The Journey
From the early days of dial-up to the forefront of AI orchestration, my career has been defined by a single pursuit: building systems that last.
The Foundation: Systems Mastery
Starting in the dial-up era at AT&T, I quickly moved into the core systems running the Internet. At the LA Times and Rand Corporation, I managed end-to-end stacks—from Sun Solaris and frame relay to data protection and software lifecycles. This was an era of 'generalist excellence,' where understanding the entire stack was the only way to deliver outcomes.
Scale & Reliability: The Telecom Era
Transitioning to companies like Amadeus, Nortel, and Siemens, my focus shifted to massive scale. I designed and supported platforms for travel reservations and global GSM networks. This period taught me that repeatability, durability, and Day 2 operations are what separate a technical success from a financial one.
The Consulting Era: Designing Outcomes
In 2003, I took a leap into IT consulting, leveraging my deep Solaris knowledge to deliver complex systems for Sun Microsystems. Over the next decade, I branched out to work with leaders like NetApp, EMC, and Brocade. I developed a reputation for adaptability—building custom integrations and architecting storage, backup, and HPC solutions that translated technical features into business outcomes.
The Shift: Building the Consultant-Led Model
I took a leap from large-scale national VARs to join a small, agile team at Edge Solutions. Over five years, we transformed the business from a product-focused shop into a true consultant-led organization. We focused on the 'how the watch was built'—designing outcomes for clients rather than just pushing point solutions.
Strategy & Culture: Scaling the Vision
As CTO, my focus expanded from technology to people. We prioritized top talent and built a culture of 'doing the right thing,' eventually leading to Edge Solutions being recognized as the 'Best Place to Work in Atlanta.' Today, I balance scaling our business with a hands-on approach to our clients' most complex technical challenges.
The Thesis: Architecture over Prompts
My 28-year journey has led to a single conclusion: durability comes from system architecture, not point-in-time fixes. In the era of Gen2 AI, I focus on building Secure AI Platforms—applying the same rigor of high-availability, compliance, and scalability I've practiced since 1996 to the new world of AI orchestration.
Engineering Outcomes
I don't believe in point solutions. My experience across Unix systems, telecom networks, and enterprise consulting has taught me that real value is found in the orchestration of technologies to solve business problems. Whether it's a Solaris cluster in 2005 or an AI agent framework today, the principles remain the same: it must be auditable, bounded, and sound.