Moin, I'm Gil Desmarais
How curiosity, systems thinking, and experience shaped the way I build and lead.
I first connected to the Internet through a 28.8k modem and built my first website in Notepad, following
a tutorial from a computer magazine explaining <frames> :D. It was the early web. Curiosity was the only roadmap.
From there, I began experimenting with JavaScript, Perl, PHP, and MySQL. Writing scripts for IRC clients sparked an interest in how systems communicate beneath the surface. Discovering Linux pushed that further. Bootstrapping Gentoo Linux on my only computer taught me how operating systems actually manage complexity. That experience still shapes my engineering mindset today.1
During vocational training, I bridged hardware and software: soldering circuits, programming
microcontrollers, and exploring signal processing with Assembler and Delphi.
Serving in the German Air Force added structure and accountability: supporting IT operations for NATO staff
showed how trust, process, and technical skill align when uptime isn't optional.
Studying Business Computer Science gave me the dual lenses I rely on today.
Translating technical reality into business value, and turning business constraints into pragmatic engineering
decisions. That balance between architecture and outcome defines how I lead, build, and deliver.
The curiosity that started with a Commodore 64 now drives how I design systems, teams, and decisions: With an eye for clarity, longevity, and real-world impact.
What drives me
- Efficiency: surface root causes and remove friction, not just symptoms.
- Systems thinking: connect dependencies across technology and culture so decisions age well.
- Ease of use: deliver outcomes that make work simpler for teams and customers alike.
- Knowledge sharing: teach, document, and invite questions so the whole team levels up.
- Delight in the details: keep experiences calm, reliable, and quietly excellent.
Personal passions
- Music: electronic for decades; vinyl DJing taught rhythm, flow, and focus.
- Movement: cycling, yoga, and long walks to keep systems balanced.
- Film: long-time passion and part of my career; I log and recommend what I watch.
- Learning: cities, culture, aviation, food; how systems evolve and connect.
How I think about work
I start with why
before how
. Understanding the system, incentives, and risks leads to
better answers. I map dependencies, frame trade-offs, and keep communication crisp so teams can act with
confidence.
My background in film taught me storytelling discipline. Designing experiences that feel intuitive, leaving room for feedback, and keeping the protagonists in focus: customers, editors, or engineers.
Whether leading a team, architecting a system, or refining a process, the goal is consistent: make technology serve people. Build systems that are maintainable, scalable, and grounded in real outcomes.
Say hi
When I'm not working on systems, you might find me exploring these spaces:
Head over to my contact page for all the ways to reach me.
And yes, I'll still respond if your first guess is
Jill. :-)
If you're here for work specifics, my Résumé has the details.
Footnotes
- [1]: Staying connected became a bit of a mission too. By 2008 I even rigged my Nokia E51 as a UMTS modem over Bluetooth so I could stay online on the move while most people around me in Germany were still dialing in at home; here's the write-up for a little early-internet wink.