Coding with grandpa started computer career
When Louis Ciavarella says he’s held some interesting jobs, |
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Louis and his wife, Sonia, have two daughters: Sophia (in green) and Maria. |
he isn’t kidding. He applied for his first job when he was only 9 years old, delivering newspapers. During college, he cleaned a nightclub to pay the rent. After college, he joined the seminary.
Following an eclectic array of careers for the past 28 years, Louis now calls Capital Electric Cooperative his work home. A native of Bismarck, he started in February as an information technologist specialist. His daily work consists of maintaining the desktop computers and servers, updating software and hardware, performing repairs and working with vendors.
Taking his cues from Rich Dunn, engineering assistant, Louis also analyzes data and puts together reports for the co-op. He says reports can be a useful tool in determining meter status and reviewing electric rates.
Before he joined the Capital Electric crew, Louis worked for the state Information Technology Department for six years, where he operated the mainframe that processed statewide billing and payroll.
Always fascinated by computers, Louis says he used his paper route money to buy himself his first computer, a Commodore 64, in the early 1980s. He used the machine to make calculations, create graphics, listen to music and compete with friends to make the quickest and most efficient programs.
His grandfather, who shared Louis’ interest in computers, bought and read magazines on the Commodore 64. Then he’d try to code software and it would often fail, so he’d recruit Louis to help him correct the syntax errors. Louis says these memories remind him of “neat moments with Grandpa.”
Louis graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1988 and moved to Phoenix, Ariz., to study at DeVry University. He says he nearly finished the three-year program, but quit school to pursue a religious calling.
He spent the next 12 years praying, reading and studying to become a priest. After living for three years in Rome, Louis again felt a calling—this time, to leave the seminary and return home to Bismarck
“I felt it was rewarding to help people with their problems, but I wasn’t ready to make a lifetime commitment as a priest,” he says.
Louis moved back home and took a job working at Sykes® while attending night classes at the University of Mary. Before, while he was still in the seminary, Louis helped the priests with their laptops, networks and school servers. One thing that remained constant throughout his life was his interest for computers, so he pursued a degree in computer information systems and graduated in 2002.
Computers aren’t his only passion. Three months after Louis left the seminary, divine intervention led Louis to his future wife, Sonia. She came from Guatemala to tour area schools and share her country’s history. Louis, who fluently speaks and writes Spanish, agreed to translate for her. Looking back, he laughs and says they continue to work on “happily ever after.”
Louis and Sonia have two beautiful daughters, Maria and Sophia, who understand English and Spanish perfectly. He says they prefer to speak English, but on occasion a Spanish word slips out.
The staff at Capital Electric enjoys Louis’ easy laugh and eager offer to help. Members, if you see Louis at the co-op updating a computer or biking a trail with his family around town, please congratulate him for adding IT specialist at Capital Electric to his diverse career. ¡Bienvenido a tu familia la co-op, Louis!