01 / The long-term project
One red Mustang.
My 2002 GT. Bought new, modified along the way, and staying with me. Next up: getting the vinyl graphics back on.
Meet the MustangRetired. Not standing still.
Hi, I'm Mitch.
Still curious.
Still making things.
A Minnesota life spent figuring things out.
Electronics, the web, a few boats, and one red Mustang.
Engineer at heart.Maker by habit.Outdoors whenever possible.
A little about me
The common thread?
Figuring it out.
I'm Mitchell Bennis, usually Mitch. I'm a recently retired electronics guy, web developer, and lifelong tinkerer living in Minnesota.
My work has taken me from repairing electronics and improving business systems to designing websites, producing digital media, and developing WordPress software. Much of that story runs through my years at Vexilar, followed by my own business, Element Engage.
Retirement means more room for the things I enjoy. I'm still building websites, this time as a hobby. I'm exploring local AI and returning to my electrical engineering roots, with AI and 3D printing finding their way into the mix.
And when I'm not at a screen or a workbench, there's fishing. Three boats might tell you something about that.
Life after the job title
What I'm into these days.
Some old favorites.
A few new rabbit holes.
02 / On the water
Fishing & three boats.
Fishing has a place in my working life and my personal life. These days I have three boats and plenty of interest in spending time on the water.
A Minnesota constant.
03 / Building for fun
The web, without the job.
I haven't put website work away. It's a hobby now: a place to build, experiment, and keep learning without turning every idea into client work.
My GitHub profile04 / A new rabbit hole
AI, closer to home.
I'm interested in building and running local LLM setups. It's another way to explore how things work, with the hardware and software close at hand.
Learning by experimenting.
05 / Back to my roots
Circuits. Code. Things.
I'm getting back into electrical engineering projects, bringing AI and 3D printing along. There's something in the works; I'll share it when it's ready.
Back at the workbench.
The working years
A career of connecting the dots.
Electronics to operations.
Digital media to software.
1987 – 1989
Minnesota Exteriors
From entry-level work to delivery driving and factory-warranty window service. An early chapter in learning on the job and taking on new responsibilities.
1989 – 2006
Vexilar
I started with trolling-motor repair, then moved into sonar, electronic design, purchasing, inventory, IT, and digital media. A central chapter of my working life.
Read my Vexilar historyBeginning in 2006
Element Engage
I became an independent print, web, and video designer, continuing to work with Vexilar while developing relationships with other clients.
Later chapters
Websites & WordPress software
My web work grew to include developing the Simple File List plugin family. This is part of my professional history; today my website work is a personal hobby.
Keep in touch
Good conversations
start somewhere.
Old colleague, fellow tinkerer, or someone with a shared interest? I'd enjoy hearing from you.
This is my personal site. I'm retired from client work, but not from being curious.
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