TotallyRadCAD.com: All things CAD & Totally Rad by Michael Donovan

About Michael Donovan
In early 1987 I enrolled in a drafting class at "Sarasota Vo-Tech" with my mind set on becoming an Architectural Draftsman. I enjoyed old school hand drafting and was really looking forward to that being my career.

In September of 1988 I was introduced to "AutoCAD Release 9". It was love at first site. I spent every waking minute for the next year teaching myself "AutoCAD" and showing my interested classmates how to do what I was learning. While at Sarasota Vo-Tech I enrolled in "V.I.C.A." organization. I competed in "V.I.C.A" AutoCAD competitions' finishing in first place for my region in "1989" & "1990" and finished third in the state of Florida in "1990"

Between 1989 and 1991 I worked for several different companies doing residential CAD drafting. I was the only CAD draftsman on staff at these companies and would basically transpose hand drawn home designs into "AutoCAD" and train existing staff how to use "AutoCAD".

In September of 1991 I got my dream job. I was hired by an AutoCAD reseller "CADCENTER" located in Bradenton, FL. I started out doing technical support and training. When I left "CADCENTER" in 1997 I was "Vice President of Operations" and literally did every job short of accounting.

In 1997 I started my own business selling computer hardware and "Microsoft" networking solutions to Architects, Engineers and Day Traders. I became an authorized "Kinetix" dealer and did sales, training and support for "3D Studio Max" and "3D Studio VIZ".

In 2000 I shut down my computer business and got back to my roots. I started a residential drafting business. I designed custom homes for local builders and home owners then produced construction documents for permits.

In May of 2006 I realized that the housing boom was about to end. In December of 2006 I moved to Las Vegas, NV and continued to finish all projects I started in Florida.

In October of 2007 I accepted a job offer to work for a commercial framing and theme construction contractor by the name of "KHS&S Contractors". I was the pioneer that took them into the world of 3D Modeling. I created the initial procedures for creating 3D models and producing construction documents from 3D models.

Today I am excited for my future. I have the freedom to once again work with clients that can benefit from my expertise. I am so thankful for "KHS&S Contractors" for reenergizing my career and allowing me the opportunity to gain expertise in commercial construction and develop BIM modeling techniques to offer my clients