The human behind the résumé.
A curiosity that started with a borrowed computer, shaped by hard-won lessons, a series of missions, and the belief that technology should bring people closer together.
It started with a question.
My path to technology started before I knew a “technology career” was even a thing. My dad worked for Arthur Andersen Consulting in the eighties, and one day he brought home this “portable” computer that was anything but. Naturally, I took it apart to see how it worked. My dad was less than thrilled, but that moment sparked something in me.
From then on, I was the kid who always asked, “But how does this work?” That curiosity has been the running theme of my life.
In high school, I paid for lunches by writing games on the TI-82 calculator and sharing them with friends. Years later, I met someone across the country who still had one of my games on their calculator. That’s when I knew I was onto something.
Although I originally thought I’d become a teacher, I pivoted to computer science — where my curiosity found new fuel.
But how does this work?
Lessons that shaped me.
I wouldn’t be who I am without the people who invested in me along the way — professors, managers, founders, and peers who each taught me something I still carry. Here’s what stuck:
Care about people, not just technology
Early in my career, a professor held me to exacting technical standards but led with empathy — supporting me through personal challenges alongside academic ones. He showed me that technical excellence without genuine care for people isn’t excellence at all.
Persistence through discomfort is where growth happens
In grad school, I struggled academically for the first time. A mentor encouraged me to push through rather than retreat. That experience taught me to sit with the discomfort of not knowing — a skill I’ve relied on in every turnaround since.
Lead people, not just systems
Managing an e-commerce platform with 165 engineers taught me that the difference between managing technology and leading humans is vast. The best technical architecture means nothing if you can’t align the people building it.
Stay composed when pressure spikes
Working under a leader who juggled engineering crises, public relations, and customer relationships simultaneously — without breaking stride — showed me what operational composure looks like. I’ve tried to carry that into every high-pressure moment since.
Turn conflict into alignment
A CEO I worked with had a gift for transforming disagreement into consensus. Watching him navigate stakeholders with patience and precision taught me that relationship management isn’t soft skill — it’s the hardest skill.
A career of missions.
I think of my career as a series of missions — little bets, each one building on the last, all pointed toward the same north star: building experiences that bring humans closer together.
Brands →
Video Games →
Dating →
Immersive Experiences →
AI
Along the way, I’ve spent time in the trenches learning payments, compliance, infrastructure, fraud, and operations — because you can’t fix the pipes if you don’t understand the whole system.
I’m passionate about creating human-AI ecosystems that leverage technology to enhance our innate human creativity, empathy, and authentic connection. I believe AI should empower us without replacing the human element.
The products I’m proudest of — Emmy-winning interactive experiences, AI that gives security teams breathing room, platforms serving millions of users — all share this DNA. Technology in service of people, not the other way around.
Running lean creates space for innovation. Innovation creates experiences that bring people closer together.
Beyond the terminal.
I’ve come to truly value the importance of family, friends, and a support network outside of work. For many years, I didn’t fully appreciate how crucial that is. My satisfaction in life and career really flourished when I understood what I had and drew inspiration from it.
Adventure
My wife and I recently hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: four days, 26 miles, and 13,000 feet of elevation. It was something I’d wanted to do since I was five — and while it was challenging (especially with a sprained ankle), I came back completely energized.
Service
I volunteer for my local search and rescue organization. It’s both fulfilling and refreshing — a nice change of pace to take orders instead of giving them, follow a procedure, and help people in need.
Building
I’m a tinkerer. I love building things with my hands — whether it’s home automation projects or furniture like bookshelves and tables. There’s something deeply satisfying about stepping back and saying, “I built that.”
Laughter
I love a good joke. I love laughter interwoven with the work we do. I don’t like to take myself too seriously. Let’s have fun.
Want to know how I lead?
My leadership philosophy, decision-making framework, and operating cadence — all in one place.