Team Member

A retired Professor of Computer Science from the University of Minnesota (North Hennepin Campus – Go, Norsemen!), Michael has been a high-level practitioner of the “dark computer arts” for over three decades. As our Chief Technology Officer, he is the grand architect of our technical vision, overseeing everything from global information security to the strategic procurement of the hardware that powers our research.

The Technical Shepherd

Michael’s career is a masterclass in versatility. He has built ticketing systems for racing venues, developed mobile apps back when “Snake” was the pinnacle of mobile gaming, and authored the software that controls national power grids. Today, he manages the complex technical solutions that underpin our veterinary epidemiological work, ensuring our data systems are as resilient as the populations we study.

His leadership extends across a diverse global herd of Information System staff. including Ryan, Rachel, Garry, Sheraz, Pooja, Priyanka, Rachelle, Jatin, and Ngan. Under his guidance, this team maintains the delicate balance of system architecture, staff management, and the high-level infrastructure that keeps our digital ecosystem running at peak performance.

Builder of Worlds (Real and Digital)

Michael’s penchant for building transcends the digital realm, often blurring the lines between technical design and physical craftsmanship. While he once raised seven children as a single father and dabbled as a restaurateur and filmmaker, his current hours away from the server room are dedicated to precision 3D design, modeling, and carpentry. He is just as comfortable working with physical timber and structural blueprints as he is with digital logic.

This talent for “world-building” naturally extends into his recreational life; whether he is drafting a 3D model for a new workshop project or navigating a complex campaign of Dungeons & Dragons, Michael thrives in environments governed by intricate rules and creative problem-solving. It turns out that managing a party of adventurers through a dungeon isn’t entirely dissimilar to orchestrating a global software rollout. both require a steady hand, a strategic mind, and the creative ability to handle the occasional “critical roll” of a server outage.

Life at Home

The household guard at the Riecken residence is currently overseen by Cartier, a Ragdoll cat. Much like the breed’s famous temperament, Cartier provides a touch of zen to Michael’s busy schedule, though, in a company full of veterinary specialists, we all know the cat is likely the true “Chief” of the household.