Curtis Farley has been with Orchard for nearly two decades (his twenty year anniversary is coming up in January 2025) and currently works as a Software Test Analyst on our Development team. He likes to tell his friends that he’s, “A crash test dummy for software.” Read our interview below to learn more about Curtis!
What type of work did you do before joining our company?
I worked as a Verification and Validation Tester at Beckman Coulter on their single and dual-head pipetting robots.
What excites you about working at Orchard?
I love working with an awesome team who is quick to help each other out when things get complicated.
What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
I have lots of hobbies. Cycling, reading, playing tournament bridge (but haven’t done that in a while), lots of different kinds of DIY projects on cars and household maintenance, cooking, gardening, studying the Bible. Of course, I’m also watching my girls perform in their orchestras and band competitions. Also, I’m the treasurer for Franklin Central Orchestras. I also follow politics and the business markets.
FOR FUN
What is your biggest achievement to date – personal or professional?
I had a successful marriage for 27.5 years.
Where’s your favorite place in the world?
Probably wherever my family and friends are. Otherwise, the kitchen table, I suppose.
What’s the last book you read?
I’m in the middle of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and I’m remembering why I hated it in high school. Before that, I read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, and 1984 by George Orwell in the past several months.
Favorite sport?
I don’t really watch sports anymore, except to watch my son and daughter-in-law compete at their track events at Indiana Tech.
What’s your secret talent that no one knows about?
I’m a top-flight tournament bridge player, but I haven’t done that in about four years. Other than that, I’m probably a novice or intermediate at car maintenance and house repairs and remodeling.
What is on your bucket list?
I would like to go on a cruise to Alaska as well as the Caribbean. I’d also like to visit each and every state in the union.
What music is on your phone?
Mostly 80s pop and rock, but also some contemporary stuff like Imagine Dragons, Fall Out Boy, and Tom MacDonald. I’m pretty sure I have some Mozart on there as well, along with Queen, Weird Al, Heywood Banks, and some 60s and 70s stuff, too.