Who’s Who Geek Edition: Ashley Huffman

I decided to do a set of mini interviews with people I’ve interacted with and have extraordinary backgrounds. Many I’ve met via Facebook and many I’ll meet when I attend SDCC for the first time this July. Next up is tech lover, Ashley Huffman!

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Name: Ashley Huffman
Online Handle: @chick_tech
Site: facebook.com/ashhuffman or www.chicktech.com
Age: Water Dog – Virgo
Fave cartoon – Super Woman (kind of have a comic collection/problem) and Astro Boy.
Fave movie – Crimson Tide (I have a thing for submarines)
Fave book – The Bible. Not so much sci-fi but full of adventure.
Fave TV show  If it’s educational, I will watch it. I absolutely love BBC Documentaries and the geeky stuff they do on Discovery Channel and Space.  My Achilles heel is the old school TV show La Femme Nikita (not the new one!)
Fave game  – Just one? Here’s my top four:  1) Wow 2) C&C Red Alert  3) Magic the Gathering  4) Nightmare (Atmosfear series)

L: Let’s first take a few moments and talk a little about ChickTech. You wanted to start a site that focused on the more “geek” side of a girl than the “girl” side. Was there a specific event that spurred you to act on this idea and create the site?

AH: Well I grew up around a brother and all boy cousins so I love dirt and dresses.  As an adult geek, I found myself searching for a blog I could relate to, aka geeky stuff but without all the naked ladies, fashion and gossip. IMO gossip is bad for your health, much like a lot of mainstream TV.  I grew up with it, so trust me I know.  So, I set out to create ChickTech.com. My goal is to share good ideas, be funny, and set a good example for other girls. I say be pretty, but let the most important part about you be your inner geek.

L: That’s a great message to get out to girls. Now, I’m not particularly tech savvy so is there any advice you’d give someone like me if we needed some sort of gadgetry?

AH: I think in this day and age if you do not have a smart phone you might be legally insane. Sorry mom! In geek terms, it’s like saying you don’t want to be Doctor Who or Inspector Gadget. Really? It does everything, there’s really no excuse.

On that note, don’t get all your smart phone application ideas from just big tech websites. Look for what you need, and see what people are actually saying about it on small blogs. You’ll stumble upon the most amazing things.

L: Since you seem constantly doing something amazingly cool, what kind of projects do you have in the works?

AH: Wow, I need that recorded as my text tone. *smile*  I definitely keep busy! I’m working with some amazing ladies in Portland, Oregon right now. They’re creating a series of special events to introduce girls to the geekiest of all technology careers, like robotics, computer science and engineering.  It’s oddly enough called ChickTech.org. The founder contacted me after searching my blog name and told me about the project. She asked if it would be okay to use the name, and ever since I’ve joined their team to help make these events rock. They’re looking for more geek mentors, sponsors and volunteers.  So if you’re in the area, contact them.
I’m also a PR mentor for a very awesome tech startup incubator in Toronto called INcubes.  During my so called free time I write for blogs I love, including Cultureshock.com and ITbusiness.ca. I love geeks and startups. That’s just my thing.  I also rep for the Nanodots guys when I can, cause that stuff is just cool! My Twitter buddy @BradMcCarty said it best “LEGO is child’s play. Real geeks build with Nanodots.” I’m fully addicted.

L: Everyone has a science fiction property that means the world to them, be it Star Wars, Back to the Future, or even E.T. What’s yours?

AH: I grew up with some of the coolest TV shows including Twilight Zone and The Thunderbirds, but one of my biggest influencers was the movie Gattaca. I like it the most because I could see it coming true.

L: In all your adventures, you’ve undoubtedly rubbed elbows with some people of celebrity stature. Is there anyone who has you star struck at the moment, be it for their contributions online or in real life?

AH: Yes! Definitely Guy Kawasaki. I’ve had the pleasure of personally meeting him and seeing him speak at a MIT/Stanford Venture Lab event. The man is an absolute marketing genius and all around nice guy.

L: I ask this question of everyone, so be honest: If aliens landed in front of you and, in exchange for anything you desire, offered you any position on their planet, what position would you want? I know I’d crap my pants.

AH: Shoot first, take names. Kidding! I said that only so my brother would like reading this. I’d ask to be their ambassador to other planets and galaxies.

To see more from Ashley, please check out ChickTech.org!