For 20 years, Slingshot has been creating innovative, custom software solutions, and at the heart of that journey is Mike Hurd. As Slingshot’s first-ever employee, Mike has been a cornerstone of the company’s growth, evolution, and success.
To celebrate this milestone anniversary, we sat down with Mike to hear his story, reflect on his time at Slingshot, and get his perspective on what makes the company unique.
For 20 years, Slingshot has been creating innovative, custom software solutions, and at the heart of that journey is Mike Hurd. As Slingshot’s first-ever employee, Mike has been a cornerstone of the company’s growth, evolution, and success.
To celebrate this milestone anniversary, we sat down with Mike to hear his story, reflect on his time at Slingshot, and get his perspective on what makes the company unique.
Mike’s Journey to Slingshot
Mike, you were Slingshot’s first-ever employee. Can you tell us how you came to join the company?
“I graduated from the University of Louisville with David and had somewhat stayed in contact with him for a few years thereafter. He reached out when an opportunity came up to bring me on board, so we had lunch one day to talk about it.”
What was the role or project that brought you on board?
“I was brought in as a developer to work on a large ‘debit/credit’ system.” Slingshot had been doing smaller projects for them but was now looking to tackle something bigger.
What were those early days like?
“They were different, that’s for sure! My previous employer wasn’t huge by any means, but going from 20 or 30 people in an office to just three was quite different.
“And technically, there were more people in the office space since we shared it with another company. But there were only three of us at Slingshot on my first day.”
How would you describe the company culture back then?
“The second full-time employee was hired right after me, and the four of us worked very closely together. We were all around the same age and knew one another to some degree before Slingshot; it was easy to build up team camaraderie. It’s simpler to have everyone together when you’re so small for things like project meetings and lunches, and I thought that really helped the team jell together.”
Reflections: Key Moments and Growth
You’ve been with Slingshot for over 17 years. What’s kept you here for so long?
“Although the culture has changed and people have come and gone over the years, Slingshot still has a great group of people with a wide range of skill sets. David has done an incredible job building the company, and I couldn’t imagine a better group to work with.”
What are some of the most memorable projects or milestones you’ve participated in?
“Well, that initial project that I was brought on to help with certainly sticks out since everything was so fresh and new at the time.
“I also have to say Telleniuim; I’ve been working with them in some capacity for over 15 years now. That project is very rewarding because I’ve seen it grow to where it is today.”
How has Slingshot changed or evolved since those early days?
“When I first arrived, all three of us were writing code, including David. That was such a change of pace from my last job, which had a much more traditional corporate hierarchy. Over time, we’ve obviously grown into a semi-traditional title structure, but in the beginning, it was cool to be working for a company that was very developer-centric.
“Even though the culture and personnel changes, I think Slingshot has maintained the core idea of hiring great people and arming them with whatever tools can make them the most efficient and effective at their job.”
Perspective: What Makes Slingshot Special
What are the first three words that come to your mind when you think of Slingshot? Why those words?
“Awesome. Fun. Skilled.”
Awesome because of the incredible projects we’ve worked on and the team’s ability to solve complex problems creatively. The culture here has always been fun, even from the early days. Slingshot has always found a way to make work enjoyable. Lastly, the level of skill at Slingshot is unmatched. From developers to designers and everyone in between, the team is made up of talented people who are always willing to learn and grow.
As someone who’s been here since day one, what do you think sets Slingshot apart?
“I think it’s the people, the team. Not just from a technical standpoint, but being able to work well together and adapt to change.”
Are there any particular skills or lessons you’ve learned along the way?
“I had a limited amount of project management experience before Slingshot, but I’ve had an opportunity to hone those skills over the years on various projects.”
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their career at Slingshot?
“One of Slingshot’s greatest strengths is the team’s cumulative experience. You can lean on others and expand your knowledge base and skill set.”
Closing Thoughts
Reflecting on his nearly two decades with Slingshot, Mike sums it up best:
“I’m enjoying the ride, and I hope it never stops.”
As Slingshot celebrates its 20th anniversary, we’re incredibly grateful for Mike’s contributions and dedication. Mike has been an integral part of Slingshot’s journey from the early days of three-person meetings to helping build a company that thrives on innovation and teamwork.
Here’s to Mike—and to the next 20 years of Slingshot!
Created by: Mike Hurd
Mike was our first ever employee, and we’re happy to say he’s still with us all these years later. He’s one of the best at understanding our client’s perspective, being able to translate ideas into what needs to be built. As someone who enjoys simplicity, he’s incredibly organized. After hours, you can find him playing basketball or working on his video game website completionator.com
Edited by: Savannah Cherry
Savannah is our one-woman marketing department. She posts, writes, and creates all things Slingshot. While she may not be making software for you, she does have a minor in Computer Information Systems. We’d call her the opposite of a procrastinator: she can’t rest until all her work is done. She loves playing her switch and meal-prepping.
