Corey Haines started programming at the age of 10, on a computer his father (also a programmer) bought for him. He played lots of computer games, and when he couldn't win the games, he learned to read the source code and edit the outcome. These "winning games" were his first software programs. He continued to hack, grew up, and began working as a professional software developer

After 12 years of coding for money, Corey said: "Enough!" — and went on a year-long, Journeyman pair-programming tour. Traveling the world, coding for room and board, he spent his time teaching, learning, and living. Imagine a bee that cross pollinates software knowledge instead of flowers; that bee was Corey. And instead of wings, he had a little red car.

Since that tour ended in 2009, Corey has focused his attention on helping developers improve their fundamental software design skills through the use of focused-practice events, such as coderetreat. He also consults for business owners, helping them get the most value out of their software strategies. When not on the road, he spends his time building projects and products.

^ Top

Corey is an internationally recognized speaker. His areas of expertise are coding practices and Software Craftsmanship. He often gets invited to keynote, as his sunny outlook, broad knowledge of the industry, and random pictures of falling cows and sleeping cats make him a shoo-in to inspire and grow the community.

^ Top

When you want to hone your craft, or build your team, bring in Corey Haines. Corey is a natural teacher with hands-on professional experience in many different programming languages. He brings a high-level understanding of how to design and build simple, maintainable software. Corey was one of the pioneers of the Code Retreat format as well as other custom curriculums focused on TDD and software design.

^ Top

Corey's passion is building community, connecting people, and helping people develop their skills. Whether he's organizing Code Retreats, sitting at a Code and Coffee, connecting people from different businesses, or pair programming with someone, he is always at the hub of a group, and focused on bringing people together.

Corey often starts his sentences with "What if....", and his friends & colleagues have come to recognize this as the start of a new idea that sounds a little nuts, but turns out awesome. In 2009, Corey convinced the owners of two software consultancies to get together and share business practices — as well as employees — with each other. This experiment landed these companies on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. It also built trust, and by 2010, this community was made up of seven companies that all shared similar values. In 2011, Corey culminates 3 years of Code Retreat practice with a global event that brings together developers from over 80 cities around the world, called Global Day of Code Retreat.

^ Top

While Corey was on his pair programming tour, he recorded a series of video interviews: the "How I Got Started in Programming" video series. These feature in-depth conversations with software masters and beginners alike, as they share their stories of getting into code. In 2010, he coordinated a video series called "KataCasts", which showed developers coding on common problems (with amazing soundtracks, as well).

In 2011, Corey and his partner have focused on building web applications. Their first application, MercuryApp, is a life-tracking journal that helps people reflect on their lives and make better decisions. Their second, Slottd.com, is a tool that makes it easy for people to schedule time to share expertise with one another.