Don Clark never imagined he’d be debugging Swift code in his seventies. Back in his college days, he was knee-deep in mechanical engineering, fascinated by hardware platforms that could control machines. This was long before commercial computers were commonplace. He was programming single-board devices using machine code and building sensors from scratch.
His career trajectory seemed set: from developing the Ground Operations Aerospace Language (GOAL) for Space Shuttle launches to joining the team investigating the Solid Rocket Booster failures in Huntsville, Alabama. For decades, he lived in the world of aerospace engineering, where software was a tool, not a passion.
The Spark That Changed Everything
Years later, working for a beer distribution company, Don found himself collaborating with friends in Mexico who needed to track empty beer kegs. Armed with just a laptop and spotty internet connections, he worked through countless late nights to build a tracking system.
“Through countless late nights and not too many beers, I managed to get it all working,” he laughs. “That’s when I realized I could call myself a developer!”
This early success led Don to discover Junior Achievement, a program bringing students together to create their own businesses. He became fascinated with the idea of AI agents helping in corporate roles, facing real-world business challenges. The concept sparked something deeper.
“I kept thinking about Chris’s ‘creating your own App’ video and went through the tasks,” Don explains. He initially developed a web app called BrightForge Simulation for middle and high school students, utilizing Python.
But then reality hit: “I realized more people who enjoy this activity use Apple products and needed exposure through the App Store.”
At an age when most people are thinking about retirement, Don was thinking about learning Swift.
Finding His Guide
Don had invested in Apple’s ecosystem for his music performances, so the necessary hardware was already in place. What he needed was the right learning approach. After exploring various coding resources, he discovered CodeWithChris, and something clicked immediately.
“I realized CodeWithChris was different when I started with exercises that reinforce the basics and tools, setting me up for new content,” Don explains. “It describes a continuous learning experience that ultimately led to the feeling of completion every step of the way.”
Unlike other resources that overwhelmed him with information, CodeWithChris, he said, provided a structured path that built confidence with each lesson.
Breaking Through
Every developer remembers their first real breakthrough, but Don’s came with a profound realization about the nature of development itself.
“Part of becoming a developer involves accepting the realization that you will never learn it all,” he reflects. “To remain up to date, you must include the discipline of constant study, review, and practice. The more I understand, the more I realize that I need to learn. That acceptance of those facts is what constitutes being a developer.”
This wasn’t just a technical breakthrough. It was a mindset shift that would guide him through Swift syntax and iOS frameworks.
A chart mapping a test scenario for the app’s game performance.
Still, Don’s path wasn’t smooth. The biggest shock came when he realized that coding was just the tip of the iceberg. The App Store requirements proved particularly challenging, with preparation often taking longer than developing the app itself.
“I almost gave up,” he admits. “But I kept at it until applying it to the Apple infrastructure made it more mature.” His app is now at its 13th revision and still being refined.
CEO Simulation
This persistence would soon pay off with BrightForge Simulation or CEO Simulation, Don’s very own AI-powered business simulation app that creates realistic scenarios, testing its users’ independent thinking and decision-making skills.
Welcome screenshot of the app
With his app, players navigate base case, best case, and worst-case business scenarios, making strategic decisions and watching outcomes unfold in real-time.
A screen from the app that shows a summary of the player’s score across different areas
“I’m most proud of making the game player think about what to do in specific scenarios to achieve the desired outcome,” Don explains. “And understanding how AI agents can communicate and reach common or conflicting recommendations for the player.”
The app represents everything Don learned about complex systems during his aerospace career, combined with his newfound iOS development skills.
The First User
The moment that made everything worthwhile came from an unexpected source: Don’s son, a long-haul truck driver. With downtime between routes, he became Don’s first real user.
“He enjoyed the challenge the game offers and is now one of the most active players,” Don beams. “It was so heartwarming to see that he found something he enjoyed, especially since it shows that there are many people out there who could love this kind of entertainment.”
A demo Advisor view, where the users see varied pieces of advice portrayed from different departments.
Seeing his son engage with something he’d built from scratch validated Don’s entire journey into iOS development. The rocket scientist had successfully become a developer.
A New Introduction
Today, Don introduces himself differently: “A rocket scientist who has learned to code.”
Learning to code has opened new channels for exploring how AI agents can complement daily problem-solving and expanded his understanding of education’s role in achieving desired outcomes.
His advice for aspiring developers reflects hard-won wisdom: “Go through the exercises and establish a routine of practicing at least 30 minutes each day. You will be surprised how much you will retain by following this method.”
For those ready to give up, he offers this gem: “Keep your exposure sessions short and to the point. Don’t take in too much. It’s kind of like overeating during your favorite meal. Feels good while you’re doing it, but it gives you a bad tummy ache!”
Don’s Message
If Don could go back to that first day when he considered learning Swift, he’d tell his doubtful self: “Do yourself a favor and please keep it simple. Coding only gets complicated when you try to accomplish too much with not enough prior practice.”
Don Clark’s journey proves that the right combination of curiosity, structure, and persistence can transform anyone into a developer, regardless of age or background.
Download CEOSimulation via the App Store today or learn more about the app here!