Name: Greg Carte

Position:  Technical Operations Coordinator

When did you join AACE?
I joined AACE originally in 1992 and left in 1997 to pursue another opportunity. I rejoined the AACE staff in 2012. Because of this, even though my employment with AACE has not been continuous, I can say that I worked at AACE before any of the current staff. I was there when Christian Heller was hired! Now that’s Old School!

Why do you do what you do, professionally?
I became interested in computers at a pretty young age. Beginning with our first computer, a 286 (for those as old as me), I began teaching myself DOS and started doing upgrades to that system. This was even before the first Windows OS was released. In fact, I remember during my first stint with AACE, Christian Heller and I being so excited at the upcoming release of Windows ’95 that we requested and were granted permission to go buy it the day it was released by our then Executive Director. Talk about a couple of utter and complete nerds! I continue to enjoy learning about new technology as it is invented and improved. I’m constantly amazed at how quickly we’ve reached the level of today’s technology in such a relatively short period of time. It’s mind-boggling.

What do you enjoy most about working at AACE? 
I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to work with such a wonderful group. The AACE Staff is professional and efficient but, most endearing to me, is their capacity to truly care about one another. I’ve never worked with a nicer and more caring group of people. It makes coming to work a much more pleasant and satisfying experience than I’ve ever had elsewhere in my career. I’m grateful for this crew.

Tell us about your interests, family, and/or a fun fact!
I have been married to my amazing wife, Cathie Falvey, for nearly 35 years. She and I have had many adventures together that have made life pretty wonderful. We have a brilliant daughter, Emma, who constantly makes us laugh and makes us proud. She’s so witty, I think she could probably be a very successful writer for a sitcom. We have a COVID-19 rescue dog, Benny, who is absurdly strange and, at times, annoying but, because he’s so adorable, gets away with all his many oddities. We adore him.

As for a fun fact, when I was in my early 20s, I was a drummer in an originals band in Morgantown who were lucky enough to open for The Red Hot Chili Peppers when they were touring supporting their first record. Those were some good, and deafening times. I can look back on those years fondly while simultaneously cursing them for making me quite deaf all these many years later.