Japheth is j5th is Jay is me.

Japheth Benfield, the first of his name, was hatched to human parents in the virginal waters of Genesee County, Michigan. He escaped from childhood with skinned knees and deeply introverted wiring. Mankind’s inability to pronounce his name led to his adoption of “Jay” to avoid the harsh spotlight of phonetic inquiry. In spite of his best efforts, all of his attempts at invisibility failed miserably. Even his genetics betrayed him – his gangly frame resulting in extra-visibility.

Music, guitar, and D&D were a balm for the moody despair that glommed his awkward teenage soul. What wasn’t remedied by Dr. Dre, minor pentatonics, and slaying kobolds, Jay satisfied through an unwavering devotion to shenanigans. His acute wisdom deficiency led to gigantic and unexpected life changes. He was married and became a dad soon after high school, which is not a path he would recommend (0/5 stars).

Instantaneous adulthood left Jay and his young family circling the drain at the base of Maslow’s Pyramid until, in 1997, he was given an extraordinary opportunity to work on “the Internet.” This trial-by-fire gig set in motion an incredible and Ludicrous Speed career spanning nearly three decades. Jay has held technical leadership positions with world-class nonprofit, public sector, and private sector organizations, has founded or cofounded several startups, and has led hundreds of freelance web projects for a diverse mix of clients internationally.

Jay divorced, remarried, and today has six awesome kids – four of whom can no longer be called kids, and five of whom like him at any given time. He works in information security, makes websites, writes soft sci-fi/hard fantasy, plays lead guitar in a band you’ve never heard of, and improvises stories powered by funny dice.