Azure cloud and has been dubbed our very own #cloudninja. As Cloudforce Senior Cloud Architect, Daniel has deployed, managed, and migrated several production workloads to Microsoft Azure utilizing the latest technologies that Microsoft cloud offers.

Daniel holds several industry-leading certifications, including: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP); AZ-300/301: Microsoft® Azure Architect Technologies; AZ-500: Microsoft® Azure Security Technologies; and Microsoft® Certified Solutions Expert: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure.

Other fun facts about Daniel:

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce? 

• Faith, family, and sports. My family is big into sports and the outdoors, so we are often outside doing something together on the weekends.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

• I wanted to be in the NHL. I grew up playing hockey and it was always a pipe dream for me. Hopefully, I can live vicariously through my son when he gets older!

What is your favorite dessert? 

• Turkey Hill Choco Mint Chip ice cream… the best ice cream, hands down!

Do you have any hidden talents? 

• It is not really a talent, but I can curl my pinky toe over my ring toe without using my hands. When I show people, they are generally grossed out instead of impressed.

What is your favorite item you’ve bought this year? 

• This past year we got a Peloton. It has been an amazing addition to our home with two little kids and allows us to get a workout in without leaving the house. Hit me up if you want to cycle. My Peloton username is cl0udninja.

Shawn has spent the last nine years in IT and is the Cloud Services Manager at Cloudforce. Ever since he was a kid messing around with the old 8088s, Shawn knew there was a future in technology. From the cacophony of a dial-up connection; to eagerly anticipating that “You’ve got mail;” to administering accounts through MS365; DOS to Windows 95 to Windows 10; Server 2003 to Server 2019; HTML and FrontPage to Word Press and Wix; and floppy disks to Cloud storage, Shawn has touched, seen, and used a ton of hardware and software over the years… and has barely scratched the surface.

Shawn is married with two boys, Bennett and Silas. When not working or being a parent (because that happens), he enjoys being outside, grilling, playing cornhole, music, the woods, walking, gaming, watching sports (Hockey, College Basketball and Football), writing, cooking, and exploring new breweries and wineries. He is a natural wit and enjoys deeper conversations and being creative.

Other fun facts about Shawn:

What fictional family would you be a member of?

• Corleone

If you could be guaranteed one thing in life (besides money), what would it be and why?

• Health/Safety of my kids

What season would you be?

• Fall

Do you have a favorite quote?

• “Beware the man who builds monuments to himself.”

What is your favorite tradition or holiday?

• Favorite Holiday is Halloween.  Favorite tradition is driving around looking at the Christmas lights on Christmas Eve

Rhoddy’s love of computer technology was first revealed around age 7-8, when he deftly debugged code on a TSR-80 Color Code II from Radio Shack “because there were errors in the printed code book.” In his teens, Rhoddy began building and tweaking computers to eke out every bit of performance for gaming. It was his passion for cinema, however, that directed him into his first career in the field of media production. After spending 11 years in the industry and completing his formal education, however, Roddy saw the writing on the wall in terms of limited future growth in the industry and decided it was time for a career change. Given his strong interest in computers and technology and realizing numerous career growth options in the technology sector, he went back to school and earned a Master of Science in Information Systems degree from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in 2017.

Rhoddy started learning Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) in 2016 out of necessity because he worked in an SCCM environment where no one knew how to use it! After learning the basics of SCCM he was hooked. He quickly realized the potential of SCCM as an indispensable tool for medium to large organizations that allowed for remote management of endpoints while freeing up staff time to pursue higher-value projects. Now as the Infrastructure Manager, Roddy is expanding his endpoint management expertise to include internet and cloud managed devices for today’s “work-from-anywhere” workforce.

Other fun facts about Rhoddy:

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce?

• Spend time with my wife and daughter, go hiking/camping, exercise, play video games, watch anime, and drink craft beer.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

• I wanted to be a comedian because I loved making people laugh and I idolized the 90s cast of SNL (Farley, Rock, Myers, Carvey, Sweeny, Meadows, Nealon, etc.)

Do you have any hidden talents?

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muy Thai kickboxing. I have practiced martial arts for most of my adult life. I also homebrew beer.

What is your favorite item you’ve bought this year?

• PlayStation 5

Before joining Cloudforce, Yayoi served in the healthcare industry for eight years and all throughout college. When Yayoi was looking for a chance to grow and challenge herself outside of her comfort zone, she saw an opportunity at Cloudforce… and the rest is history. Yayoi first joined the team as Cloudforce Office Manager, doing all things administrative, mixed in with a little social media marketing and even a little human resources. Now, in her new role as Workforce Specialist—AKA Gatekeeper of Cloudforce—Yayoi is responsible for recruiting geniuses and unique individuals to join the Force.

A native Washingtonian, Yayoi is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park—Go Terps! She is passionate about recruiting and is currently working on obtaining the SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management – Certified Professional) certification in 2023. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, and binging episodes of Beat Bobby Flay!

Other fun facts about Yayoi:

What fictional world or place would you like to visit?

• HOGWARTS! Hands down. I’m a HUGE Harry Potter nerd. (Go! Go! Gryffindor!)

Do you speak any other languages?

• I’m part Japanese and speak Japanese (semi) fluently. Reading and writing isn’t as good as it used to be (sorry, mom!).

What is your favorite album?

• My favorite album of all time is probably Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite, but Snoh Aalegra’s Ugh… Those Feels Again is a close second.

What is your favorite thing to eat?

• PASTA. I call myself “Carby Barbie” because if I could eat it every day, I would. Doesn’t matter what kind of sauce, what shape of noodle, what toppings… I love it ALL!

What are you reading at this moment?

I’m actually reading two books! One is by Thich Nhat Hanh: The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, and the second is Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci.

Andrew grew up on a steady diet of PBS television, history documentaries, and science fiction books from an early age and has remained a passionate consumer of knowledge ever since. His love of computer gaming and tinkering began in adolescence, and he has remained an avid DIY enthusiast, creating his own home information systems, beer, and occasionally furniture. In college, Andrew’s studies concentrated on philosophy of mind, and nothing satisfies him more than aggressively chasing the boundaries of his understanding on any and every subject.

There is something, however, that comes close: sharing knowledge with others, and seeing it have a positive impact. Starting in 2012 with basic desktop support and working his way into running systems all over the enterprise IT sphere, Andrew has remained inspired by the way technology empowers us through collaboration and communication, and how this can enhance even the most mundane aspects of our personal and work lives. These twin passions (learning and sharing knowledge) have informed the two principles that have guided his journey as a successful technology professional:

• You do not know how it works until you break it.
• It is as vital to understand non-technical needs as it is to understand technical ones.

A Senior Systems Engineer at Cloudforce since 2019, Andrew focuses first and foremost on understanding what work users need to do and how they do it. With that perspective, he has delivered technical solutions to Cloudforce clients that have brought them successfully into the cloud while keeping their data secure; minimizing impact to their critical business processes; and enhancing their ability to pursue both strategic goals and realize tangible enhancements to daily work. Knowing that the pursuit of knowledge and expertise can never slow down, Andrew has become Microsoft 365 Certified at the associate level in both Azure and Teams administration since joining Cloudforce.

Other fun facts about Andrew:

What fictional family would you be a member of?

• The Crawleys, of Downton Abbey. I can feel the English countryside calling…

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

• A mad scientist

If you could be guaranteed one thing in life (besides money), what would it be and why?

• Unlimited time and travel to share conversations with family, friends, and strangers alike.

Do you have any hidden talents?

• I have a pretty good ear for many accents.

What is one quote that stands out to you?

• The endeavor to understand is the first and only basis of virtue.” -Baruch Spinoza

What is your favorite tradition or holiday?

• Every year my wife and I celebrate our wedding anniversary on New Year’s Eve by holding a black-tie-encouraged party with cocktails, champagne, and as many friends as we can stuff into the house.

Vu Hoang has always been amazed by technology inventions especially anything electronic. At a younger age, Vu built personal computers for himself and friends when computers were still a relatively new thing in his neighborhood in Vietnam. Throughout his lifetime, Vu has moved to different cities and countries to study and live, making him a highly adaptable, self-taught quick learner—or as we like to think of him: a super computing human wonder.

As Cloudforce Cloud Solutions Engineer Vu helps a wide variety of clients, from small startups to fortune 500 companies with hundreds of workers, to navigate IT challenges, improve system performance, and upgrade their security posture. Vu holds several Azure certifications and is a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). Outside of his daily Cloudforce duties, Vu enjoys hiking and loves to design and build wood furniture.

Other fun facts about Vu:

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

• Robot builder

If you could be guaranteed one thing in life (besides money), what would it be and why?

• Youth and health if possible

What is your favorite tradition or holiday?

• Lunar New Year because it is when everyone in the family gathers and spends time together

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?

• If you are not challenge yourselves when you are young, life will challenge you when you are old

What is your favorite thing to eat?

• Asian Cuisine Soups

A present-day renaissance man and self-professed nerd, Chris transitioned into IT in 2016 after spending nearly a decade in the health and fitness industry. Once his lifetime hobby, computers have now become Chris’ professional passion. Starting in the trenches of an IT support call center, Chris progressed from Help Desk Technician to Managed Services Consultant (NOC) and is now a Cloud Solutions Engineer at Cloudforce. He owes his success to never being afraid of asking questions, being humble, and learning in the fires of, “Well… let’s see if anything breaks” situations.

Other fun facts about Chris:

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

• A marine biologist.

If you could be guaranteed one thing in life (besides money), what would it be and why?

• Impervious health – you can only live life up to the level of your wellness.

What is your favorite album?

• My musical tastes often shift, so it is hard for me to say that I have a singular favorite album.  An album that blew me away in the last few years, though: Veil of Imagination by Wilderun. **Edit: upon further reflection, Age of Winters by The Sword would definitely be in contention for albums most spun.

What is one quote that stands out to you?

• “Memento Mori.”- The Stoics

What is your favorite tradition or holiday?

• Halloween

In high school, Leslie wanted to be a doctor – until she fainted typing her own blood in Advanced Bio class. Lucky for us, Leslie also loved to write; and the rest is … herstory.

Before joining Cloudforce as Content Specialist, Leslie worked in corporate and ad agency settings, and as owner of her own freelance writer/producer business. Throughout her career, she’s written spots and informercials for the likes of Isaac Hayes, Larry King, Brian McKnight, and Tom Bodett, to name a few. Her passion for inspiring, informing and entertaining also led to several fundraising and awareness video efforts for the Northern Virginia Urban League and Northern Virginia Family Services. As a proud Syracuse University graduate, she also served as Alumni President for the Washington metropolitan area, where she helped establish a scholarship program for area students attending S.U.

Fun facts about Leslie:

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce?

• I love to garden, cook, create mantlescapes, and hang out with my Westie pup, Billie. I also enjoy long weekend escapes to the Delaware shore. The Long Island girl is still in me!

What did you want to be growing up?

• A ballet dancer … until I was told I was too short.

Do you have a quote you live by?

• “Let bakers bake.” It’s my self-penned mantra honed from years of film production where many professionals would convene to execute their respective expertise in the most inspiring ways. Production shoots taught me the virtue of respectfully staying in your lane and letting others do what they do best. It’s the magical personification of mutual respect. It’s like a human-action symphony. And worth the restraint.

What book are you reading now?

• A human atlas of the world, showing the parallel evolution of cultures, worldwide. It’s the ultimate multi-tasker tome!

What are three words to describe you?

• Creative, tenacious and sentimental

For Jen, it’s about relationships. In an age of instant access where you can get what you want with the click of a button, taking the time to build authentic connections with people is more important than ever. As a Project Manager for Cloudforce, Jen prioritizes the people behind the names on the screen by treating every client interaction as an opportunity to build trust and impact businesses for the better.

Jen has had the pleasure of working as a client liaison and project coordinator in residential construction and investment property projects. Most recently, Jen oversaw the implementation and management of educational software applications for Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

Jen lives in Gambrills, Maryland with her husband Wes, her kids Ava and Judah, and her cats, Max and Benjamin.

Other fun facts about Jen:

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

• A singer. I come from a family of songwriters and musicians. It’s in the blood. I even recorded a demo in my twenties. My sister likes to torture me by playing it on full blast once or twice a year.

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce?

• I love being with my husband and kids, drinking espresso, and snuggling with my cats. I also love having brunch with my friends, browsing bookstores, or doing some fun outside (in cool weather. I am not a warm-weather gal).

What is your favorite tradition or holiday?

• Thanksgiving is my favorite. It signals a shift into the cozier time of year and sets the tone for the holidays. Plus, I love to host a big group and cook tons of great food for everyone to enjoy.

What is one quote that stands out to you?

• “Let me fall if I must fall. The one I will become will catch me.” (Baal Shem Tov). This is a favorite because of its simplistic assurance that we have the capacity to show up for ourselves with complete acceptance, at our highest highs and lowest lows.

Have you ever completed anything on your bucket list?

• I have a few travel destinations on my “must see” list. I was able to visit one of them – Tanzania – a few years ago. It was the most incredible experience with beautiful people, amazing food, and landscapes that changed the way I see the world.

Omid channeled his interest and proficiency in numbers, data, and analytics to earn a degree in Finance from George Mason University. After graduation, Omid went on to work as a Junior Analyst at Freddie Mac. Despite his love of numbers, the field of technology had always sparked Omar’s interest, so he began to expand his knowledge by obtaining certifications. Prior to joining Cloudforce, Omid was a Network Engineer in the Network Operation Center at Verisign where he was able to expedite his training and skill set. Omid joined Cloudforce as Systems Administrator in 2020. He currently lives in Northern Virginia.

Other fun facts about Omid:

What are three words that describe you?

• Determined, reliable and honest.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

• I’ve always been a car enthusiast and as a child wanted to be a race car driver.

What is your favorite food?

• You can’t ever go wrong with pizza and pasta.

What is your favorite tradition/holiday?

• Persian New Year has always been a fun tradition.

What do you do when you are not at Cloudforce?

• In my free time I enjoy cooking, spending time with my family, and playing poker tournaments.

Elliot’s innate curiosity with technology followed him throughout his childhood, but it took a high school Java programming course to ignite his interest into full-blown fascination. The experience of this one class proved pivotal in shaping Elliots education and career path. Elliot went on to pursue his passion with technology and graduate from Towson University with a degree in Computer Science.  Shortly after graduating, he landed an opportunity at Cloudforce as an intern where he was introduced to cloud computing and hasn’t looked back since.  Currently, as Service Desk Associate, he enjoys putting his problem-solving skills to the test and advancing his knowledge with industry-recognized certifications.

Other fun facts about Elliot:

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce? 

• Stay- active!  I love to run and play tennis.  I’ve run three half marathons and numerous 5k’s.  I play tennis year-round and compete in local tournaments around Maryland.

What is your favorite dessert? 

• Honestly, anything from Coldstone…

What is your favorite album? 

•  Everything Means Nothing – Blackbear

What is your favorite thing to eat? 

• Breakfast food for sure!  Pancakes, French toast, eggs, bacon…I could eat it for every meal of the day.

What is your favorite tradition or holiday? 

• Halloween!  It gives me an excuse to eat lots of candy.

Arija joined Cloudforce in 2021 as Executive Assistant and manages the daily motion of the office and our busy CTO. She also creates and produces Cloudforce networking events large and small and helps execute community outreach efforts and staff development activities. Prior to Cloudforce, Arija spent many years working with startups and nonprofits to help them grow and develop relationships with their communities. As Community Manager for Washington, DC-based Springboard Enterprises, Arija directed many efforts and events to help accelerate the growth of women-led businesses in technology and life sciences. As a leader of Dolphin Tank (“like Shark Tank, but friendlier”), Arija traveled across the U.S. to convene women in technology and help them present their ideas to audiences of knowledgeable industry members for valuable insights and feedback. Arija now looks to bring her well-honed networking and planning skills to advance the Cloudforce mission and its many community-wide efforts.

In her free time, Arija reads historical fiction and women’s history books. She also spends lots of time with friends and family free from her phone since her relationships are her greatest treasure!

Other fun facts about Arija:

What are three words to describe you?

• Friendly, fun, resourceful

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

• A writer

What is one quote that stands out to you?

• “Think with the heart, not with the ego.”

What are you reading at this moment?

• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

What is your favorite tradition or holiday?

• Friendsgiving because my birthday falls around Thanksgiving and I love food and quality time with loved ones.

Angela’s fascination with technology began at a young age, but her passion veritably came to fruition when she started high school. She participated in PLTW (Project Lead the Way), a pre-engineering program where she completed courses in digital electronics and civil engineering. As a student at Bowie State University, Angela facilitated projects such as the Disaster Relief IoT System, which created a system that would detect clean and usable water after a natural disaster event.

Angela is also an accomplished costume designer and seamstress. Her work has been showcased throughout the DMV area with theatrical companies such as Imagination Stage, MNCPPC’s Shakespeare in the Parks, and Arena Stage. In 2019, she collaborated with the award-winning Arlington Art Truck and various fabric artists on a local art installation titled TIES THAT BIND: Learn to Sew on a Button and Connect. Shortly thereafter, she completed an internship with Amazon Web Services as a Solutions Architect Intern and is an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. Angela joined the Cloudforce family as a Cloud Services Intern and earned a certification in Microsoft Azure Fundamentals. She is now a Cloud Services Associate and is thrilled at the opportunity to grow with the company as it revolutionizes custom cloud solutions.

Fun facts about Angela:

What fictional family would you be a member of?

• The Rose Family from Schitt’s Creek

What is your favorite dessert?

• Apple Pie

What is your favorite album?

• Nation of Two by Vance Joy

What are you reading at this moment?

• “Our Time is Now” by Stacey Abrams

What is one quote that stands out to you?

• “You have no obligation to your former self.” – Hank Green

For Michael, a passion for learning and acquiring new skills drives a multitude of non-stop professional, technical, and academic pursuits. Michael’s drive and ambition took root in his days as an Information Technology major at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where his myriad experiences led to advancement in various areas of focus. Following graduation, Michael participated in the Cloudforce internship program, and has since gone on to receive his AZ-900 certification and become a Cloud Applications Associate. Moving forward, Michael is eager to tackle the diverse array of challenges and opportunities presented by the wide array of public and private sector clients served by Cloudforce.

Fun facts about Michael:

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce?

• I like to work on personal projects. Usually, it’s something a friend is interested in or a project that will help me learn a new skill. I also like to play video games a good amount. Recently I’ve been trying to get into game development but it’s pretty time consuming.

What is one quote that stands out to you?

• “People pay for what they do, and still more for what they have allowed themselves to become. And they pay for it very simply; by the lives they lead.” – James Baldwin, “No name in the street.
• I like to think of this quote in the context of my personal agency in making myself who I am and how my actions affect what other people see in me.

As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

• I wanted to be a lot of things: landscaper, judge (not a lawyer), baseball player, etc.

What is your favorite dessert?

• Well-made Strawberry Shortcake!

If you could be guaranteed one thing in life (besides money), what would it be and why?

• Good health, success, an abundance of free time or just peace and calm.

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away”

• Pablo Picasso

Kamal’s story is one of a passionate boy who wants to change the world. After moving out of his house at age 17, skipping college to work and achieve his goals… His life before Cloudforce was that of volunteering, helping others with issues that they had problems solving. After mastering this ability, he translated that problem-solving ability to groups, and eventually sales. He became successful in sales because he saw it as a way to help others. And in the process, he’s forged bonds with customers that he’ll never forget.

He takes this experience into Cloudforce as the Cloud Champion with the aim of assisting it to become the greatest tech company in the world, while also helping others achieve success through what we do in Azure and the cloud in general.

There is no greater game than helping others.

Other fun facts about Kamal:

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce?

• Socialize, Study and Slack Off

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?

• You’re never going to get anywhere looking at what you’re not, you’re going to get places by putting emphasis on what you are. The lies of who you are not are weaker than the truth of who you are.

What is your favorite album?

• Lupe Fiasco’s Tetsuo & Youth

What fictional family would you be a member of?

• The Incredible Family (From the Incredibles)

What are three words to describe you?

• Three words are not enough to describe me

Gin joined Cloudforce as a Junior Workforce Specialist immediately after graduating from University of Maryland. Since then, Gin has deftly applied her degree in psychology and sociology, along with her innate people skills, to help grow and shape our elite team into an even more richly diverse and talented force. Throughout her life, Gin has embraced a multitude of hobbies and activities, including dance, gymnastics, skiing, piano, violin, art, cooking, baking, and programming. Throughout college, Gin worked as a camp counselor, Lithuanian school teacher, and research assistant in various fields of psychology. A Maryland native, Gin thrives on trying new things and has spent many summers interning and studying in Europe. In her free time, Gin likes to go out with friends, watch reality TV, paint, read, play board or video games, experiment with spices, and most especially, travel.  

Other fun facts about Gin: 

What is your favorite dessert? 

• Mochi ice cream! 

What are you reading at this moment? 

• Currently reading Agatha Christie novels 

What is your favorite thing to eat? 

• Sushi!!!! Or any Korean BBQ 

What fictional world (comics, TV, anything) or place would you like to visit? 

• Harry Potter World – this is the only right answer! 

What is your favorite item you’ve bought this year? 

• A big, red, velvet Papasan chair from Facebook Marketplace. I love napping in it or curling up and reading a book. Good vibes. 

Growing up, Tre was always that kid who wanted to “fix” everything. Lucky for us, Tre was especially drawn to technology and electronics, and decided to pursue a degree in information technology. As a student at Capitol Technology University in 2015, Tre enjoyed his first venture into the IT industry working as an intern at Washington Redskins Stadium. After graduation in 2017, Tre worked as an IT federal contractor prior to joining Cloudforce. Now a Cloudforce Systems Analyst, Tre specializes in providing technical support to users on all matters related to computer hardware, software, networking, and applications. Having discovered the enormous potential and opportunity at Cloudforce and beyond, Tre has set his sights on other areas of expertise such as SCCM and device management. Tre now confidently stands ready to make his mark – fixing things and making a difference – in the powerful and vast world of IT.  

More fun facts about Tre: 

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce? 

• Spend time with my loved ones, especially my daughter; watch and play sports; read books; and tackle DIY projects 

What are 3 words to describe you? 

• Ambitious, freethinking, and courageous  

What is your favorite dessert? 

• Snickerdoodles 

What is your favorite tradition or holiday? 

• Thanksgiving 

What is your favorite thing to eat? 

• Chicken – jerk chicken, chicken and waffles, chicken pasta – just about anything with chicken  

Todd is a highly accomplished IT professional with over 30 years of experience facilitating IT Solutions in a variety of industries and disciplines. As a Cloudforce Cloud Applications SME, Todd offers expertise in designing, developing, and delivering enterprise web and windows-based applications; and is equally effective as a business analyst aligning client solutions with their organizational needs and value streams. Outside of work, Todd enjoys playing the guitar, golfing, hiking, and boating.

 Other fun facts about Todd:

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce?

• I enjoy most types of outdoor activities – hiking, golfing, fishing, boating, and skiing in the winter. 

What is your favorite musical instrument? 

• The guitar 

What is your favorite thing to eat?

• Pizza 

What is your favorite dessert? 

• Bread Pudding 

What is your favorite season? 

• Summer 

Justin’s passion for computers started during his senior year at Largo High School, when he built his first gaming computer. After gaining more experience in IT, Justin went to work at Geek Squad, where he became an accomplished Apple Certified iOS Technician (ACiT) performing extensive computer/phone hardware and software troubleshooting. 

After graduating Bowie State University with a bachelor’s degree in IT for computer security, Justin accepted an IT student trainee position with the Department of Agriculture, where he managed financial webpages for all government departments. Justin has since joined Cloudforce as a Technical Support Specialist, where he enjoys testing his knowledge on computers and tackling new challenges every day. 

Other fun facts about Justin: 

What is one quote that stands out to you? 

• “You’re going to pay a price for every bloody thing you do and everything you don’t do.” – Jordan Peterson 

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce? 

• A combination of playing video games (League of Legends, Apex, Elden Ring) and studying automotive engineering for various 90s Japanese cars 

What is your dream car? 

• 1991-95 MR2 SW20 

What is your favorite dessert? 

• Tiramisu, hands down! 

What are you reading at this moment? 

• The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

Lucas has been in front of a computer since he was a child — from playing games on floppy disks and CDs to his heart’s content, to his dad showing him how to download music. Over time this grew into a yearning for more knowledge. In college at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, he obtained a B.S. in information systems with a focus in cybersecurity and grew interest in the cloud. After graduating, he quickly found his way to Cloudforce where he was hired as an intern. He absorbed everything he could and got his hands into as much as possible and earned a full-time position on the service desk, and then a position on the engineering team as a Cloud Solutions Associate. Here he’s putting his skills to the test helping companies build and migrate into the cloud – and using infrastructure as code as a foundation for it all.

Other fun facts about Lucas:

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce?

• I love to weightlift so a lot of the time you may find me up in the gym just workin’ on my fitness. I also love to learn new things and be on the water. Gym, books, and boats.

Do you have any hidden talents?

• I can make the platypus noise from Perry the Platypus – I guess it’s not so hidden anymore.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

• An astronaut – still do – still don’t think it’s going to happen. I compensate for this desire by learning about astronomy and astrophotography when I have the time because anything related to space is still fascinating to me. 

What is your favorite thing to eat?

• Really have been digging bagels recently – and glazed pecans.

What are you reading at this moment?

• A Japanese children’s book – I can barely understand a thing, but we’re getting there.

Kwabena comes from a family of accountants, which is what led him to major in business systems and processes with a minor in accounting. Shortly after graduating, Kwabena joined Cloudforce as an Accounting/Bookkeeping Intern, and just three months later, was promoted to full-time Junior Accountant/Bookkeeper. Kwabena now works to help create and deploy several new Cloudforce financial-efficiency processes and solutions and is focused on acquiring his CPA certification in the near future. 

Other fun facts about Kwabena: 

If you had to delete all but 3 apps from your phone, which 3 would you keep? 

• Banking app, Ameritrade, and Twitter 

What is your favorite album? 

• As of right now, Gunna’s “Drip Season 4ever” 

What is your favorite thing to eat? 

• Jollof (Ghanian Dish) 

Have you ever completed anything on your bucket list? 

• Graduating from college 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given? 

• It isss whaaaaat it issss 

Christian grew up on a small farm in Pennsylvania and always loved working with his hands. He also always had an interest in defending and protecting others, whether that was by playing goalie on his high school soccer team or by working for the Ocean City Maryland Beach Patrol. His interest in technology arrived a little later — when he attended Penn State University and stumbled into some information technology classes, he quickly learned he had a passion for technology. His love for tech and defense led to his interest in cybersecurity and paved the path for him to join the team at Cloudforce as a Cloud Security Administrator. Christian is excited to further strengthen the security posture of Cloudforce and share advancements with Cloudforce clients. 

Other fun facts about Christian:

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce? 

• I like to stay active and hit the gym or play in my pickup basketball league to stay in shape unless it is Sunday, then I am glued to my TV watching the Baltimore Ravens. 

What is one quote that stands out to you? 

• “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.” -Gloria Steinem  
• This quote was very eye-opening to me when I first heard it. It is a reminder that learning the truth or seeing a better solution means that we will have to accept when we are wrong, which is never easy but important for growth. 

As a child what did you want to be when you grew up? 

• Truck driver 

What is your favorite dessert? 

• Chocolate cake in any form 

If you could be guaranteed one thing in life (besides money), what would it be and why? 

• Lamar Jackson winning a Super Bowl with Baltimore. 

Having spent her time in college studying both English and chemistry, Sarah has always had a deep appreciation for both discovery and storytelling — she wants to figure out how something works, and then write about it. Her passion for storytelling found early roots — in grade school, Sarah spent most of her time writing about the people around her, which was often preceded by some level of interrogation (her grandfather once called her “Question Box” because she would ask him questions repeatedly until he would politely leave the room).

Sarah’s love for writing, tackling problems, and understanding how new systems, places, and people work led her to become Proposal and Contract Specialist at Cloudforce. Writing — creatively, technically, and formally — has allowed her to connect to those outside of Cloudforce, as well as discover more about the tech gurus within.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?

• A veterinarian — I loved science classes and grew up with five dogs.

What is your favorite thing to eat?

• Rye bread — totally plain. I could probably eat a whole loaf in one sitting if not for my own personal shame.

What do you do when you’re not at Cloudforce?

• I work out, walk, hike, and explore a lot, and am constantly looking for sweets.

Do you have any hidden talents?

• I memorized the first 40 digits of pi in 3^rd grade. On Pi Day in my AP Statistics class senior year of high school, I recited them and won an actual pie.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

• Life is long, and there’s time to do the things you want to do (as long as you really want to do them!).