About Me
Lifelong problem-solver combining deep technical expertise, business leadership, and hands-on innovation to tackle complex challenges—using cutting-edge AI to create meaningful solutions for businesses and communities
My Story
My journey into AI began when a friend shared his experience using an early research version of GPT-2 for billion-dollar contract synthesis. This revelation, combined with Harrison Chase's Chat with Data Challenge, led me to explore LangChain for generating investment white papers. Not only did it streamline processes, but it also helped uncover potential fraud that could have led to SEC violations. Excited by these results, I began sharing my code and connecting with others in the community, which ultimately led to my role as a LangChain Ambassador.
As Head of Engineering and Finance at Always Cool Brands, I've witnessed firsthand how AI has revolutionized our entire business operations. We've transformed traditional business processes into dynamic, intelligent systems that adapt and learn. This integration of AI across our organization has enhanced our forecasting accuracy, streamlined operations, and enabled data-driven decision making at every level. The impact has been transformative, dramatically improving both the quality of our work and the speed at which we can execute in ways that would have been impossible just a few years ago.
A defining moment in my leadership journey occurred during my deployment into the Third Marine Air Wing in 2003. When a virus crippled the network during a critical combined arms exercise, leadership found me—a firefighter with a background in network consulting—to help restore operations. This experience taught me that rank and title matter less than respect and preparation, a principle I later applied at Oracle where my team achieved a 51% reduction in outage minutes across 64 data centers across the globe powering Oracles SaaS applications.
The Austin LangChain AIMUG (AI Middleware User Group) emerged from my desire to learn and grow alongside others passionate about AI innovation. What started as a small group has evolved into a thriving community of over 1,000 members. We're now expanding into hackathons, collaborative projects, and conference presentations, with seven of our members presenting at MLOps World. Our success stories include members who've transformed from fearing job instability to becoming vital assets in their organizations.
Through Key Bank's Mosaic team, I consult with investment banks and fund managers to help them understand technology's impact on their investment sectors and portfolio companies. This unique perspective at the intersection of finance and technology has been invaluable in shaping my approach to direct-to-consumer (D2C) strategies at Always Cool Brands. The synergy between high-level strategic consulting and hands-on business operations continually pushes me to refine my strategies and share insights with brilliant peers.
AI Vision & Innovation
AI is woven into everything we do—from Grammarly for communication to fine-tuned LoRa adapters, and everything in between. As a LangChain Ambassador, I focus on fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and advocating for responsible, practical AI applications. Our approach at Always Cool Brands demonstrates how AI can save time and money at every level while allowing us to scale our impact well beyond our current staffing. This integration enables us to streamline processes, focus on higher-level problem-solving, and continue driving innovation in sustainable supply chain solutions.
Community & Education
The Austin LangChain AIMUG embodies our commitment to "learning in the open." We're partnering with local colleges to mentor students and bridge the gap between academia and industry. Our community's growth from a handful of enthusiasts to over 1,000 members reflects the power of collaborative learning. We're expanding into hackathons, fostering team projects, and speaking at major conferences, all while maintaining our core philosophy of open knowledge sharing and mutual support.
Future of Supply Chain
I envision a future where barcode data becomes a gateway to comprehensive product information—from provenance and composability to health benefits and producer stories. AI is democratizing access to this information, enabling real-time queries from consumers while helping businesses ensure compliance and optimize sustainability. At Always Cool Brands, we're working to eliminate harmful dyes, additives, and unnecessary ingredients from our food supply through AI-powered analysis, tracking, and compliance monitoring. This technology-driven approach is key to building consumer trust and creating a healthier food ecosystem.
© 2025, All Rights Reserved.
Quick Links
Legal Stuff