Episode 113: Decoding a Career: Mike Beckerle on Data, DFDL, and Doing the Hard Stuff

In this special holiday episode of Tech Transforms, we’re joined by Mike Beckerle—Chief Software Architect at Owl Cyber Defense, co-creator of the DFDL standard, and a foundational force behind the Apache Daffodil open-source project. Mike’s career has been a masterclass in solving some of the most complex challenges in data interoperability and secure information sharing—often behind the scenes, but always with massive impact. As he steps into retirement (though we’re not totally convinced he’ll slow down), we take a moment to reflect on the legacy he leaves behind—from his pioneering work at Tresys and Owl to shaping real-world standards that actually work. This episode is a celebration of big ideas, mentorship done right, and the kind of quiet brilliance that transforms entire fields. As longtime colleague Stephen Lawrence said best: “Mike didn’t just solve hard problems—he helped the rest of us learn how to solve them too.” If you've ever wrestled with legacy data or wondered what true tech leadership looks like, this one’s a gift.