Mike Koss

About

My computing career started in the 1970s, when I bought an Apple II. I was a hobbyist long before I became a professional programmer, and after a 30-year career, I’m happily a hobbyist again.

Most of that career was at Microsoft. I was part of the original Excel team, founded the Outlook development team as its development manager, and started SharePoint Team Services as a skunkworks project. SharePoint went on to become one of the fastest-growing revenue products in Microsoft’s history, and today it accounts for a very large fraction of the storage in Microsoft’s immense cloud services. After Microsoft, I worked with software startups and served as launch director of StartPad, a Seattle coworking space for software teams. I later joined Google’s Firebase team.

I was an active private pilot for many years, though I no longer fly myself.

White Sands
We don't need no stinking badges!
Seargent ShipIt
Flying with Debbie and Chris · July 2000
Excel - "Recalc or Die"
Seattle Startup Scene
Step away from the cookie!
On the water
Camp Counselor Mike
Surfing
10 photos

These days I’m enjoying getting back into coding: doing a lot of vibe coding and working on projects that interest me. This site is a collection of those projects and other random things I find interesting.

My Communities

The people and places I spend time with matter as much to me as the projects I make. Here are a few communities that enrich my life.

The Museum of Flight

I serve on the board because the Museum of Flight is a unique educational institution that inspires and educates the next generation through aviation. As a former private pilot, that mission means a great deal to me.

Fred Hutch

I’ve supported Fred Hutch for many years. Its work in cancer research and patient care is a cause I believe in, and I value the people who keep that work moving forward.

Wetherill Nature Preserve

This local preserve is a quiet place for native plants, wildlife, and people. Its trails and the people who care for them remind me what a community can protect together.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound

I’ve been a Big Brother since 2018. My Little is 21 in 2026, and we still spend time together regularly.

Mutiny Bay Brass Band

I enjoy the shared energy of this band: musicians and neighbors coming together around live brass music on Whidbey Island.

Ham Radio and PSRG

I’m K7MCK and a member of the Puget Sound Repeater Group. Amateur radio keeps the tinkering side of me connected to people around the region.

You can find more of my work here: