RICHARD SHERIDAN:
 




 
 
 
 
 
President and CEO, Menlo Innovations LLC, an Ann Arbor-based software design and development firm. Menlo has pioneered the application of agile software development techniques combined with a unique High-Tech Anthropology® practice resulting in software that is both usable and useful to clients and their end user audiences.


WHERE BORN: Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON: “Thomas Edison. He really developed the original model for research and development. He did it in one big open room, he stressed the strength of team in an open and collaborative work space.”

LAST BOOK READ: “Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell.”

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: “Enthusiastic speaker and passionate about software development.”

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: “Actually I think we’re entering the golden age of software development. I think the hardware is where it needs to be to support anything our imaginations can handle. We can carry around a cell phone that’s a music player and TV. And software is going to drive all of this stuff. Now, it might do it poorly, but that’s the challenge our industry faces. I think software is very much a part of the life sciences industry as well. The life sciences industry is generating a tremendous amount of data that needs to be sorted through. I think unlike times past, people recognize the human is the most important component in software development, not the computer, not the tools, not the process.”

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: “The IPOD Nano. I like the fact that it’s now completely solid state, so there are no moving parts inside. What a great form factor. And I think it continues to demonstrate the power of Moore’s Law and our ability to squeeze even more stuff into a tiny space. And the enjoyable user interface makes it a joy to own.”

FAVORITE PLACE: “Whistler, British Columbia. Or just about any golf course on the planet.”

FAVORITE HOBBY: “Downhill skiing.”

FAVORITE FOOD: “Anything Zingerman’s makes. The one sandwich I especially love there is called Tom’s New Job. It’s basically a turkey reuben that hasn’t been grilled.”

MY HIDDEN TALENT: “Sing bass in the choir.”

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: “Whether I succeed or fail, that I was passionate about what I did.”

Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2009, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.