David Falls (B.S. ’95)

Position: Lead release technician for Microsoft, David is responsible for testing each of the technology giant’s products before they hit the market. Everything from the latest version of the Windows operating system to XBox video games must pass through his department before it can be sold.

Work Philosophy: David thrives under the pressure; he has never taken a sick day or even come in late. “I love what I do,” he says. “I wouldn’t want to miss a minute of it.” In the year Windows 95 came out, David took one day off–Christmas. Some would say he’s crazy, but he views it another way: “I have great passion for what I do. Where else can I touch millions of people’s lives?”

Lights, Camera… If you picture a computer geek hidden away in an office for hours at a time, you’re absolutely right. But David does come out to play whenever Microsoft needs a ham to step in front of the camera. He was one of the first to sign up and pose for the company’s handbook. Since then, he has been featured in several Microsoft commercials and left the office long enough to win a role as an extra on the remake of the popular television show, The Fugitive.

NYIT’s Impact: David started at Microsoft in 1988 as a software duplicator and realized he was not going to move up the ladder without more education. “Competition was fierce,” he says. “Within two months of earning my NYIT degree, I was promoted. I’m where I want to be because of this college.”