Behind the Experts: Stories from Kscope26

Throughout the week, attendees stopped by our booth to talk Oracle APEX, cloud, AI, architecture, performance, and modernization. Between those conversations, Monty Latiolais sat down with several members of our team to learn a little more about the people behind the expertise. The result wasn't a discussion about technology. It was a conversation about careers, habits, interests, and the experiences that shaped the people our customers work with every day.

Not Everyone Started in Technology. One of the most surprising themes was that there is no single path to becoming an expert. Some team members have spent most of their lives around technology. Others arrived there through very different careers.

Before transitioning into software and Oracle technologies, Louis studied chemistry and worked in a laboratory environment. His story is a reminder that curiosity and a willingness to learn can open unexpected doors.

For Plamen Mushkov, the crossroads looked entirely different. He spent years playing football and seriously considered pursuing it professionally before eventually choosing technology full time.

Learning Never Stops

When asked about mentors and influences, the team mentioned well-known names from the Oracle community, including Connor McDonald, Tom Kyte, Cary Millsap, Dimitri Gielis, and Vincent Morneau. But perhaps the most memorable answer came from Plamen.

It is a simple statement, but it captures the mindset shared by many successful technologists. The best experts never stop learning, and they never assume they have all the answers.

The Habits Behind the Work

Many people see the results of expertise but rarely see the routines behind it. Rich Soule shared that he starts every day with a four-mile walk, a habit he has maintained for nearly a decade. Louis and Plamen both balance busy mornings with family responsibilities before fitting in exercise and preparing for the day ahead.

The routines are different, but the common thread is consistency.

How Experts Stay Organized

Every expert develops systems that help them solve problems faster. For Rich, that system has evolved into something legendary.

Over the years, Rich has documented customer environments, fixes, lessons learned, and configuration changes in extraordinary detail. The result is a searchable history that helps him quickly solve problems that may only surface once every year or two.

As Monty joked during the interview, it's essentially "Rich-GPT."

Curiosity Is a Career Advantage

Another theme that surfaced throughout the conversation was curiosity. Whether discussing books, podcasts, travel, sports, or technology, each person shared a genuine desire to keep learning.

That curiosity often leads to unexpected discoveries, new perspectives, and better solutions for customers.

Technology Isn't the Only Passion

Outside of work, the team's interests are as varied as their career paths. Dave is a lifelong hockey player and fan who still plays regularly. Louis and Plamen both named Thailand as one of the most memorable places they have visited. Several team members play guitar, while others spend much of their free time with family, sports, and travel.

These personal interests may not appear on a résumé, but they shape the perspectives and experiences that people bring into their work every day.

What Makes an Expert?

By the end of the conversation, one thing became clear. There is no single formula. Some experts started as chemists. Some considered professional sports careers. Some learned from books, mentors, and communities. Others learned by documenting thousands of pages of experience or constantly exploring new ideas. What they all share is curiosity, continuous learning, and a commitment to helping others solve problems. Those are the qualities we saw throughout Kscope26, and they're the same qualities our team brings to every customer engagement.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth, attended a session, or spent time talking with our team during the event. We look forward to continuing the conversation.

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