#vaughnduck

[mvaughnduck]

Michael Vaughn Duck — known as M. Vaughn Duck or simply Vaughn Duck — is a former technology executive turned lyricist, poet, and escapist storyteller. With a career spanning decades in the tech world followed by a creative shift in 2010, Duck has woven a life of innovation and introspection. From pioneering computer systems in the American Midwest to crafting funky jazz lyrics on the French Riviera, his journey bridges hardwired logic with the rhythm of reflection.

A Tech Trailblazer’s Beginnings

Born on September 13, 1943, in Rockford, Illinois, Duck kicked off his career with a tech-savvy streak. From 1962 to 1963, in Chicago, IL, he studied at the Institute of Automation, earning an Associate’s Degree in Business, Software Design, and Programming while working part-time as a Unit Record Operator at Armour Meat Company. By 1964, in Rockford, IL, he landed at G.C. Electronics as Data Processing Manager (later MIS Director), overseeing the region’s first IBM System/360 computer installation — a milestone in the mid-60s tech scene. From 1968 to 1976, still in Rockford, IL, he ran the Computer Services Center as General Manager, serving the region with innovative computing solutions.

Duck’s entrepreneurial spirit flared in 1980 when he founded Integrated Micro Systems (IMS) in Rockford, IL, leading it as President until 1982 to build election ballot-counting hardware. He followed this with Governmental Data Systems (GDS) from 1983 to 1985, also in Rockford, IL, as President, focusing on election software for public-sector clients. In 1985, still in Rockford, IL, he launched Interactive Software Products, Inc. (ISP), owning 94% and steering it as President to develop Point of Sale systems for retail hard goods, developed on IBM PC-AT servers and PC-Jr terminals. In 1986, he sold GDS and IMS to Business Records Corporation (BRC) in Dallas, TX, where he served as Executive Vice President from 1986 to 1988, managing their election division for major projects like Cook County, Illinois, and Louisiana contracts. His IMS and GDS election systems from the early 1980s, notably for Cook County, laid the groundwork for real-time precinct election results, consolidated and displayed at a central election center.

His tech journey peaked internationally as Managing Director of Global 360’s European operations in Paris, FR, from 2002 to 2004, then as Vice President of their document management group in Cerritos, CA, from 2004 to 2006, optimizing business processes to drive growth. Duck capped his career as Vice President at Tyler Technologies in Dallas, TX, from 2007 to 2009, focusing on civil court software for the public sector. By 2009, after 45 years shaping tech from hardware to software, Duck stepped away from the corporate grind.

A Creative Shift in the South of France

After decades in tech, Duck sought creative freedom in 2010, drawn by a lifelong love of music and poetry, relocating to the South of France and trading circuit boards for creative chords. His most notable musical mark came through his collaboration with Sonny Axell on the 2016 album Kickback, a 9-track journey of funky contemporary jazz laced with R&B and soul. As lyricist and producer, Duck shaped the project from November 2015 in Antibes, FR, at Studio 26, crafting all original lyrics — from the high-energy groove of “Kickback” to the tender “Little Boy Dreams” and the self-affirming “It’s Who I Am.” His words dance over Axell’s Stevie Wonder-inspired melodies, backed by tight brass, punchy guitar riffs, and the pulse of Chicago drummer Darvonte T. Murray. Influences from soul giants like Prince, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Ray Charles shine through, earning praise from jazz fans for its soulful spirit and luxurious arrangements. After its April 2016 release, the album debuted live in Nice, FR, at Galerie Depardieu, cementing Duck’s legacy in jazz-soul circles. Kickback is available on platforms like Spotify.

Duck’s creative heart traces back to his high school days, when his poem “Christmas Eve” placed third in a school contest, a spark that later fueled his literary pursuits on platforms like WordPress and Medium. From 2014 to 2024, in the South of France, he’s published over 135 poems and lyrics on Medium, branding himself a “Lyricist, Poet, and Escapist” with a motto: “Life is a roller-coaster full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and when it stops, you’re somewhere between heaven and hell.” Standouts include “The Old Black Train,” featured in his article “Afterlife,” blending quantum science, cellular research, and spiritual musings into a poetic farewell, and “Don’t Let the Old Man In,” a reflective gem in his collection. Other poems — like “What Lies Beyond the Shadows” (2016), dedicated to friends Eurold and Vivian, or “Chasing the Elusive Dream” (2024), penned on a bus with the Alpine Hiking Club — reveal a soul attuned to love, loss, and life’s fleeting moments. “The Lion” (2017) roars with passion, while “When You’re Crazy in Your Head” (2015) dives into inner turmoil. Tied to specific dates and experiences, these works showcase his versatility, mixing real-life inspiration with imaginative escape.

Beyond poetry, Duck has penned over 40 articles on Medium from 2015 to 2025, ranging from travel guides to the South of France — capturing its sun and sea — to Polish cooking recipes, political essays, and deeper reflections like “Afterlife.” This diverse output paints him as a thinker who’s traded tech manuals for a broader canvas of human experience.

A Wanderer’s Life

Duck’s story hints at a restless spirit fueled by nature and nostalgia. His tech roots in Illinois gave way to a global career, landing him in the South of France by 2010 — a creative haven reflected in Kickback’s Riviera vibe and references to Entrevaux. The Alpine Hiking Club nod suggests a love for rugged landscapes, yet he keeps his personal tale veiled and low-key. His poetry remains active, with posts as recent as 2024, showing a mind still chasing dreams.

The Full Picture

So, who is M. Vaughn Duck? He’s a tech pioneer who built systems to count votes and manage retail stores, then traded it all for a life of soulful anthems and pondering verses. From Rockford’s early computers to Nice’s jazz stages, he’s channeled life’s highs and lows into a legacy of logic and lyricism. Not mainstream, his art — from Kickback’s grooves to poems scribbled on mountain-bound buses to essays on life’s mysteries — offers a glimpse into a soul finding harmony in both the hum of machines and the stillness of reflection.

And, the beat goes on… Living the good life in the South of France

@vaughnduck @mvaughnduck #vaughnduck 4 March 2025