From a young age, Leslie “Les” R. Barfield excelled at mathematics; throughout his schooling, he gravitated toward a career in either applied science or teaching. Upon graduating from high school, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Bowdoin College and a Master of Science in Computer Science from the Columbia University School of Engineering.

With degrees in hand, he had two outstanding job offers from General Electric and Digital Equipment Corporation; after much consideration, he joined the latter company as an engineer in its International Division from 1989 to 1992 and as a customer service engineer there from 1990 to 1993.

A pioneer in software, Mr. Barfield subsequently excelled as an engineer-turned-senior software engineer at 3COM Inc. between 1994 and 1998 and as a senior software engineer at Mapletree Networks from 1998 to 1999. He then lent his expertise as a lead engineer and contractor at the startup firm Springtide Networks, which was later purchased by Lucent for $1.5 billion, for four years. From 2003 up until his retirement in 2017, he was active as a freelance software contractor in the music industry.

Over the course of his robust career, he has wielded expertise in computer networks, network management, remote services, operating systems, development languages, adaptability, and graphic interface design techniques, among others. In 2007, during his freelancing career, he further bolstered his credentials with coursework in Harvard University Extension CSCI-E237 Programming Microsoft .NET.