Carlos Acevedo Salgado
Company: Legal Gantt
Title: Chief Technical Officer (CTO)
Age: 25
Hometown: Elizabethtown
Resides (city or neighborhood): Louisville
Education history: John Hardin High School, University of Louisville BSBA in computer informational systems
Hobbies: I like to take walks with my two dogs, and play video games like Battlefield 4, Call of Duty Modern Warfare and For Honor. I also like to exercise. A few months after the pandemic started, I bought gym equipment so now I can work out at any hour of the day.
Favorite tech gadget: My phone — Galaxy Note 20
How did you get into the career you have today? I love video games. While playing an MMORPG [Massively multiplayer online game], I got curious about ways to create gear for my online character. I researched the best programming language to learn at the time which was C++. While learning I noticed that I would spend hours every day trying to figure out how to create my first program without getting tired — something that only video games were able to accomplish. Since then, I knew that programming was on the top of my list for careers. When I got to college, I went undecided to narrow down my options. I had a conversation with my advisor where I expressed my interest in business and programming. She mentioned that CIS is a computer programming route, but in the business school, which would be a perfect fit. Interestingly enough, my junior year in college I decided to go to the World Fest downtown. While waiting for some friends to arrive, I stopped next to a beautiful building. I didn't know what company it was, but I said to myself, “I would like to work at a place like this.” Then I read the sign on the building — LG&E. That’s when I decided to apply for their intern program and how I got into the career I have today.
What’s one thing Louisville can do to improve its tech and/or startup ecosystem? To have more presence in universities and high schools. It would have been very helpful to me to learn about the different programs and services they provide to help with startups.
Who has been one of your top mentors? Why? My brother Xavier Acevedo because he taught me everything I know, from the love of movies, video games, technology, and cars to how to be a compassionate and resilient person. He has taught me right from wrong and provided me with the knowledge and support to accomplish my dreams. I aspire to be like him.
What’s your best piece of advice for companies and individuals looking to be more innovative and disruptive in their fields? First, I would say to focus on the main problem. Second, to look at the big picture of how your company solves that problem. Third, never stop improving while keeping in mind the first two.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? To have bought a house right after finishing college. I was the first person in my immediate family to go to college, I was also the first one to purchase a house. We always rented and everywhere we lived it never felt like home, so thanks to my mother and brother’s sacrifice, I was able to purchase my first home.
What innovative company (other than your own) do you admire and why? Amazon because one day I would like to also change the lives of millions of people in the same way that Amazon changed the way people shop.
