From the moment Devan stepped onto Oregon Tech’s campus, it was clear he was driven by more than just academics—he was propelled by curiosity. While other universities offered impersonal group tours, Devan received a one-on-one walkthrough that allowed him to ask deep questions and explore the labs that would later shape his career. That early glimpse into Oregon Tech’s hands-on environment was the spark that ignited a lifelong pursuit of innovation.
Devan’s fascination with the Mars Reach balloon program, a student-led initiative to launch and track high-altitude balloons, was more than casual interest. Though not directly involved, he closely followed the launches and admired the ambition of students trying to reach space before SpaceX became a household name. It was this kind of grassroots ingenuity that resonated with him and mirrored his own approach to learning: bold, experimental, and deeply technical.
His academic journey was rigorous. Devan built an operating system from scratch in one of Oregon Tech’s advanced labs, a feat that became a focal point in job interviews for years. He didn’t stop there, he also created a 3D modeling program during college, complete with terrain manipulation and erosion simulation, all while juggling a full course load. Interviewers were stunned. One even told him, “You shouldn’t be interviewing for an internship—you should be interviewing for a job.”
After years in engineering roles, Devan joined a Berlin-based startup incubator, diving into a world of global entrepreneurship. Surrounded by PhDs and driven minds from across Europe, Devan thrived in the culture shock. He quickly learned the nuances of international business, from navigating Germany’s complex bureaucracy to understanding the limitations of European venture capital. Though the incubator stint lasted just three months, it was transformative, solidifying his desire to build something of his own and giving him the clarity to return to the U.S. with a renewed sense of purpose.
Back in the U.S., Devan completed a master’s in computer science with a focus on artificial intelligence—years ahead of the generative AI boom. He joined Figure, a financial lending startup, where he now leads development for their private label platform. Under his leadership, the platform has become a major growth engine, used by nearly all of the top 20 non-bank lenders in the U.S.
But Devan’s mind never stops building. He developed a weather app, Highway Weather, to solve a personal travel challenge, which now boasts over 500,000 downloads. He acquired an ag-tech company to integrate with his app and co-owns an olive oil business, Big Horn Oil, his “non-tech adventure” that brings him joy and a whole new set of entrepreneurial skills. He’s even navigating business acquisitions and marketing strategy, evolving into a micro-entrepreneur with a portfolio that spans software, agriculture, and retail.
Devan’s story is a testament to what happens when intelligence meets opportunity—and when curiosity is never left unchecked. From Oregon Tech to Berlin and beyond, he continues to build, lead, and inspire.