Brian J. Dillard heads the Ajax practice at Pathfinder Development, a Chicago-based software firm. After 12 years of focusing on the view layer of large consumer webapps, his role at Pathfinder is one of research, development and ongoing commentary. He prototypes new rich UI features; contributes to open-source and client projects; and otherwise helps build Pathfinder’s competency in the Ajax world. A frequent contributor to the Agile Ajax blog, he is also the project lead on Really Simple History, a JavaScript library for Ajax bookmark and back-button management. Prior to his current assignment, Brian spent significant chunks of time at Orbitz, United Airlines, Reflect.com and Townsend Analytics, Ltd. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from Michigan State University. Brian is passionate about JavaScript but also makes room in his heart for cycling, comic books, science fiction, tattoos and other pastimes befitting a computer nerd.