A secure communications start-up
2018 – current: Founder & CEO
We build secure communications peripherals for business travelers and other high value personnel. These peripherals work with existing phones and laptops to ensure absolute privacy.
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- Developed concept and built initial proof-of-concept with off-the-shelf components and custom software.
- Filed initial patent.
- Secured R&D grant from Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to develop testable units.
- Developed go-to-market plan, built fundraising materials
- Iterated and refined prototypes and firmware on path to production.
Consulting services for humanitarian and government sector
2013 – 2020, Founder & Managing partner
Our mission was to improve the outcomes of U.S. engagement in global disasters and conflicts. We enabled others to have greater impact through open collaboration, improved technology and streamlined operations.
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Operations:
- 2013 Philippines, Typhoon Haiyan: Performed on-the-ground survey, mapping, and imagery collections to assist in aid delivery.
- 2015-2016 Iraq, ISIS Insurgency: Performed UAV and on-the-ground survey, mapping, imagery, and other data collections to support security operations, refugee aid delivery, and mass grave monitoring.
- 2018 Mali (west Africa), Counter Islamic Insurgency: Proof-of-concept experimentation and data collections for development of peer-to-peer mesh network to support local security counter-terror efforts.
Product Development:
- Designed, developed, sourced, and contracted US manufacturing for products such as: SSR Panel, Observer Bag, custom solar panel.
- Developed, delivered, and trained customized collections systems for government customers.
Proprietary trading firm
2011 – 2013, Systems Architect
My role was to transform their systems management infrastructure from human-procedure driven into a software-driven services platform. I designed the system and led the effort to build it.
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- Developed the concept and project plan for an internal infrastructure-as-a-service initiative based on an in-depth assessment.
- Formulated the team requirements, assisted in the recruiting efforts, ultimately leveraging a mix of in-house, new-hire, and consultant talent.
- Designed a systems architecture and software approach that was services driven, allowing for independent development of the components by different teams.
- Built and deployed an infrastructure services platform that allowed for automated management of a globally distributed trading environment.
- Developed an exchange and third-party vendor data acquisition and interpretation system
Independent consulting and ventures
2008 – 2011, Independent Consulting
I served in many roles from engineer, to subject matter expert, to interim CTO. I worked for a variety of organizations covering technology and national security domains. I also served in humanitarian efforts overseas.
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- Co-founded social advertising start-up. Built initial product and assisted in fundraising and sales to initial customer. (YC11)
- Advisor for DoD and USG initiatives on civilian-military coordination in humanitarian relief efforts in Somalia.
- Developed Android-based information-gathering demo applications for DoD customers.
- Participated in summits and working groups for DARPA, Joint Chiefs, and other agencies on information sharing efforts.
- Interim CTO for a defense start-up that developed a new airborne platform for communications and reconnaissance. Assisted in strategic technology efforts with partners in the defense industry.
- Volunteer and humanitarian assistance in Haiti disaster relief efforts. Raised money, assembled technology resources, and developed custom software to help with coordination.
- Interim CTO for OCA Ventures portfolio company. Assisted in transition of management team and reshaping of strategic direction.
- Project management and architectural review services for a client in the video surveillance technology industry, as part of an R&D grant awarded by large defense contractor. Managed the clients outsourced software engineering team in Shanghai including multiple trips to Shanghai for analysis and restructuring efforts.
One of the first cloud computing companies in the world.
2004 – 2008, Founder & CEO
Created one of the world's first cloud computing companies to solve the scaling and reliability problems facing growing web companies. The platform leveraged concepts such as geo-weighted DNS, BGP fail-over IP routing, shared-nothing architectures, replicated memory, and transportable session states.
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- Designed and built geographically distributed web platform for LAMP stack applications in 2004. The platform leveraged concepts such geo-weighted DNS, BGP fail-over IP routing, shared-nothing architectures, replicated memory, and transportable session states.
- Acquired beta customers and partners, bringing real-world usage into the development process at the very earliest stages.
- Incorporated market and user feedback into development efforts; altered branding, pricing and marketing approaches as needed.
- Gave many presentations to both customers and potential investors. Led business development efforts at community events and conferences.
- Raised initial angel funding in 2007. Hired core team, and expanded the software platform across an additional four datacenters in the US and Europe.
- Invited to speak at many conferences on distributed and “cloud” computing.
Corporate Internet Group & Capital Markets
2001 – 2004, Lead FX Developer, Web Applications Architect
I served in two roles, initially as lead Online Foreign Exchange Developer and later as Systems Architect in the Commercial Banking Internet Group. I maintained latency sensitive trading applications as well as designed robust enterprise systems.
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- Lead technical architect for Capital Markets sector in the Corporate Internet Group
- Architect for $20mil Commercial Banking Treasury Management portal project
- Led data mapping and validation efforts for conversion to new Treasury Management Web Portal
- Designed security, single-sign-on and entitlements solutions for various commercial banking web projects
- Modeled data interactions and process flows of Wires and ACH transactions through new Treasury Management Portal and planned data conversions
- Planned and documented target systems architecture, including Linux migration strategies and next generation web portals
- Served as technical problem-solver and architecture group subject matter expert for open-source technologies
- Lead developer/architect for new Capital Markets Research portal project, which enabled heavier use of Capital Markets products by Retail banking and other commercial banking groups.
- Designed Web Analytics system combining both internal auditing controls and vendor products.
- Integrated Foreign Exchange trading applications with risk management systems and developed new non-real-time trading interface for Retail banking.
Global law firm
2000 – 2001, Unix Systems Consultant
As a consultant I managed the firms global footprint of unix systems, assisted in migration to new platforms, and designed easier maintenance procedures for in-house staff.
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- Migrated services from legacy Dynix PTX (unix) platform to new Numa PTX systems and prepared for migration to IBM AIX system.
- Designed and automated system back-up, maintenance, and monitoring software and shell scripts improving system survivablity.
- Standardized operations policies and procedures for US and international offices enhancing maintainability despite turnover in operators.
- Installed Apache web servers and developed web interface for simple systems administration in Perl and developed Linux security workstations.
- Intergrated Oracle systems monitoring and status checking into Web interface providing greater visibility to management and less-technical staff.
- Performed basic security auditing of network from outside, highlighting holes and recommending action.
- Developed disaster recovery automation software and checklists.
Electric utility, deregulation project
2000 – 2000, Senior Analyst/Architect, Consultant
I was brought in as a consultant to assist in a deregulation project that opened up the grid to other electricity providers. I assisted in connecting the disparate systems and the data transformation software needed to support them.
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- Provided technical guidance to development staff comprising of in-house and contract employees.
- Developed and coordinated development standards and methods on Sun Solaris and Sybase systems.
- Analyzed existing C and shell code and procedures and recommending improvements and offering new perspectives.
- Assisted in root-cause analysis of various problems and suggested strategic fixes
Motient - ARDIS Network
1999 – 2000, Network Analyst
I was responsible for a traffic data analysis system for the nationwide wireless data network that drove the first BlackBerry device. I helped identify capacity and interference problems as well as outages through custom written software.
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- Designed, built, and maintained information systems used to analyze wireless network traffic using Oracle and SAS on an AIX P-series platform.
- Analyzed wireless network performance, detecting problems, and assisting operations in resolving issues.
- Planned and coordinated code changes to both network systems and information systems to improve management of the wireless network.
- Rewrote all SAS programs improving efficiency 90% while adding functionality and depth of information.
- Completed design, initial development, and testing in 6 months with the following 6 spent adding functions, reports, and ad hoc programming.
- Exposed MIS reporting and simple queery tools to the web via existing Apache servers using Perl.
- Extensive shell scripting to automate data exchanges between systems and processing management.
iDEN wireless voice and data infrastructure
1998 – 1999, Software Engineer
My role was as test, support, and operations engineer for the iDEN network, which drove the Nextel phones. I helped maintain, patch, and release operation software that drove the routing engine for the chirp-to-talk functionality as well as the world's first mobile-IP routing implementation.
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- Performed on-site patch installations and Informix database maintenance functions to real-time unix systems.
- Brought real-world scenarios and experience to testing procedures helping improve the overall product.
- Identified bugs and their solutions and highlighted possible enhancements to meet field needs.
- Developed solutions to field engineering needs by altering existing code mostly Bourne Shell and C
Real-time, multi-source, intelligence op-center
1994 – 1998 ActiveDuty, 1999 - 2000 Reserves, Intelligence Analyst
I served as an intelligence analyst, primarily in real-time multi-source operations centers or supporting live missions. I took on many ancillary roles and became subject matter expert on technical systems needed for the missions.
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Training:
- Mandarin Chinese, DLI
- Imagery Analysis
- Ops use of Intelink via NCSA Mosaic Browser (precursor to internet)
- NSA secure systems administration course
- Real-time data fusion for live operation support
- Target research, analysis, and mission profiling
- Classified material courier (briefcase handcuffed to wrist, etc.)
- OSI pistol qualification course
Operations, Experiments, and events:
Various experiments and exercises:
- Topics include distributed intelligence systems, real-time multi-source fusion, automated analysis and filtering, and others
- Support of other operations in other theaters
- TDYs to DC area for support, collaboration, and training.
- Gave presentations to elected leaders and other decision makers