Twenty-five years of building.

Microsoft · Cloud + AI · Remote

Principal Software Engineering Manager

2019 – Present

Leading software engineering in Microsoft's Cloud + AI organization. Currently working at the intersection of AI agents and production engineering — the space where the rules of software development are not being rewritten by AI so much as amplified. Driving the disciplines that make AI-augmented software development trustworthy at scale: clear intent, contract-first thinking, and behavior-driven specification as the primitive for human-and-agent collaboration.

Smashing Boxes · Durham, NC

VP of Strategy & Blockchain Practice Lead

2019 – 2024

Responsible for strategic growth, building out the blockchain practice, and executing the venture-studio business model. As VP of Strategy, drove growth through operational excellence, service readiness, service delivery, and hyper-focused go-to-market strategies. Executed on the venture-studio model conceived by CEO Nick Jordan. As Blockchain Practice Lead, created, grew, and led the firm's blockchain practice — a natural extension of Smashing Boxes' commitment to leading customers and partners on their Web3 journey.

Alekto Corporation · Durham, NC

Founder & CEO

2012 – 2017

Used lean-startup techniques to build a business from the ground up. Developed a sustainable business model, determined the addressable market, identified customer beachheads. Managed boards of directors and advisors, investors, legal and regulatory matters, and product development. Prepared budgets, managed burn-rate, performed financial reporting, pitched the business.

Highlights

• Entrepreneur in Residence, The Startup Factory, Fall 2012
• Entrepreneur in Residence, Bull City Startup Stampede 3.0
• US Patent US8401960 — Online Credit Escrow Service

Independent · Various Locations

Contractor

2010 – 2018

Took on a series of contract positions providing program management, software architecture, and engineering support. Most recently used Flutter/Dart to build a cross-platform iOS and Android native mobile application. Technical focus on agile Scrum teams developing RESTful microservices with .NET Core, NodeJS, NGINX, Docker, Kubernetes, SaaS ASP.NET MVC web applications and ASP.NET Web API REST APIs applying the Onion Architecture using DDD and TDD principles. Mobile web applications using Angular and ReactJS. Tool and multi-threaded Windows service development. All environments implemented Continuous Integration with a push toward Continuous Delivery.

Selected engagements

• Peoplefluent — Tasked with "fixing" the troubled Learning Management System product. Performed source-code audit, determined a greenfield approach due to massive technical debt, redesigned the product using microservice architecture secured via OAuth/OIDC, implemented CI/CD leveraging AWS, Docker, Docker Swarm, and Drone. Trained the development team on Onion Architecture, DDD, microservice API patterns, and unit testing. Led development of the Angular client and back-end microservice APIs. Designed and managed the DynamoDB database. Integrated IdentityServer4.
• Connecture — Enterprise Architect on the team developing the next-gen platform for Healthcare Information Exchanges and marketplaces in support of the ACA. Member of the Architecture Governance Team. Designed and implemented the platform Identity and Access Management solution. Designed and developed Member Profile microservice. Designed and developed external and internal SSO leveraging OAuth 2.0 and OIDC including a SAML 2.0-integrated partner proxy service (Oracle Identity Federation, Okta).
• Peoplefluent (earlier engagement) — Implemented various REST-based microservice APIs. Re-architected and redesigned a failing multi-threaded Windows service for advanced sourcing. Implemented OAuth 2.0 for the Recruiting Mirror suite. Led the iPaaS team in delivering shared services features including SSO, APIs, and an SDK. Introduced DDD and Onion Architecture to both iPaaS and the Recruiting Management System.

SMBLive Inc. · Reston, VA

Chief Software Architect

2008 – 2009

Responsible for overall technology vision, product development, and customer delivery for a SaaS-based software company servicing SMBs through global telecommunications partners. Led architecture and product development including build-vs-buy analysis, investment rationalization, and delivery scheduling for the product portfolio.

Highlights

• Developed and maintained products servicing SMBs across the UK, Switzerland, Canada, and Mexico — including TradeSpace, a social marketing platform for small business.
• Managed the world's largest MS SharePoint deployment at the time, BT TradeSpace, with 300K+ sites.
• Strengthened the BT partnership by building a professional product-development organization, enhancing organizational credibility.
• Member of the senior leadership team responsible for strategy, budgeting, and business development.
• Managed front-line relationships with global telecommunications partners including BT, TelMex, Swisscom, and Telus.

Pinson3 Systems, LLC · Ashburn, VA

Principal

2004 – 2010

Responsible for all aspects of starting and operating a small business — legal, finance, sales and marketing, operations. Developed and executed go-to-market strategy and marketing plans. Managed a globally distributed professional services organization. Provided program-management support for private and public sector engagements.

Highlights

• Delivered next-generation .NET Windows client software for Transmitter Location Systems initially deployed with SatMex.
• Delivered a multi-modal biometric and bio-demographic analysis system, BAIT, for Verizon Business.
• Delivered an information-warfare training platform, NEMISYS, for Verizon Business.
• Web-enabled Qwest's B2B sales process for Mural Consulting.

Microsoft Corporation · Redmond, WA

Enterprise Strategy Consultant

2001 – 2004

Responsible for ensuring customers achieved maximum ROI from their Microsoft technology investments. Created service offerings and programs, aligned IT strategy with the direction of next-generation technology, coordinated activities across the customer footprint synergistically. Engaged directly with Fortune 500 senior leadership including C-suite executives. Evangelized .NET server software and development tools to key customers and partners in the telecommunications sector.

Highlights

• Motorola ($30M+ account) — Key member of the global account team responsible for planning and executing account strategy. Interfaced with corporate CIO, CSO, and individual business unit CIOs. Crafted solutions for $1B+ business problems across the Motorola footprint, including Motorola Online (MOL) and the PCS Global Awareness site. Key contributor in the vetting process for a $1.6B IT outsourcing deal involving Infosys, Wipro, and CSC.
• NTT Verio — Grew engagement revenue from $200K to $3M+. Guided development and implementation of NTT Verio's managed-services strategy. Demonstrated effective partner management, engaging Accenture, HP, Fujitsu, and others.
• Devised a .NET platform migration strategy for Verizon.com.
• Developed a .NET-based solution, Finance iConsole, for Verizon's multi-billion-dollar receivables and collections issue.
• Led the Microsoft Passport Managed Namespace SDK development team.
• Additional accounts: Williams Energy Services, Global Crossings, Nextel.

marchFIRST, Inc. (USWeb / CKS) · Herndon, VA

Senior Manager, iFrame Platform Services Group

1999 – 2001

Responsible for defining the overall product feature set of iFrame, the managed-services hosting platform (an early cloud service). Defined and delivered iFrame Directory and Security Services. Responsible for product management, program management, and product development. Managed teams in Herndon and Redmond. Managed the front-line partner relationship with Microsoft, ensuring maximum ROI on its $90M investment in the Managed Services Division.

Highlights

• Developed a scalable, high-availability directory and security services platform.
• Contributed to the USWeb/CKS Account Management Methodology.
• Helped grow the organization from 7 to 200+ people.
• Helped Microsoft program managers understand the high-availability and scalability requirements server products had to meet to enable suitable SLAs from hosting partners.