Leaders of CGM: Emil Horomnea – You`ll Never Walk Alone. Gamer Dreams and Team Lead Realities

You know those people who seem to quietly build their path, brick by brick, with humility, drive, and a touch of bold risk-taking? That’s Emil Horomnea – the newest Team Lead in the G3HIS project, Jupiter 3 team, and a true CGMer at heart. 

Emil was born and raised in Iași, without the typical "childhood at grandma's in the countryside" story. He had just one grandmother, and she lived in town. An only child, born later in his parents' lives, Emil grew up in a well-off, highly educated family: his father - a university professor, his mother - a family doctor. He had everything he needed – and then some – including a solid education. 

Fun fact: His dad is also named Emil. So, at home, he's "Emi," and his father remains "Emil." So, if you ever bump into him in the office – don’t hesitate to call him Emi. 

Despite being a shy, introverted child, Emil loved connecting with people. He had his tight group of friends from the same social background, and while he never chased straight A’s (to his parents’ dismay), he always aimed for learning that made sense. 

"I knew grades mattered in the short run. But I wanted to learn efficiently and focus on soft skills because I knew those would help me more in life."

Growing up with strict rules, Emil was expected to focus on one thing: school. Extracurricular activities were limited, but summer meant freedom. That’s when sports entered his life – swimming, football, and his all-time favorite: tennis, which he still enjoys today. 

The generational gap between Emil and his parents was clear – he craved freedom, they valued discipline. That tension helped shape a strong character, even if it sometimes broke his teenage heart. 

As a teen, Emil dreamed of becoming a professional gamer – and even won several local competitions. His parents didn't approve. Later, he dreamed of being a pilot. But studying physics wasn’t exactly his thing, and the idea of moving alone to Bucharest didn’t sit well with his parents. 

He attended Negruzzi High School, one of the most prestigious schools in Iași. Though in the math-informatics section, IT didn’t really spark his interest. His informatics teachers were focused on the Olympiad stars – and Emil wasn’t one of them. He was just the seatmate of one. 

Back then, IT’s potential wasn’t clear to him. He dreamed of running his own business, so he chose to study Management at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, where – plot twist – his father taught him accounting for a semester. 

Reality didn’t meet his expectations, so he tried something new: a Master’s in Human Resources, in English. That brought him closer to people, developed his soft skills, and sharpened his English. And it also brought him closer to Marta – the beautiful woman who would become his wife. 

Each year of his Master’s brought a new “YES” to adventure: Work & Travel in the United States – twice, both times with Marta. 

"It was my desire to get out of the comfort zone. I had never worked before or been far from home for more than a few days." 

From zero work hours to 8, then 15 – those were the days that built grit. They learned what “real work” meant. It brought them closer and gave them lessons they carry to this day. 

They learned to budget every dollar, to rely on each other when exhaustion kicked in, and to push through when giving up seemed easier. Every day was a test – of patience, of resilience, of partnership. And they passed with flying colors. 

Emil often looks back at those days with a mix of pride and gratitude. The sweat, the sacrifices, the uncertainty – all of it built the foundation of who he is today. It wasn't just about making money or seeing a new country. It was about growing up, together, one shift at a time. 

Returning to Romania, Emil realized HR was not exactly booming locally. But corporate life was trending – and he wanted in. 

His first job? Call center at a huge corporation. He stayed less than 3 months. You won’t find it on his CV, but that job taught him one thing: what a job shouldn’t be. 

Next came a Data Entry role at another corporation. There, Emil grew. He learned, took initiative, exceeded expectations. He was promised leadership roles – which never came. Eventually, disappointment set in. He wanted more. 

Then came the pandemic. 

Working from home and finishing his tasks in half the time, Emil started seeking new challenges. Marta – a dental technician – was also affected by the pandemic. So, they decided to invest in themselves. 

They tried self-taught courses, but realized they needed structure. With savings from Work & Travel, they joined the “Intro to Programming” course at Wantsome, The Friendly IT Academy in Iași. They loved it. And kept going. 

Encouraged by their mentor – a Java Developer – they both chose the Java path. They enrolled in an intensive BackEnd course, studied late nights, did homework, watched tutorials. They had a goal: to break into IT. Together, as always.  

Emil applied everywhere. He aced the soft skills interviews, but the technical ones? Tougher. No experience meant rejections. 

Until – during a vacation – he got a call from CGM. He had forgotten he’d applied. The offer? A 3-month BackEnd mentorship. A lower salary. A fixed-term contract. Risky. 

"I didn’t want to pass up this opportunity. I told myself: I trust in myself. I’ll prove I deserve to stay. If you don’t risk it, you don’t win. And I’m so happy I took that leap." 

He nailed the technical interview with Alexandru Luca and Adrian Barna, who saw his potential immediately. Emil connected with them, and later, with CGM’s entire culture. 

The 3-month mentorship with Alexandru Luca was a game-changer. 

"I learned in 3 months with Alex what I wouldn’t have learned in years elsewhere." 

And for that, and for all the constant and professional support, Emil will be forever grateful to Alex. Because that’s what we do at CGM: we build people. 

After that, Emil stayed. He joined Cătălin Feidi’s team, worked on CLICKDOC, and later transitioned to the Jupiter project. A year ago, he moved teams again. Two months ago, he was asked to be Team Lead for one of Jupiter’s teams. 

"I’m incredibly lucky to work with such amazing people. We deliver, we communicate, and we support each other. We work as a team, not individuals." 

He had told Adrian Cristea and Cătălin Feidi two years ago that he aspired to be a TL. And when the right time came, Adrian gave him that chance. 

What makes Emil’s journey unique is not just the speed at which he grew, but the depth of self-awareness he carried every step of the way. He never saw leadership as a title, but as a service. A responsibility. A chance to create the kind of space he wished he had when he was starting out. 

And while imposter syndrome still knocks on his door from time to time – a reminder that he didn’t take the traditional route – Emil answers it with action, with mentorship, with dedication to the people around him. Because that’s the kind of leader he set out to become. And already is. 

"I know many in my team are more senior technically. But I’m here to be the glue. I know I’ve been lucky too – life is about the chances you’re given." 

For Emil, CGM is more than a workplace – it's the place where everything started to align. Where his potential was recognized, his effort appreciated, and his growth accelerated. It’s where he felt, for the first time, that he wasn’t just an employee, but a valued part of something greater. A place where purpose meets people, and where culture isn’t just a slide in a presentation – it’s lived, daily. 

What keeps Emil at CGM after 4+ years? 

• A people-first culture 
• Projects with purpose and challenge 
• Constant growth, always supported 
• Recognition and appreciation 
• Stability in a shifting IT landscape 
• Truly amazing colleagues 

Sure, there were moments of doubt. But every time he took stock, he realized the benefits outweighed the bumps. 

And when Emil looks back, he sees how each moment – from burnout to breakthroughs – shaped him into the leader he is today. That’s why he often shares advice with juniors just starting out. Lessons learned the hard way. Lessons that matter. 

Here are a few of Emil’s top insights: 

• Ask questions. Challenge everything. Build your logic. 
• Take initiative – go beyond your daily tasks. 
• Step out of your comfort zone. That’s where growth lives. 

These aren’t just bullet points for a slide deck. They’re battle-tested principles from someone who’s lived them, stumbled through them, and grown stronger because of them. 

Outside work, Emil enjoys life to the fullest with Marta – now also a BackEnd Developer. 

Their passions: 

• Gaming – His first love. He’s even the FIFA champ in CGM’s internal tournaments. 
• Fitness & Tennis – Gym sessions together, at least 3 times a week. Tennis as often as possible. 
• Animals – Emil is definitely a pet lover. He has 2 cats and… 2 dogs. He’s used to saying 3 dogs, because Toby, a beautiful Akita and his personal favorite, passed away 4 months ago. 
• Travel – From cruises in the Mediterranean and the North Sea to exotic beaches in the Maldives, they’re making memories before the kids arrive (yes, there’s family pressure, of course). 
• Formula 1 – He watches all the races and recently attended the Barcelona Grand Prix live. 
• FC Liverpool – A loyal fan, with a bucket-list dream: watching a match live at Anfield. 

At the office with his team, or at home with his partner-in-everything Marta, Emil knows he has the best travel companions for this ride called life. And like the Liverpool anthem goes – no matter what comes, You’ll Never Walk Alone. Because Emil knows that the people beside you are the most important part of the journey.  

Emil’s story is more than a career path – it’s a journey of courage, reinvention, and quiet determination. From high expectations in a disciplined home to scrubbing dishes in the U.S., from betting on Java to mentoring others as a Team Lead – every twist in the road mattered. 

He didn’t start in IT. He wasn’t the high school coding prodigy. He wasn’t handed a clear path. But he built one anyway. 

And that’s the heart of leadership. Not titles. Not seniority. But resilience, self-awareness, the ability to inspire, and the courage to rise each time you’re told “no.” 

Emil is proof that growth isn’t linear. It’s messy, beautiful, and deeply personal. It takes grit to rewrite your story – and even more heart to help others write theirs. 

So, here’s to Emi: the kid who once dreamed of being a professional gamer, the man who dared to code, and the leader who shows us all that no matter where you start, you can end up exactly where you’re meant to be.