Who is Alex

My name is Alex, I’m an entrepreneur from Philadelphia, PA.

My background is heavy immersion in technology, from just shy of 10 years in the IT/computer support space. After working through home desktop support to business network desktop support to business network server support, I took the leap into the web. After working at a couple of local agencies doing front end and UI code production work (heavy focus on web standards, usability, and accessibility for XHTML/CSS/Javascript interface).

I left the agency run to start WeKnowHTML.com, my independent web development consulting business in 2006. Partnering with design talent both local and abroad, I not only worked hard at keeping my skills sharp but networked heavily across the boundary-less industry of the web. After a short period of time working from home, I was inspired by the Coworking movement, which was brought to my attention by my friends Chris Messina and Tara Hunt, champions of the popular Barcamp movement and also catalysts in the recent growth of the coworking movement. After hearing about their shared office space built on top of a community of independents in San Francisco, I realized it was exactly what Philly (and I) needed.

After joining forces with Geoff DiMasi as a partner in a Phildadelphia coworking venture, 9 months of community building later we opened the doors to IndyHall: Philly’s first Coworking space. We provide a venue for an extremely diverse community of independents and small business owners to come and get their work done, while being inspired by the social interactions lost to working from home instead of from an office. We’re the best of office culture, blended with coffee shop culture, with a strong does of Philly pride.

Our office has been operating and growing since September 1st, 2007. Our membership is growing steadily, with our office reaching capacity in August 2008, and our office is populated by a constant flow of some of Philly’s most interesting, creative, talented smart people.

We’ve learned a tremendous amount about communities and creative people through this, and now I’m working hard to bring things full circle by getting involved in projects where I can be involved in the technology side, as well as the community and social strategy side, marrying my two greatest passions.

I also really like to write and talk (that’s what a blog is for, right?). I’ve spoken at various events including Blog World Expo, BlogPhiladelphia, BlogOrlando, BarcampAustin II, Barcamp Miami, and SXSW Interactive. Interested in having me speak at your event about social technology? Drop me a line.

Also, I participate in a couple of regular meetup groups like Junto @ P’unk Ave and The Cream Cheese Sessions.

Other interests include music (anything but country, for crying out loud), snowboarding, and really anything involving technology and how we interact with one another using it.

Oh, one more thing: my thoughts are those of mine and mine alone. They do not represent those of my partners or anyone else whom I am affiliated with, so please don’t get them in trouble just because I shot my mouth off.