Rick Spurgeon
About Rick Spurgeon
Rick Spurgeon is a Principal Developer Advocate at Kong Inc., specializing in developer relations within the developer tool space. With over 20 years of experience in software architecture and development, he has a strong background in the financial technology sector.
Work at Kong
Rick Spurgeon has been serving as the Principal Developer Advocate at Kong Inc. since 2022. In this role, he focuses on enhancing developer relations within the developer tool space. His responsibilities include advocating for developers' needs and promoting the use of Kong's products and services. His extensive experience in software architecture and development informs his approach to fostering a strong developer community.
Education and Expertise
Rick Spurgeon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a focus on Management Information Systems from Kansas State University, completing his studies from 1993 to 1997. His educational background supports his strong foundation in software architecture and development, particularly in the financial technology sector. He specializes in developer relations, leveraging his knowledge to connect with and support developers effectively.
Background
Rick Spurgeon has over 20 years of experience in software development, primarily in the FinTech, Electronic Trading, and Event Stream Processing industries. He has held various roles throughout his career, including positions at Trading Technologies, DV Trading LLC, Citadel LLC, and Confluent. His diverse background in software engineering and architecture has equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate complex financial technology environments.
Professional Experience
Rick Spurgeon's career includes significant roles at several prominent companies. He worked at Trading Technologies as a Software Engineer and later as a Trader focusing on Exchange Connectivity. He served as Head of Software Architecture and Trader at DV Trading LLC. Additionally, he held the position of Lead Developer at Citadel LLC and worked as an Integration Architect at Confluent. His varied roles reflect his adaptability and expertise in the financial technology landscape.
Career Progression
Rick Spurgeon's career progression showcases a steady advancement through various technical and leadership roles. After starting as a Software Engineer at Trading Technologies, he transitioned to roles with increasing responsibility, including Head of Software Architecture at DV Trading LLC and Integration Architect at Confluent. His current position as Principal Developer Advocate at Kong Inc. represents the culmination of his extensive experience in software development and developer relations.