About Jeff Kershner
From Code Magazine Kid to AI Pioneer
Hi, I'm Jeff Kershner, and I've been writing software for over 25 years—but my love affair with code started much earlier.
At 10 years old, I was that kid hanging around local computer stores, copying C code from magazines to create tiny text-based games. When I finally got my hands on Microsoft Visual C++, I dove headfirst into WINAPI and MFC, building everything from amortization calculators to simple games that I'd proudly share with friends. Even then, I knew I'd found my calling.
The Plot Twist That Changed Everything
Life had other plans initially. In 1996, I headed to SUNY Fredonia for a music education degree. But halfway through my first semester, I got into a heated argument with my music theory professor about naming chord progressions by function rather than spelling. I was so frustrated that I stormed out and switched my major to Computer Science. Looking back, I really wish I could thank that professor—that argument launched my entire career.
The Journey West
After graduating in 2000 with a double major in Math and Computer Science, I made what might have been the boldest (or most foolish) decision of my life: I moved from Buffalo, NY to Phoenix, AZ with no money, no car, and no job. I spent weeks dropping my resume anywhere that would take it.
Eventually, I turned down several offers to accept a $10/hour internship at a local video game development house. Plot twist: instead of working on games, I spent three months writing business applications. But it was worth it—that internship led to my next opportunity at another game company where I finally got to write real game engine software. I was so passionate about the work that I'd put in 80-100 hours a week in the office. Unfortunately, passion doesn't pay the bills, and the company ran out of money.
The Big Break
Next came nine months at a AAA game company in Laguna Beach, CA, working around the clock until launch. It was intense, exhausting, and absolutely the best time ever. I met incredible people and learned what it meant to ship software that millions would experience.
Building a Diverse Portfolio
My career then took me through fascinating chapters: five years writing simulation software for the government to help train pilots, followed by a decade at the world's largest domain name registrar, where I built business intelligence software that tracked company financials.
Craving independence, I moved to Houston, TX to freelance. This period taught me versatility—I wrote software for a smart retail company, a medical billing company, and even created applications still running on oil rigs today.
The AI Chapter
Los Angeles called next, where I worked for an online reservation company before co-founding RadiusAI, Inc., where I serve as Director of Engineering. We're using AI and computer vision to revolutionize the checkout process, and our software and hardware are currently deployed in over 1,000 stores across the United States.
Always Learning
Throughout my career, I've worked with over a dozen programming languages and more frameworks than I can count. I keep my skills sharp through daily learning, and today my go-to tech stack includes React, Next.js, SQL, and Python. I have an unhealthy obsession with cloud hosting providers like Azure, AWS, Vercel and I even run my own small web hosting company called Doory Web Solutions.
What drives me isn't just solving problems—it's the thrill of turning ideas into reality, whether that's a simple calculator shared with friends or AI software transforming how people shop. Every line of code is an opportunity to make something better.
Check out some of my online tools: SpinnerMonkey and OpinionGrab. These were 2 tools built with NextJS that I used to help teach web development to friends.