Rich Tabor

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An unexpected conversation with a thoughtful guy who is precise with everything he touches.

The interview begins by introducing Rich Tabor, a musician and designer who shares his journey of picking up the electric guitar, which started from playing the acoustic guitar during his college years as a way to connect with a friend and explore creativity. Over time, he's developed a deep appreciation for music, particularly inspired by bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers. Rich discusses his versatility in playing other instruments such as the piano and drums, and gives insights into his musical influences.

The narrative then shifts to Rich's personal background, detailing his upbringing as a child of a military family and his frequent relocations along the East coast of the United States. This instilled in him a love for moving and turning new places into homes, a theme that resonates both in his personal and professional life. Rich met his wife in college and their relationship evolved over time, with an eventual reunion in Georgia after Rich had spent some years in New York City working in the tech industry.

Rich delves into his academic history, starting in physics and engineering before switching to art marketing and business management. Though he struggled with traditional education, he spent significant time teaching himself design tools like Photoshop. This self-driven exploration paved the way for his career in the WordPress community, where he initially engaged through blogging and later developed themes and plugins to enhance the platform's capabilities.

In his professional life, Rich serves as a product manager for WordPress, focusing on aligning contributors to modernize and push the project forward. He emphasizes the importance of user experience beyond aesthetics, advocating for designs that support user goals. Rich shares a touching anecdote about involving his daughters in his work, showing how they have already contributed to WordPress projects, exemplifying the integration of his professional and family life.

Rich also touches on his recent travels to Tokyo, planning to bring his family along for future trips. He reflects on the rich tapestry of life experiences that include playing softball for social connection, and his sense of community within the WordPress ecosystem. The interview closes with Rich recommending fellow WordPress contributor Anne McCarthy for a future interview, highlighting her ability to connect people within the community.