Howdy,
My name is Robert Garrett. I've been a mainframe guy for what, going on 50+ years at this point? I started as an operator in 1974 while still attending university at what was then West Texas State University, now West Texas A&M since the school was annexed into the Texas A&M system. I've been in a system programmer role since 1976. I now have my own independent consulting company now and am still actively working, having "retired" (haha) from my last real job in December 2017. I've worked on everything from 370/145 up through and including z16, DOS/VS ("good old" R34, not VSE), OS/VS1, VM, MVS/370, MVS/SP, MVS/XA, MVS/ESA, now z/OS. I've pretty much "done it all" on every system and subsystem across all those platforms. I've continuously worked with CICS ever since 1.1.2 (two releases prior to the "new fangled" command level API) and am still involved, now as a business partner/beta tester for new but yet unreleased CICS/TS versions. I've done mainframe networking ever since VTAM II was free and bundled with the operating system (and have the scars to prove it). I also have been providing pro-bono system programmer support for my alma mater, WT A&M, for several years and mentoring the professors who teach mainframe-centric classes there. I write in Assembler, REXX, COBOL, and quite a few other languages. REXX is my favorite for getting something done quickly, but for the heavy-lifting nothing beats Assembler. What am I passionate about? Supporting the mainframe and the software that runs on it in all its various forms, combating the erroneous ideas about it "going away" or is somehow inferior just because of how long the technology been around. (In a age where a year-old smart phone is considered to be a relic, how does a technology even begin to survive to be 60 years old? You don't accomplish that by "getting it wrong.") I'm also passionate about teaching, something I do almost daily on my current contract with people who aren't necessarily mainframe-savvy.
Fun fact? Favorite hobby(s)? I feel really fortunate to have enjoyed as much as I do the same work that has paid my bills and fed my family for as long as it has. It's like getting paid to go play. I wondered for years why I so much loved going to CICS conferences in Hursley UK and just being in that area of England. Then after much wifely prodding got me to do one of those DNA tests, I found out that this 100% intensely proud to be a Texan turns out to be 75% British. Go figure. Hobbies: besides computers and software they extend to all kinds of mechanical, working with my hands endeavors including those surrounding a 1969 Pontiac GTO that I've had since my college days and have done all the work restoring it myself, woodworking, metal working, welding, managing my home/business network which, from the way I treat it any time there's a problem, you'd think I was hosting nuclear launch codes on it, aviation, racing, and on and on.
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J Robert Garrett
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Original Message:
Sent: Wed April 09, 2025 02:42 PM
From: Shari Chiara
Subject: Introductions please ..
Our New to Z Group has been growing, and I thought it provided an opportunity for us to get to know each other a little better.
- What is your job role?
- How long have you been working on the mainframe?
- What mainframe technology are you passionate about, or excited to learn more about?
- Share a fun fact about yourself, or your favorite hobby.
I'm looking forward to learning more about each of you.
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Shari Chiara
Program Manager, IBM Champions and Community - IBM Z and LinuxONE
IBM
Charlotte NC
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