---
title: "Team Q&A: Zachary Menefee – Junior Software Developer"
id: "3427"
type: "post"
slug: "team-qa-zachary-menefee-junior-software-developer"
published_at: "2023-02-03T14:00:51+00:00"
modified_at: "2024-09-06T19:00:06+00:00"
url: "https://virtual-peaker.com/blog/team-qa-zachary-menefee-junior-software-developer/"
markdown_url: "https://virtual-peaker.com/blog/team-qa-zachary-menefee-junior-software-developer.md"
excerpt: "From helping develop our outstanding software to his personal sustainability efforts, Zachary Menefee wants a greener tomorrow. One of our […]"
taxonomy_category:
  - "Culture"
---

Culture

# Team Q&A: Zachary Menefee – Junior Software Developer

[Bill Burke Published Feb 3, 2023](https://virtual-peaker.com/author/bill-burke/)

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From helping develop our outstanding software to his personal sustainability efforts, Zachary Menefee wants a greener tomorrow. One of our [Code Louisville recruits](https://louisvilleky.gov/news/code-louisville-celebrates-placing-750-graduates-technology-careers-15000-hours-donated)
, Zachary works diligently as a Junior Software Developer. Join us in welcoming Zachary to the Virtual Peaker team!

## How did your previous life prepare you for Virtual Peaker?

In my previous life, I coded during college and interned for a [SaaS company](https://virtual-peaker.com/blog/saas-solutions-to-modernize-the-grid/)
; however, my last job was working as an English teacher in Vietnam. Teaching taught me plenty about the process of learning; I learned how to structure information and plan in particular. Additionally, teaching requires a large degree of improvisation and adaptation, skills that are necessaryfor a good software developer.

When I came back to the United States, I decided to transition to development to continue to improve the skills that teaching helped me develop. Thereafter, I enrolled in [Code Louisville](https://www.codelouisville.org/)
 where I learned to take development from a hobby to a career.

To me, development is an art and a trade, one which requires constant learning and adaptation. When you code, you are shackled to the computer and have to express your ideas succinctly and systematically. Teaching and Code Louisville taught me the skills necessary to help contribute to Virtual Peaker’s mission and provided me with the mentoring necessary to apply to Virtual Peaker. Virtual Peaker took me in as an intern and helped develop my talents even further.

## Tell us about your role at Virtual Peaker.

My current role is as a junior software developer who is currently working in our [Shift DERMS suite](https://virtual-peaker.com/platform/derms-suite/)
. While I work with both the front-end and back-end of our application, my work tends to be primarily focused on our backend applications that help the utility app function. Recently, I have been working to actively improve how our system handles interactions with our [OEM providers](https://virtual-peaker.com/partners/device-partners/)
.

My position has helped focus my development efforts. The software engineering team provides a community of learning and support that helps me continually push myself. As well, Virtual Peaker’s mission provides me with the motivation to produce quality software that can make a difference.

## How do you personally engage in sustainability efforts?

Since I started working at Virtual Peaker in particular I have focused heavily on learning more about sustainability. To this end, one of my co-workers has provided me with a lot of recommendations on resources to learn more about sustainability. As a result, I have lowered my general consumption of goods, tried to decrease my general waste, and increased the amount that I recycle and compost. In addition to what I am trying to do personally to engage with sustainability efforts, I also participate in the sustainability council at Virtual Peaker helping to coordinate and move the company toward our sustainability and community outreach goals.

## What can you tell us about yourself?

In my free time, I have a lot of activities that I like to pursue. I’m a fairly active person who enjoys hiking and long-distance running in particular. I love spending time with animals and playing with my dog. As well, I have an interest in film, both film photography, and cinema.

Specifically, I am incredibly interested in [grindhouse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grindhouse_(film))
 cinema from the United States and around the world. I find the taboo nature of a lot of films released in grindhouse cinemas to be interesting as well as the social commentary that exists within some of them. I also read a lot of non-fiction related to history and am particularly interested in the post-colonial history of North Africa.

### Come work with us to help change the world!

[Join Our Team](https://virtual-peaker.com/company/careers/)

About The Author

[https://virtual-peaker.com/author/bill-burke/](https://virtual-peaker.com/author/bill-burke/)
Bill is a serial entrepreneur with a PhD from UC Berkeley in Controls and Artificial Intelligence and 10 years of experience with high performance residential energy management and connected appliances. He was previously at GE as an Advanced Systems Engineer in the Connected Home Software Group, but left that role in May 2014 to pursue entrepreneurship full time.

Bill grew up in Louisville and returned with his family in 2010 after a long stint in the San Francisco Bay Area. He loves Louisville and is working to make it a better and more attractive city for high tech startups.

[More About Bill](https://virtual-peaker.com/author/bill-burke/)

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