Jim Capps - A Character With Character

...because interesting people are more fun to work with

by Jim Capps and Reagan Pugh on October 12th, 2012

I was born and raised in Long Beach, California - we didn't have global warming back then.  I was a co-captain of my high school football team at Long Beach Polytechnic which gave me some "street cred" when I joined a flag football team at the age of 36 in an attempt to recapture my youth. But all I got out of the deal was a dislocated ring finger. As a child, I wanted to be G.I. Joe, so I worked hard in school and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point.  Upon graduation from West Point, I was a 2nd Lieutenant headed to the home of the Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where it rains mud (which is probably why they call it the "Dust Bowl of America”). There I learned how to blow things up from far away.  I also traveled throughout the continental United States and South Korea and met my soul mate while stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado.  Somehow, we ended up at the same country bar that was hosting a "Penny Pitcher" night.  I am not sure what I remember from that first night, but we will celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary this year and have two wonderful children, so I must have done something right.  After five years as an Army Officer, I made Captain, but used my computer science degree exactly twice. I figured it was time for a change, so I looked for a civilian job that would allow me to work with people and play with computers.  That career change led me to software consulting and a chance to move back home to California.  On the weekends you can find me spending time with my family camping, deep sea fishing, watching movies or playing video games.  

Your favorite virtue? Why?

Being a father of a 13 year old girl, I would have to say chastity is my favorite virtue at the moment.  However, if I had to choose one that best describes me, I would say diligence because I never give up on solving a problem.  

Your ideal occupation?

I assume that doesn't mean being a Kalypsonian, so I would say high school football coach. I wouldn’t have to be the head coach, but I would find it fun to go back to Long Beach Polytechnic High School and help change the lives of the students there by helping them scope out their futures and achieve their goals. There really isn't anything better than being under the Friday night lights with the crowds cheering. Otherwise, being a brewmaster comes to mind. I think that providing good times (for those of age) would have some great perks.   

Who are your favorite heroes of fiction?

My favorite heroes of fiction are Inspector Gadget, Indian Jones, Han Solo, James Bond, The Brown Hornet, Eric Cartman "Respect my Authoritah," Batman, The Hulk, Iron Man, Laura Croft, Spartan 117, Superman, Wonder Woman, and I am sure there are more.  

If you were a kind of herbivore, what kind of herbivore would you be and why?

I would be a hippopotamus because they are huge, loud and enjoy laying around in the water all day. Don't let their size fool you - they are quicker than you think; just try to out-run one the next time you are in Africa.  

When was a time you were chosen to do something important?

Back in college I was elected the Vice President of the Contemporary Affairs Seminar (CAS), which was a predominantly minority club at West Point.  I was in charge of planning all events for the club and outings to significant attractions in New York City like the Blue Note, Cotton Club and Harlem Art Museum, as well as working with an orphanage where we would bring the kids to a couple of Army Football games and a picnic in the spring. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Jim is a manager. Hiring Characters with Character is one of Kalypso's core values - click here to learn more about our values and firm culture.

Topics: Characters with Character, Jim Capps, Kalypso Culture, Kalypso Employees, Kalypso Values, Keep Kalypso Weird

About the Authors

Jim Capps, Manager Jim is a manager with Kalypso bringing over 13 years of professional experience in product lifecycle management (PLM) for various industries including high tech, medical devices and federal aerospace and defense. Read more articles by Jim Capps

Reagan Pugh, Raconteur Reagan likes to watch, read and tell stories. He often wishes he was Batman - you know, grappling hooks. Read more articles by Reagan Pugh