Greg Blake

Greg Blake

Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Administration, Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Boise, Idaho. Formerly President, Yellowstone Technologies, Inc.

Home. Mountains, pines, and the people and animals I love.

Idaho

Home. Mountains, pines, and the people and animals I love.

Idaho

About Greg

From soaring through the skies as a pilot to diving deep into the world of artificial intelligence, I've always been driven by an insatiable curiosity and a desire to make a positive impact.

By day I'm the Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Administration at Idaho Housing and Finance Association in Boise. My work covers artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, IT governance and, honestly, all things technology. Earlier in my career I was President of Yellowstone Technologies, Inc.

Growing up during the Baby Boom era, I was influenced by the optimism and sense of possibility that defined my generation. That led me to a career in technology, and before that aviation, where I had the privilege of seeing our planet from new heights.

As a developer and cybersecurity guru, I've combined my love of technology with my passion for protecting others. In an ever-changing digital landscape it's more important than ever to keep our communities secure and thriving.

But there's more to me than code and cryptography. As a Christian, I believe in the power of faith to transform lives and bring people together. My beloved animals have taught me loyalty, compassion, and the importance of living in the present moment.

Through it all I've been blessed with an incredible partner by my side: my wife, who has stood with me for over 40 years, offering love, support, and encouragement as we've navigated life's ups and downs together.

Looking ahead, I'm excited to see what new adventures await, whether they're related to AI, cybersecurity, aviation, or simply exploring the world with my loved ones.

Idaho

Contact

Warning: don't bother trying to reach out to me! I'm like a digital hermit, living in a cave of code and cat videos. My email's probably too full, my phone's got more dust than the Sahara, and my social media accounts are so neglected they're starting to think I'm a ghost.

Unless you're a spam bot or a really persistent cat looking for its human servant, just leave me be in my digital bubble of chaos and confusion. Trust me, your sanity will thank you.

However, you can check out my GitHub, or find me on LinkedIn and X.

Idaho

Furry Friends

From my childhood pets to the furry friends I've rescued over the years, animals have been part of every chapter of my life.

They've taught me about loyalty, compassion, and the importance of living in the present moment. No matter how the markets moved or what the servers were doing, a wagging tail or a purring cat has a way of putting everything in perspective.

Animal welfare matters to me. Every rescue has a story, and every one of them made our home a little fuller.

Information Technology

The Chief Information Officer's office: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and code, all under one roof.

Artificial Intelligence

The Future Is Now

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at an exponential rate, it's poised to revolutionize the way we live, work, and interact with one another.

AI will become an integral part of daily life: automating mundane tasks, augmenting human decision-making, and transforming industries like healthcare, finance, and education. AI-powered diagnostic tools will help doctors detect disease earlier, and virtual assistants will anticipate our needs.

As AI takes over routine tasks, people will be freed to focus on creativity, innovation, and high-value problem-solving. The future looks brighter than ever, but it also demands careful consideration of the ethical implications of this transformation.

I run my own AI system, Nigel, on local hardware.

Cybersecurity

The Digital Frontier

In an era where our lives are increasingly intertwined with technology, cybersecurity stands as the silent guardian of the digital world. My passion for information security spans the full spectrum, from network defense and threat hunting to penetration testing and vulnerability research.

Understanding both sides of the equation, offense and defense, is what makes a well-rounded security professional. Every system has a story, and every vulnerability teaches us something new about the assumptions we make.

The only truly secure system is one that is powered off, cast in a block of concrete, and sealed in a lead-lined room with armed guards.Gene Spafford

Whether it's analyzing network traffic for anomalies, hardening infrastructure against emerging threats, or exploring the ever-evolving landscape of cyber warfare, cybersecurity demands constant learning and adaptation.

Security is always excessive until it's not enough.Robbie Sinclair
Software Engineering

The Workshop

Every site is a craft project. This one is no exception: a hand-built three.js world written in plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript with no build step, with a 1970s motorcycle riding through it.

It's served by Nginx running in Docker on my own machine, and reaches the internet through a Cloudflare Tunnel, so there are no open ports on the firewall.

Want to see more of the code? It's all on GitHub.

Aviation

Soloed at 16. Licensed by 17.

Aviation

My Aviation Story

Swearingen SA-227AC Metro III N638AV of Wings West Airlines, flying as American Eagle. Orange County Airport, 1986.
Swearingen SA-227AC Metro III N638AV of Wings West Airlines, flying as American Eagle. Orange County Airport, 1986. Photo: RuthAS, CC BY 3.0.

Welcome to my world of aviation! I started in aviation over 40 years ago and had the privilege of soaring through the skies in Fairchilds, Pipers, Beechcrafts, and Cessnas. My passion for flying began at a young age: I soloed at 16 and obtained my licenses by 17.

Over the decades I flew across different eras, from the 1970s to the 1990s, accumulating a wealth of knowledge and skills along the way.

Among the Fairchilds is the Swearingen Metroliner, the sleek twin turboprop commuter airliner flown by regional carriers like Wings West Airlines, which operated it as American Eagle out of California.

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.Amelia Earhart
Fairchild SA-227AC Metro III in American Eagle / Wings West Airlines colors.
Fairchild SA-227AC Metro III in American Eagle / Wings West Airlines colors. Photo: Eduard Marmet, CC BY-SA 3.0.

As an aviation enthusiast, I'm excited to share my experiences, insights, and perspectives. Whether it's exploring new destinations, flying techniques, or simply reliving the thrill of takeoff, I invite you to join me on this journey.

Aviation is proof that given the will, you can achieve the impossible.Frank Whittle

Astronomy

Dark skies over the tallest dune in North America.

Astronomy

The Night Sky

After decades of looking down at the world from a cockpit, it's only natural to keep looking up. Space, telescopes, and the slow wheel of the stars across a dark sky never get old.

Take a spin through the solar system I built in three.js: zoom in, rotate, and enjoy.

Classic Cars

The cars we drove as young men stay with us forever.

Classic Cars

The Collection

There's nothing quite like the rumble of a big-block V-8, the gleam of chrome under streetlights, and the unmistakable silhouette of American iron from the golden age of muscle. These are the cars that shaped a generation, and the ones I was lucky enough to call mine.

The cars we drove as young men stay with us forever, not as machines, but as memories.
1969

Mercury Cougar

1969 Mercury Cougar.
1969 Mercury Cougar. Photo: GPS 56, CC BY 2.0.

Mercury's upscale take on the pony car, the '69 Cougar featured hidden headlights, sequential taillights, and a longer, wider body than its Mustang sibling, plus the legendary Eliminator package with Boss 302 and 428 Cobra Jet engine options.

1969

Ford Galaxie 500

1969 Ford Galaxie 500 two-door hardtop.
1969 Ford Galaxie 500 two-door hardtop. Photo: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0.

1969 was the last model year for Galaxie convertibles, making these big, luxurious cruisers especially collectible today. Available with up to a 390 V-8, the Galaxie 500 represented the peak of Ford's full-size, Space Race-inspired nameplate.

1965

Ford Fairlane 500

1965 Ford Fairlane 500.
1965 Ford Fairlane 500. Photo: Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Ford's mid-size workhorse got a handsome restyling for 1965 with sculpted new sheetmetal and an optional V-8, bridging the gap between the compact Falcon and the full-size Galaxie: affordable, versatile, and available with real performance.

1965

Dodge Dart

1965 Dodge Dart convertible.
1965 Dodge Dart convertible. Photo: Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0.

The '65 Dart received its first real facelift with a bolder flat grille, new bumpers, and oval taillights, while remaining Chrysler's reliable and affordable compact, available with everything from the bulletproof Slant Six to a 235-hp 273 V-8.

1972

Dodge Colt

First-generation Dodge Colt (a 1973, same body as the '72).
First-generation Dodge Colt (a 1973, same body as the '72). Photo: Kabu Sawsaw, CC BY-SA 4.0.

A rebadged Mitsubishi Galant sold through Dodge dealers, the Colt was Chrysler's answer to the Vega and Pinto: a nimble rear-wheel-drive subcompact with a peppy 1.6-liter four, and one of the earliest successful Japanese-American automotive partnerships.

1969

Chevy Camaro SS

Widely regarded as the pinnacle of first-generation Camaro design, the '69 SS featured aggressive restyled bodywork, a muscular hood, and engine options up to the 375-hp 396 big-block V-8.

Old Edge Museum of Shaving

Shave & see the history. Cutthroat competition since 1884.

Antique Razor Collection

Antique Razor Collection

Gillette "Fatboy" adjustable safety razor in its original case.
Gillette "Fatboy" adjustable safety razor in its original case. Photo: Joe Haupt, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Surrounded by my collection of antique razors, I'm reminded that even the most unexpected passions can bring joy and fulfillment.

The Gillette "Fatboy" is a centerpiece of any vintage collection. Made from 1958 to 1961, this twist-to-open adjustable has a dial numbered 1 to 9 that lets you set the blade gap from mild to aggressive, all without taking the razor apart.

Its nickname comes from the chunky, heavy handle that sets it apart from the slimmer adjustables that followed. Like most Gillettes of the era, each one carries a date code on the base plate: E-1 means it was made in the first quarter of 1959.

Ghost Town Stock Exchange

Boom, bust, and the ghosts of bull markets past.

Stock Trading

The Art of Day Trading

The markets are a living, breathing organism: constantly shifting, rewarding the disciplined, and humbling the overconfident. Day trading is where strategy meets instinct.

Day trading isn't gambling. It's a disciplined practice built on technical analysis, risk management, and emotional control. Every trade is a calculated decision based on price action, volume, and market structure.

The tools of the trade have evolved dramatically, from open outcry pits to algorithmic trading and AI-powered analysis. But the fundamentals remain: buy low, sell high, and never risk more than you can afford to lose.

The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.Warren Buffett
In trading, it's not about how much you make, but how much you don't lose.Bernard Baruch

Mammoth Mountain

Fresh snow, blue sky and a chairlift waiting. Time to ski.

Skiing

Skiing the West

Skiing on Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, California, with the Sierra Nevada beyond.
Skiing on Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, California, with the Sierra Nevada beyond. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith (Library of Congress), Public domain.

I love to ski, and I ski as an expert: steeps, chutes, moguls, trees and, best of all, deep powder mornings when the whole mountain is quiet.

Mammoth Mountain is one of my favorites, with its long season, high-altitude snow and big views across the Sierra Nevada. But I have chased good snow all over the West, and every mountain has its own personality.

If you see me on the hill, I'm probably the one heading for first chair.

Pacific Palisades

Sunset in the Palisades: the Village, two grand estates, and Will Rogers State Beach with surfers in the waves.

Surfing

Surfing Southern California

A surfer riding a wave by the Huntington Beach Pier, Southern California.
A surfer riding a wave by the Huntington Beach Pier, Southern California. Photo: Jeremy Bishop (via Unsplash), CC0 1.0.

I'm an avid surfer. There's nothing like paddling out at first light, waiting on the next set, and dropping in on a clean wave with the whole coastline behind you.

I've surfed all over Southern California, up and down the coast from the point breaks north of LA to the beach breaks further south. Every spot has its own mood: some days glassy and gentle, some days big, fast and humbling.

And when the waves go flat, the sunsets along this coast are still hard to beat.

Kwajalein

Kwajalein Atoll: an Army base in the middle of the Pacific. Touch down on Bucholz Army Airfield; missiles launch from here to intercept ICBMs.

Kwajalein Atoll

Kwajalein

Kwajalein Atoll, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, is one of the largest coral atolls in the world: a ring of small islands around a huge turquoise lagoon, thousands of miles from anywhere.

The island of Kwajalein is home to a U.S. Army garrison and the Reagan Test Site, and nearly everyone gets around on a bicycle.

Greg's own Kwajalein story is coming soon.

The ride

Find Greg on linkedin.com/in/greg-blake-7b29a282, x.com/gregwblake, github.com/gblake55.

Thanks

Credits

Inspiration

This site's look and ride were inspired by mola-zone.com, the comic-ink, side-scrolling motorcycle world. Everything here was built from scratch; no mola-zone assets are used.
mola-zone.com

Photos

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, ESO and NASA, used under Creative Commons licenses or in the public domain.

3D models

Free models used with thanks (public-domain CC0, or Creative Commons with credit).

Music