About Me

I’ve always clicked on About Me pages, too — so thanks for stopping by.

Today

I’m actively available for advisory engagements, speaking, podcast interviews, and peer conversations with founders and executives. I’m a Fractional CTO focused on AI strategy, architecture, and technical leadership at inflection points.

I’m currently Fractional CTO at Equivalent Smart Graphics, an AI-powered accessible SVG solutions company. After six years leading network operations at The Walt Disney Studios, I’ve returned to building and advising at the intersection of AI/ML, network architecture, and operational leadership.

I’m an inventor on U.S. Patent No. 12,360,789, applying machine learning to optimize cloud networking file transfers, and recipient of the Disney Inventor Award for AI-driven network automation.

The Entrepreneurial Journey

I’ve founded and operated 5+ companies across technology, aviation, photography, and retail:

• Sheep’s Clothing (2010–2015): Built a specialty retail business from scratch to successful exit, growing revenue 10x.
• Hyak Photography (2009–2015): Built a commercial photography business serving Pacific Northwest clients.
• Hyakdev.com (2005–2010): Business consulting, web design, and network/WiFi sales for condominiums and hotels across the Pacific Northwest.
• Avitus Aviation Corp (2001–2010): Founded and ran an aviation leasing company, managing aircraft, pilots, and operations.
• 5GuysTech.com (1997–2001): Managed services and web hosting during the dot-com boom.
• PowerSurge Technologies / FastServers.net (1995–1996): Co-founded one of the early dedicated server hosting companies.

These ventures taught me that technology is only part of the equation. Success comes from understanding customers, managing risk, building teams, and executing relentlessly.

Corporate Leadership

Between entrepreneurial ventures, I spent 25+ years in corporate technology roles. At Disney, I unified fragmented operations teams, cut outages by 97%, and introduced AI/ML into production environments.

I still enjoy getting hands-on with design and tools. You’ll find some helper scripts and snippets on my GitHub gists.

Aviation & Systems Thinking

I served as President of Avitus Aviation Corp and remain a licensed pilot. Aviation underscored how process and procedures aren’t bureaucracy — they’re what save lives. Checklists, crew resource management, and a no-fault culture of safety translate remarkably well into technology leadership and consulting. My family is in medicine, and I studied medical systems thinking in school and through deep exposure at medical conferences, so I see strong parallels between aviation and medical systems thinking — and yes, that biology degree has been unexpectedly useful in tech leadership (wink).

Personally

Outside of work, I cycle, tinker with embedded electronics, and build hobby projects. I’m drawn to both digital and analog worlds — from micropython on ESP32 chips to vacuum tube experiments.

I’ve also been a Cisco-certified engineer and an international award-winning photographer, reflecting the breadth of my interests.

Work With Me

I’m currently available for:

• Advisory engagements with founders and executives at inflection points
• Speaking and podcast interviews on AI/ML, leadership, network architecture, and operational transformation
• Fractional CTO work focused on AI strategy, architecture, and technical leadership

If you have something interesting, reach out on LinkedIn.

PS: I’m grateful every day for my wife, a teacher and an amazing person, who supports me in everything I do.