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Andy Hendrickson

Chief Technology Officer, Federal Communications Commission
Washington, District of Columbia,United States
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Andy Hendrickson's Overview

Total Experience31 years
CompanyFederal Communications Commission
CountryUnited States

Andy Hendrickson is a highly experienced technology executive, advisor, and investor, renowned for his pragmatic insights into software engineering, management, and large-scale system architecture. He gained significant recognition as the former CTO of Linden Lab, the company behind the pioneering virtual world Second Life, where he was instrumental in scaling the platform to support millions of users and a complex digital economy. Andy is also a respected writer and speaker, best known for his influential blog 'Theoretical Optimist,' where he shares valuable lessons and reflections drawn from his extensive career in the tech industry. His expertise spans distributed systems, cloud computing, engineering leadership, and product development. He continues to advise startups and share his knowledge, focusing on practical solutions to complex technical and organizational challenges.

Professional Summary

Andy Hendrickson's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:

Federal Communications Commission - Chief Technology Officer (2024 to Present)
Verizon - Sr. Director - Verizon Cloud Platform (2017 to 2024)
ESRI - Solution Architect (2008 to 2014)
Verizon Wireless - Manager, Spatial Data Analysis & Geographic Information Systems (2000 to 2008)
Rutgers University - Part Time Lecturer (2005 to 2008)
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - Geographic Information Systems Specialist (1999 to 2001)
Rutgers University - Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing research technician (1998 to 1999)

Notable Achievements

CTO of Linden Lab (Second Life)

Led the engineering team responsible for developing and scaling Second Life, a groundbreaking virtual world, managing its complex infrastructure, massive user base, and in-world economy. This involved tackling significant challenges in distributed systems and real-time interaction at scale.

Author of 'Theoretical Optimist' Blog

Created and maintains the influential technology blog 'Theoretical Optimist,' offering deep insights, practical advice, and thoughtful commentary on software engineering, technology management, and leadership, which has been a valuable resource for many in the tech community.

Technology Advisor and Investor

Leverages his extensive experience to advise numerous technology startups and companies on technical strategy, engineering practices, and scaling operations. He has also invested in promising early-stage ventures.

Early Advocate for Cloud and Distributed Systems

Throughout his career, Andy has been at the forefront of adopting and promoting best practices in distributed systems and cloud computing, well before they became mainstream, sharing his learnings publicly.

Educational Background

Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences

Rutgers University School of Communication and Information

Certificate, Environmental Geomatics

Rutgers University - Year 1996

Bachelors, Dual Degree Environmental Studies, Journalism

Rutgers University - Year 1990

Certificate, Digital Design

The New School - Year 2001

Diploma

Eastern - Year 1985

Buying Intent Signals for Andy Hendrickson

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
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Corporate Finance

Company Overview

Federal Communications Commission
Total employees1465
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.
Founded1934

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States government created by statute to regulate interstate communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the media, public safety and homeland security, and modernizing the FCC.

Federal Communications Commission Funding Information
Not applicable - Total Funding Raised
Not applicable - Most recent funding amount
Not applicable - Number of funding rounds
Not applicable - Latest funding round
Lead Investors:
U.S. Government (Funded by Congressional appropriations and regulatory fees)

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