James Bryan Caudill-Ritter, 39

When he worked for German air carrier Lufthansa, James Bryan Caudill-Ritter oversaw the design and implementation of cockpit software systems.

Caudill-Ritter started as a flight attendant for the carrier, working his way up through a management-training program in Germany. “I worked my way up to being a senior project manager,” he says. “If you’re willing to stick with it and do the hard work, you’ll succeed.”

Caudill-Ritter eventually made his way to Southwest Florida, where he started his own technology firm, Pulse Business Solutions, in 2006. He lives on the river in rural Alva, surrounded by nature. “Most of my neighbors are cows and horses,” he laughs.

Starting Pulse that year was good timing because companies outsourced their technology services to save money during the downturn. “We’ve been averaging 64% growth for the past four years,” he says.

“I consider ourselves more of a boutique technology consulting firm,” he says. Corporate clients in industries such as health care, real estate and manufacturing look to Pulse to maintain and support their technology needs.

Caudill-Ritter says Pulse has focused on business clients since its inception, but he plans to add a residential service that will assist wealthy individuals with their computer needs and home automation.

Caudill-Ritter has a plan: “I want to retire at 50, and I’m building my business to do that.”

— Jean Gruss

Q&A

City of residence: Alva

Twitter handle: @PulseBiz

Birthplace:  Naperville, Ill.

Years on the Gulf Coast:  13 years

Marital status/children: Partnered, total of eight children—four four-legged, three winged and a pixie-bob, a bobcat mixed with domestic cat that adopted us.

Best place to network: Everywhere I go

If I had a magic wand I’d: Put a tablet in every child’s hand to learn about technology

Alma mater: Universitaet Humboldt, Berlin, Germany

One community group you’re most involved with: ARTS for ACT

Coolest business experience: Meeting Stephen Bienko

The most important business lesson I’ve learned: Reputation means everything and I’m proud of our company’s.

One website that makes your job easier: pulsebizsolutions.com

Favorite off-hours activity: Growing orchids and chilling at home with a glass of wine

Two people, dead or alive, you’d like to have dinner with: Steve Jobs and Bill Gates

Best award you ever received: 40 under 40 from Business Observer

Most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: Living in Europe for over 10 years

What’s at the top of your bucket list: Traveling to Iceland as part of Nature/Natural Geographic

What new skill would you like to learn:  New and upcoming technologies, HIPAA/Medical Risk Assessments.

Who would play you in a movie about your life: Toby McGuire futurist roles from villain to superhero.