Bio: Jesus Moreno

Icetips News Network

Bio: Jesus Moreno
27-Mar-2002 -- Susan Pichotta

This week, the Icetips News Network is pleased to present a bio of one of the more prolific third-party providers. We mean he's prolific in providing products... although he and his wife have been prolific in having children, too (great picture of the kids!). Born in Spain, now living in Southern California, we think the Force is with him.

Jesus Moreno

Who do you work for?
Myself, I own my own company, Gitano Software Inc. I have been self employed since 1984, not always in the software business. I did work during this period for TopSpeed as a full time employee as well.

What do you like best about what you do now?
I love what I do, because every project brings up new challenges and I'm at my best when I put on my creative hat. It is almost like getting a new job and learning about a new industry. I have a hard time quieting my mind as new ideas keep flowing in and I try to get them accomplished.

What has been one of your biggest challenges in using Clarion?
One of my customers' applications requires extensive math calculations to resolve chemical formulas. The biggest challenge has been trying to read the hand written notes from the chemical engineers.

I often re-invent the wheel on many things I do simply because I need to know how something works. Those who know me know that I'm a third party developer that does not use 3rd party tools, for this very same reason.

What has been one of your biggest challenges in business?

Shelley & Jesus at the Royal Palace in Spain

Learning to say no. I have a difficult time with this (I'm learning though). It is difficult to please all. Writing documentation is without a doubt the biggest challenge I face. Also in 1996 our son was diagnosed with leukemia, it was a big challenge to get work done while he was undergoing treatment in the hospital, and even to focus on work during that trying time.

Do you use any computer languages besides Clarion?
Yes. I use whatever the customer requires. Having said this, 90% of my jobs are 100% Clarion only. One of the tools I sell (gReg) caters to other languages as well, Delphi, and Visual Basic. One of the best compliments that I ever had was when a customer looked at my work and exclaimed in surprise "I thought you said you were going to use Clarion to do this program!" He thought it looked way to good to be Clarion. If I have a preference it would have to be Clarion.

When did you start using Clarion?
In the 1980's, I don't remember exactly when. I started with the personal version and quickly moved up to version 2.09. I got tired simply playing games and wanted to do more.

What's the coolest project(s) you've worked on using Clarion?
Always the latest one is then the coolest. I've loved every project I've worked on from the automotive to the medical industries I've worked on applications for many industries. The coolest for me are the tools I develop since I have total control of development and I can do anything I want.

Have you done anything for a living

At the the oldest restaurant in the world, in Spain

other than software development?
Quite a few things actually. My first love would have to be art and painting, and from that I gravitated towards advertising. In 1984 I decided to go on my own and I started a sign painting and outdoor advertising company in Bakersfield. I had to give it up about 4 years ago when I could no longer keep up with both jobs, sign painting and software development.

What are your hobbies/what do you like to do when you're not using Clarion?
Food, travel, art. I really enjoy a night out with my wife to a nice restaurant. Traveling to new places and seeing new things is something that I enjoy very much (I need to remember to leave the laptop at home though). I love art, and never get tired of museums and galleries. I have a small collection of original art that I'm collecting for my children. They include Salvador Dali, Picasso, Goya, Miro, David Schulls, Trevor Southey, Greg Olsen and more.

Married, children, grandchildren, other close family you want to mention?
Yes, Yes, and Yes. Shelley and I have been married for 23 years and have loved every moment of it. We have 10 children, Rosamber, Roxanna, Jesus, Francisco, Raquel, Nicolas, Sebastian, Gabriel, Rebeca, and Alexander… our baby.

Our oldest daughter is married and she has three kids of her own (Joseph, Bailey and Issac). Our second daughter is a Junior at BYU in Provo, Utah, and currently is preparing to attend a mission for our church. Our oldest son is currently serving a mission in New York. All the rest are still at home. We have been very blessed with great kids and I would do it all again without even thinking. I love our family life. Perhaps the best time of the day for us is when we all sit down for dinner at the table (a big table). It may seem like chaos, but we enjoy it. We have fun camping, playing games and other family activities.

Where were you born?
Madrid, Spain. I came to the United States in 1974. I attended Skyline High School in Salt Lake City Utah, and later the University of Utah. I became a United States citizen 3 years ago.

Moreno home

Where do you live now?
Bakersfield, California. A great place (it grows on you) to live… just don't go outside in the summer when it gets to be pretty hot.

What's interesting about where you live?
Perhaps one of the best features of Bakersfield is the great school system. We seem to be central to just about everything in California and at the same time far away from the places we don't want to be.

Have you lived any other interesting places?
I have lived in Madrid, Barcelona, Salt Lake City, Provo and Bakersfield. I have been fortunate to be able to travel to many places and see other lands and cultures.

Which person, from past or present, do you most admire and why?
My wife… super Shelley. I am amazed that she can handle just about anything. She takes care of the kids, the house, the schedule and more. It isn't everyone that can spend 24 hours a day with their spouse and still survive.

What is your favorite food?

This is tough. I love food, I really love food. If I have to choose one it would be Paella (at right) with Langostinos. A typical dish from Spain that contains rice, chicken and sea food. But I'm equally happy with a piece of good bread (those that have visited Spain know what I mean) and a piece of Manchego cheese.

What is your favorite drink?
At present Diet Pepsi. It used to be mountain dew…but had to give that up.

What is your favorite type of music?
Depends, while working smooth jazz does it for me. Classical guitar and latin music (salsa, boleros, etc) fill the rest of the time.

What is your favorite book? Movie?
Anything Star Wars. I guess I'm a fanatic when it comes to the force. I have hundreds of Star Wars memorabilia all over my office. Tied for first place is "A Knights Tale", my kids and I watch that move on a regular basis.

Jesus & Shelley on a cruise to Mexico

If Clarion never existed, what do you think you would be doing at this time?
Probably would have continued working in the graphics area. There are times I miss those days of painting store fronts for a special sale.

Anything else you want to mention?
It made a major impact on our lives when our son was diagnosed with leukemia. We learned more than we ever wanted to know about cancer and treatment. As a result we are great supporters of the Make A Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society, Leukemia and Lymphoma Research Society, and Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times. Thanks to these great organizations and others our son is doing great today. He has been in remission for 4 years and has been off treatment for two years last October. Our kids enjoy many great experiences going to camp with kids who have had similar experiences in their families. It really served as a reminder for us that life is short, we need to be thankful each and every day for what we have.

Shelley & Jesus on Catalina Island, California

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