About the Gurus
Founded in 2005 as a consulting business doing primarily custom web applications for local companies and non-profits, Twelve Foot Guru has since come to focus on consulting, technical writing, training and creating custom software for small businesses and consumers.
John Clark, President — John holds a Master’s Degree in Human Computer Interaction from Georgia Tech and an undergraduate degree in Music Engineering from Georgia State University. John worked with Bryan at MindSpring and later Earthlink, starting out in Technical Support and Documentation, before moving into Application Development and finally management of a small development team. After leaving Earthlink in 2002, John began working independently as a consultant and programmer, before starting Twelve Foot Guru with Bryan in 2005.
Bryan Johnson, CTO — a graduate of the University of Georgia, Bryan went to work for MindSpring Enterprises in late 1995. At MindSpring, and later Earthlink, for over seven years, Bryan served in multiple positions including Director of System Administration and Director of Internal Application Development. After leaving Earthlink, Bryan took some time off to travel before joining John in starting Twelve Foot Guru.
Based on our experience at MindSpring and Earthlink, we decided to bring a set of Core Values and Beliefs to Twelve Foot Guru:
- We respect the individual, and believe that individuals who are treated with respect and given responsibility respond by giving their best.
- We require complete honesty and integrity in everything we do.
- We make commitments with care, and then live up to them. In all things, we do what we say we are going to do.
- Work is an important part of life, and it should be fun. Being a good business person does not mean being stuffy and boring.
- We are frugal. We guard and conserve the company’s resources with at least the same vigilance that we would use to guard and conserve our own personal resources.
- We insist on giving our best effort in everything we undertake. Furthermore, we see a huge difference between “good mistakes” (best effort, bad result) and “bad mistakes” (sloppiness or lack of effort).
- Clarity in understanding our mission, our goals, and what we expect from each other is critical to our success.
- We are believers in the Golden Rule. In all our dealings we will strive to be friendly and courteous, as well as fair and compassionate.
- We feel a sense of urgency on any matters related to our customers. We own problems and we are always responsive. We are customer driven.
- We care about the environment and believe that if everyone does a little bit to help with preservation, it can add up to a big change for the better.
- We believe that companies are a part of, and should be a force for good within, their community.