Peter J. de Blanc

It all started at New York Hospital, November 17, 1944, in The City. My early years were pretty much occupied with working through the entire series of Hugo Gernsback's "Boy Radio Experimenter". My family moved to Niagara Falls, NY, where I attended grade school. My Uncle Leonard, a tinkerer and inventor introduced me to the works of Nikola Tesla, a scientist, inventor, occultist, and pioneer of the use of the AC (Alternating Current) power system we use today. Some of this must have made an impression, because I went on in later life to become a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, (IEEE).

My first real job was at IBM Research and Development labs in East Fishkill, N.Y. This provided a great opportunity to develop a working knowledge of computers. The job was OK, but the working environment was a bit restrictive for my taste.

In 1967 I left IBM and went into business, developing electronic controls for lighting and sound systems. After building several Hullaballoo clubs, a couple of Electric Theatres, several discos, and some recording studios, I ended up in Marin County, California. By now I was seriously into rock and roll technical production, sound, and road shows. Between doing 500 shows for the promoter Bill Graham, mostly in Winterland, San Francisco, I operated a studio and development lab for high end sound systems. In the late 70's the first computer kits came out. Now it was possible to have an entire system on a desktop. This fascinated me even more than rock and roll, so I jumped back in. In 1979 I moved to the Caribbean, and fell in love. Along the way I picked up a Certified Media Specialist certificate from the National Audio Visual Association, (NAVA), and I hold U.S. Federal Communications Commission Commercial (Radiotelephone) and Amateur Extra (WA2AAX) Radio Licenses.

Since living in the Caribbean I served for several years as the UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) Computer and Telecommunications Consultant on design and development missions to Barbados, Montserrat, Trinidad, Antigua, and Guyana.

In 1981 I founded Octagon Consultants Int'l, Inc, a St. Thomas, USVI based network and computer consulting firm. In 1994 I started COBEX, an Internet service provider and Web Publishing business. My community service activities, include serving on the boards of Rotary Club and the Kids and the Sea Foundation.

I am the organizer and founder of the V.I.P. FreeNet, the first community computer system in the Caribbean, and spend a good bit of time promoting the Internet and the Internet Society in the Caribbean via writing and speaking engagements. For relaxation, I play pop and classical music on baroque English recorder.

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