This Month’s Spotlight: Nicholas Monacelli - Software Developer
Building Solutions, One Line of Code at a Time
At Common Knowledge Technology, innovation thrives on the passion and dedication of its people. This month, the spotlight shines on Nicholas Monacelli, a gifted software developer whose love for problem-solving and collaboration leaves a lasting mark on every project he touches.
“There’s something really rewarding about building something from scratch that makes someone’s life easier,” Nicholas shared recently. “That’s what keeps me excited to come to work every day.”
From Iron Range to Innovation
Nicholas’s journey began in Virginia, Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a focus on software engineering from Iron Range Engineering. Initially drawn to electrical engineering, he soon discovered that his true passion lay in software development. After college, he ventured into freelancing but quickly realized the value of working on larger-scale projects with a team. That insight, and a bit of networking, led him to his current role at CKT.
A Developer with a Broad Reach
At CKT, Nicholas wears many hats. He builds everything from sleek, client-facing websites to robust internal applications that support daily operations. He also manages hosting and maintenance for over 50 sites and sets up deployment pipelines that move code from local machines to live environments. His work ensures that both clients and colleagues experience seamless, reliable digital solutions.
Driven by Collaboration and Impact
Nicholas thrives on teamwork and the thrill of tackling new technical challenges. But what truly makes his day is hearing that something he built helped solve a problem or created real value for a client. That feedback fuels his drive and reinforces his commitment to excellence.
Life Beyond the Keyboard
Outside of work, Nicholas is a man of many interests. As a child, he dreamed of being a stand-up comic; a nod to his love for making people laugh. Today, he enjoys gaming with friends, playing piano, and spending time outdoors with his wife Ashlynn, daughter Marnie, and their dogs Reggie and Hallie.
Ashlynn holds a special place in Nicholas’s heart. Her compassion for animals is unmatched; she volunteers at shelters, fosters regularly, and once cared for a litter of 15 puppies. On top of that, she’s an amazing mom, and Nicholas admires her deeply.
Fun Facts and Favorites
- Unique Life Moment: As a teen in the Upward Bound college prep program, Nicholas won first place in a statewide talent show for performing an original piano composition.
- Favorite Superhero: Iron Man—because flying around in that suit would be “so wicked.”
- Favorite Book: Feed by M.T. Anderson
- Favorite Movie: Interstellar
- Favorite Food: Sushi
- Favorite Place to Visit: The cabin and lake—especially cruising on the pontoon boat
- Favorite Bingeworthy Series: Stranger Things—Nicholas and Ashlynn binge every new season in a day or two and can’t wait for the final one!
Nicholas brings creativity, technical expertise, and a genuine love for collaboration to everything he does at CKT. His dedication to both his craft and his family is inspiring, and we’re lucky to have him on the team.
