Meet Sally Seaver Shabaka

While still in high school, Sally gained an introduction to computer technology from her father, a software engineer. These first experiences involved mini-computers—the first departure from mainframes—and the PICK operating system which provided the first portable database. From these early days and later experience, Sally believes she has insight into   how computers think. She understands what is easy for them and what is hard; she understands how they organize information. Maybe there is something in the family genes, because her brother works as a professional software developer for GE Healthcare Systems. He provides Sally with a resource for programming trends, perspective and moral support.

After graduating from UC Irvine with formal computer programming training, and bachelor degrees in Physics (1988), Math (1988), and Social Science (1986), Sally gained 10 years of business experience working for companies like Digital Equipment Corp [DEC], AT&T Computer Systems, ADP, and Fidelity Investments. She further gained 5 years of experience related to marketing communication working at a design studio, Fidelity Investments Retail Marketing Co, and MFS Investment Management. At MFS Investment Management, Sally’s skills with computer technology made a strong showing. (She achieved the Unsung Hero’s Award for work on a variable data publishing project.)

In order to be even more productive with projects that involved marketing, graphic design production, and technical problem-solving, she founded Active Lightning in March of 2001.

Sally works with clients to identify the functionality and/or design direction that the client wants. She pulls together the team for the project, collaborates with the team, sometimes participates in production, and oversees the whole project including the testing to completion stage.

In 2007, Sally made the decision to have Active Lightning focus more on e-commerce. She founded Egyptian Cotton T-shirts LLC in January: a) to take advantage of what she had learned from her clients, b) to gain an even better understanding of e-commerce, and c) to be a proving ground for online marketing strategies.

Sally is a certified producer for TV studio and field production through Boston Neighborhood Network. While completing her certification, she completed a well-received documentary.

Sally's work as an independent scholar is very important to her, even though she does not get to work on it much these days. The work is presented at www.placeofunderstanding.us. These days, the demands of Active Lightning and Egyptian Cotton Tshirts are so strong that Sally feels fortunate if she can just keep up with personal maintenance—attending to exercise (walking), prayer, and Bible study—feeding the birds, watering the plants and spending short quality time with her husband.