Although Andrew Hyde often gets all the press when it comes to StartupWeekend, people forget that there were local organizers.
This weekend, Andrew took a back seat to Will Kern and Matthew VB.
Will’s day job is at AOL, and his night job is taking care of 4 kids (a 2.5 month old and a set of three year old triplets) along with his understanding and lovely wife. Will took on the role of facilitator this weekend, running the seven minute meetings, interfacing with each team, and continually being a positive influence on each attendee at StartupWeekend.
Matthew VB lead the development team and exacted tolls on all who entered the Land of Code. Always quick with a quip, he kept the developers happy, and more importantly, every one at StartupWeekend DC trusted that he would deliver. And at 11:57pm, he did.
If you are an organizer of a StartupWeekend, or thinking about doing it, taking a page from Will and Matthew will serve you well. People were willing to be lead by them because they held the singular focus of launching on Sunday, facilitation and collaboration, and most importantly, understood where they limitations were, and worked to their strengths.
It was wonderful to see them work, and I look forward to continued communication, even though when saying goodbye to Matthew, he said “Im sure I will think of something I like about you on the way home.” Bastard.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Kath // Oct 29, 2007 at 1:40 am
It’s very cool to see the local leadership that emerges with each SW.
Micah. thanks for your Micah-ish spin via the SWDC blog. You (with help from Matthew- hope I’m not missing anyone else) kept us remote SW devotees in the loop.
I would say you (and Matthew) did an ‘awesome’ job and we should all celebrate with a cup of coffee at Trident…but that would probably make your brain explode. And that wouldn’t be good.
2 Justin Thorp // Oct 29, 2007 at 8:30 am
The SWDC organizers are awesome!!!
3 Micah Baldwin // Oct 29, 2007 at 9:27 am
Will and Matthew made it easy. And my heart is black enough without having to have my soul sucked dry by Trident coffee…
4 matthew // Oct 29, 2007 at 10:43 am
I’m still trying to think of something Micah — but just as we delivered HolaNeighbor, I’m sure I’ll be able to think of something
You’re awesome dude! I can’t wait to work with you on something again soon!
5 Victoria Pickering // Oct 29, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Will, Matthew, Andrew, Micah - Thanks so much for running it all so well, and with so much good will.
Leave a Comment