Catching up along the way

Although this blog has set silent for several years, and Dara and I have traveled along many ways in the ensuing years, it is going to be reawakened as the official communication channel for at least the next few milestones in our journey.

Perhaps a bit of an explanation. 

On June 1st, I retired from an amazing and rewarding career in software development. I spent nine years working for Amazon.com. I changed roles from a software engineer/architect to a senior technical program manager. 

Starting in August of 2017, I was in SSP (Sortation Services and Products) - a team responsible for the software that moves your Amazon orders through sortation centers and onto the airplanes and trucks that deliver it to your door. I got to work with Amazon Robotics, Amazon Air, and do some amazing things like help launch the first robotic sortation facility, and the first air sortation facility in the Amazon network. I met many great people from around the world. 

In June of 2019, I moved over to Amazon Prime Video and worked with an (initially) small team that was responsible for "Linear Metadata". That team was called Lime (Linear Metadata) initially, then LINX (Linear Experience), then LCX (Linear Catalog and Experience) to reflect its growth and expanded responsibilities covering all aspects of linear discovery and presentation. If this sounds confusing, just think "live television" delivered on Prime video, across all its devices, worldwide. While I'm really proud of what we accomplished in LINX (always LINX in my heart), when it was decided that the team would be rolled into the (much) larger Prime Video Sports team, I felt that my work was accomplished there.

So, June 1st, 2026, I retired, leaving Amazon and software development after following that passion from the time I was in 7th grade through a career that gave me a front seat in an industry that was nothing short of a revolution. With the advent of AI, that revolution continues in ways that are still to be seen. 

In any case, after a few months of travel to visit family, the capitols of three nations, and lots of projects around our lovely home, Dara and I decided to apply to serve as full-time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

Dear reader; this blog will become the communication channel that Elder and Sister Wells use to share our experience as missionaries with our family and friends.