Hi, I’m Rudy Valencia, a lifelong Northern Colorado resident with a passion for technology and how it can transform the way we live, work, and connect. Growing up in a region rich with both natural beauty and innovation, I developed a deep appreciation for hands-on learning and creative problem-solving.
My journey into tech started in the early ‘90s, when my dad brought home a HeadStart Explorer — an 8086 clone with a built-in GUI. From there, I dove into every machine I could get my hands on: thrift store finds, hand-me-downs, and whatever someone was tossing out. By 2001, I’d bought my first PC (a Pentium 4 with Windows XP), and I’ve been building, fixing, and customizing ever since.
Over time, I’ve explored:
- Linux systems and shell scripting
- Web and graphic design fundamentals
- Virtualization and home lab networking
- System administration and domain management
Today, my home lab includes a Proxmox virtualization server running Active Directory for centralized authentication, an Asterisk VoIP server, and a reverse proxy for hosting web services. I also integrate Linux clients into the domain using SSSD, simulating the kind of cross-platform environment found in real-world IT infrastructure. It’s where I expand my skills daily, troubleshoot complex systems, and collaborate remotely with peers.
Outside of tech, I enjoy spending time with friends, listening to music, rolling dice on a custom-built tabletop, and cruising Colorado’s scenic roads.
I’m eager to bring my hands-on experience in virtualization, networking, and systems administration into a professional environment, and to keep building solutions that make a difference.