Opportunities in Technology
An Interview with Curt Cotner

By Barbara Sorensen

Curt Cotner, Cherokee, was named one of five new IBM Fellows, IBM’s most prestigious technical honor. Cotner is the first Native American and one of only 180 individuals at IBM in the past 41 years to receive this recognition for his stellar work as a technical leader, role model and mentor. Cotner works for the IBM Software Group at the Silicon Valley Laboratories and is chief architect for IBM’s DB2 for z/OS database product, which is the relational database product used to implement many of the world’s largest online transaction systems for banking, credit card, stock brokerage, and insurance firms. Cotner has 32 approved or pending patents to his name. "When you use an ATM or talk to a customer service representative at your bank, there’s a good chance that a DB2 technology that Curt developed is being used behind the scenes," said IBM spokeswoman Michelle McIntyre.

Winds of Change spoke to Cotner about success in the world of technology and how he retains his cultural identity.

WOC: Where did you grow up and what was your schooling like?
Cotner: I came from a humble background. My parents were migrant farm workers. They traveled with the crops. My father was a Labor Union organizer for farm workers. They worked hard so that I could have a better life. I lived in Modesto, California and in high school I excelled in math. It was always my favorite subject. I began my higher education at Modesto Junior College. I worked and went to school. Eventually, I transferred into the University of California at Santa Barbara where I earned a degree in computer science.
While I was a student, I worked for General Electric as a programmer. IBM hired me after graduation in 1978 to work in its then-new IBM Silicon Valley Lab in San Jose. That lab was the first facility in the world built specifically for the development of software. What’s interesting about this building is when it was built, the computers were located in the basement. The heat generated by the computers was used to heat the entire building in the winter.

WOC: Can you describe in "laymen’s" terms what it is you do now?
Cotner: Right now I am working on a technology called "autonomic computing," or a computer that fixes problems automatically without human intervention. For example, if a computer detects that a server has crashed, it knows to either preserve resources or start backing up data or it can start up another server to replace the one that’s crashed. It’s very challenging work.

WOC: Can you explain what it means to be an IBM Fellow?
Cotner: Basically, I have "free rein" to explore and seek out technologies that may have extraordinary potential. I have a staff and we can make up our own technologies with no review process and the freedom to direct where that technology will go. We explore "raw technology," if you want to characterize it as such, and spend as much or as little time on it as possible. IBM Fellows have this freedom because we have a proven track record of developing technology that has benefited the company.

WOC: What does a corporate employer look for in someone seeking to enter a competitive work environment?
Cotner: When I’m interviewing, ultimately I look for someone with a particular attitude; they should have a sort of fire burning. Where they went to school is not a determining factor. I look at many different aspects: grade point average, life choices and experiences, past work record, whether or not that person worked part-time and went to school part-time. I try to discern if there is personal dedication present.

WOC: Would you say that there is still growth in the computer science field?
Cotner: Absolutely. Jobs in the computer sciences will still need to be filled in the United States. There are plenty of opportunities. In fact, task forces have been formed in many corporations, including IBM, to try to generate more students in the areas of technology and computers. We’ve actually never had enough people going into these fields.
Any technological area is a transformative opportunity in terms of monetary benefits that can transition families and individuals into better circumstances. Technology levels the playing field. It opens many, many doors. Basically, you can have your pick of where you want to live and work.

WOC: You are involved with mentoring other Native Americans within your company. Why is this so important?
Cotner: I have always believed I should give back as much as I can. As an active mentor to Native employees, I offer advice on how to move their careers forward, what to focus on and what to improve. I emphasize how someone can maximize their contribution to their team. Software is ultimately about people who are working on a particular technology. People are what make a project evolve and move forward. Mentoring is all part of that process, so I place tremendous emphasis on it.

WOC: What does it take to be successful in a corporate environment and still retain your cultural heritage?
Cotner: There are definitely companies that place greater emphasis on diversity and IBM is a leader in this area. However, most companies recognize the strengths that various cultural backgrounds bring to the workforce. Diversity is a tremendous asset to team work. I think success in a corporate environment can be obtained by anyone as long as they are willing to take risks. You have to be willing to step up and make mistakes. Let mistakes happen and then retrace your steps and learn. There is no reason to be paralyzed by mistakes. It is important no matter who you are to make informed decisions in a timely manner so you have time to retrace your steps. Recognize when you’re on the wrong path and take corrective action.

Barbara Sorensen is senior editor of
Winds of Change.