Distinguished Technology Leader with 21 years of experience leading digital transformations, AI integrations, and platform modernizations for Fortune 500 companies. Expert in enterprise architecture strategy, cloud migration (Azure/AWS/GCP), and AI-driven development using tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and Claude for agentic solutions. Published bestselling author on AI (#1 Amazon bestseller) and Cloud Technologies with proven track record of delivering complex multi-year projects while building and mentoring high-performing engineering teams. Active in technical education as adjunct faculty and AI program advisory board member.

Professional Experience

Principal Software Architect

Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions
May 2022 – Present

• Shaping the development of Toshiba's award-winning ELERA retail platform (recognized as "Commerce Experience Management Platform of the Year" 2024) spanning on-prem, cloud, and e-commerce solutions through enterprise architecture strategy, governance, and best practices.
• Govern platform-critical API suite (550+ APIs) through Architecture Review Board ownership, supporting consumer apps, ETL toolkits, and BI solutions.
• Own architectural vision and design for marketplace initiative enabling monetization of third-party integrations with pipeline ranging from $100K-$1M+ per integration.
• Lead solution architecture for 4 tier 1/2 grocery retailers from conceptual workshops through pilot implementation.
• Created organization-wide documentation framework and standards for all solution architecture deliverables.
• Provide technical leadership for AI integration using GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and Claude for agentic solutions.
• Design and implement Azure cloud solutions with CI/CD pipelines for containerized deployments.
• Contribute to R&D initiatives, including patent applications for innovative retail technologies.
• Mentor and guide architects and developers transitioning to cloud and microservices architectures.

Senior Software Architect – Platform Modernization

Flooid
May 2021 – May 2022

• Directed a critical platform modernization initiative transforming a legacy Java monolithic application into a cloud-native microservices SaaS platform.
• Architected and developed POC services proving concepts and design patterns for organization-wide adoption.
• Made critical software, framework, and toolkit decisions impacting entire engineering organization.
• Developed standards and automation ensuring consistency, performance, stability, and security.
• Mentored architects and developers through cloud and microservice transition.

Lead Architect & Engineering Manager

Luma Financial Technologies
May 2019 – May 2021

• Served dual role as Lead Architect and Engineering Manager for Luma's award-winning structured products platform serving Fortune 500 financial partners.
• Architected and provided complex projects on SRP award-winning platform for Fortune 500 partners.
• Organized Enterprise Architecture framework implementation (TOGAF).
• Managed multiple engineering teams totaling 20 individuals across offshore, nearshore, and onshore resources.
• Architected migration of legacy ColdFusion application to microservices platform utilizing AWS (EC2, SQS, S3, Lambda).
• Managed architecture oversight group ensuring adherence to principles and best practices.
• Designed and documented external API platform serving multiple client integrations.
• Implemented domain-driven design principles for microservices architecture.

Solutions Architect & Development Manager

PCMS Datafit
December 2011 – May 2019

• Executed 9 multi-year projects valued at $1-5M annually for Fortune-ranked retailers across varied market segments.
• Pioneered organization's first internationalized (i18n) solution deployment for international retailer.
• Supported global implementations complying with GDPR, linguistic legislation, and DoD security requirements.
• Completed first government project as Solutions Architect for VA-sponsored implementation (SAC Adjudication required).
• Mentored 4-6 interns annually with 75% receiving full-time offers, plus entry-level developer hires.
• Contributed to creation of university internship program.
• Guided cross-functional teams as technical leader, manager, and scrum master.
• Implemented performance optimization and monitoring solutions across retail platforms.

IT Project Coordinator and Researcher

Saint Louis University
2004 – 2007

• Conducted university-wide research surveying 36+ faculty members across all programs, resulting in 30+ foundational changes to e-learning platforms.
• Created training portal for faculty, staff, and students delivering IT infrastructure education.
• Supported in-house education platform and assisted with initial Blackboard implementation.

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Team Lead & Reports Developer

Best Buy
2004 – 2007

• Developed and automated sales reporting systems for 7-store region generating $100M annual revenue.
• Analyzed sales data providing insights that increased attachment rates for high-margin service plans and warranties by up to 300%.
• Managed team initiatives to improve operational efficiency and customer experience.

Teaching & Advisory Experience

Advisory Board Member – Strategic AI Program

Ashland University
2023 – Present

• Present market challenges and insights to refine academic AI program curriculum through quarterly board meetings.
• Mentor board members and faculty on addressing global AI challenges.
• Provide material and guidance to instructors for practical AI applications.

Adjunct Faculty – Computer Science

Southern New Hampshire University
2021 – Present

• Teach 8 courses annually reaching approximately 192 students per year.
• Guide and support students from diverse professional backgrounds.
• Develop and coordinate online learning programs.

Adjunct Faculty – Computer Science

Central Texas College
2021 – Present

• Guide up to 5 courses annually in diverse computer science topics including AI and cloud technologies.
• Provide computer science education to 75+ students per year.
• Develop online learning initiatives and curriculum improvements.

Teaching Assistant – Computer Science & Mathematics

Saint Louis University
2003 – 2005

• Taught three sections of Computer Science laboratory courses and Discrete Mathematics.
• Graded assignments and exams for faculty members.
• Provided individual and group tutoring sessions for students.

Publications

Digital Foundations Series

Artificial Intelligence: A Practical Guide to Understanding AI

• #1 Amazon Information Management New Books bestseller
• Covers AI topics from policy, governance, and practical implementation perspectives
• amazon.com/dp/B0FCY2BC1T

Cloud Technologies

• Addresses digital transformation with real-world case studies
• Designed for cross-disciplinary conversational fluency on cloud technologies
• amazon.com/gp/product/B0FHWXR6PD

Education and Certifications

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Southern New Hampshire University

Master of Science (M.S.) in Software Engineering

Regis University (Graduate Honors)

Graduate Certificate – Enterprise Java Development

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science

Xavier University

Certifications

• WebSphere Application Server Administration
• Microsoft Azure Administrator (In Progress)
• AICPA & CIMA Data Analytics Core Concepts
• AICPA – Coaching and Mentoring
• HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certified

Professional Affiliations

• Association of Computing Machinery (ACM)
• IEEE - Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society
• IEEE Nanotechnology Council & Biometrics Council
• Upsilon Pi Epsilon - International Honor Society for Computing
• Sigma Tau Delta (Alpha Phi Beta Chapter) - International English Honor Society
• Delta Mu Delta - International Honors Society of Business
• The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)

Community Leadership

• Scouting America - 20+ years of leadership including District Chair of Activities
• The Rissover Foundation - President and Executive Director (rissoverfoundation.org)
• Faces Without Places - Activities Coordinator
• Sigma Tau Gamma - Vice President of Programs and Chapter Advisor