
Cloud Strategist & CTO
San Francisco Bay Area

Cloud Strategist & CTO
San Francisco Bay Area
Cloud computing pioneer and strategist available for consultation. Built one of the world's first cloud computing management systems (CloudScale Networks) and most recently was VP Technology Strategy at GoGrid, one of the top three U.S. clouds.
CURRENTLY: Providing architecture and cloud strategy consulting for three cloud computing providers:
* GoGrid / ServePath (#3 in U.S. for cloud infrastructure)
* EngineYard (#1 in U.S. for Ruby on Rails platform infrastructure)
* CloudCentral (#1 in Australia for cloud infrastructure)
CONTACT ME if you have an interest in engaging my cloud strategy services. More can be found on my blog and in my one page consulting brief:
* http://cloudscaling.com
* http://tinyurl.com/cloud-strategy-services
Exceptionally deep knowledge of cloud computing and all of it's facets. Recognized thought leader, widely read blog, and cloud twitterer. Provide exceptional value in a short period of time.
Basic services include:
- Discovery & Needs Assessment
- Cloud Strategy Formulation
- Public / Private Cloud Design & Architecture
- Cloud Migration Plans
- Develop Cloud-oriented Web Application Architectures
- Customized Deep-dive Cloud Workshops
- On-demand Counsel and Advisory Services
(Information Technology and Services industry)
June 2008 — Present (1 year 2 months)
Nexenta brings enterprise-class storage to everyone. Their novel ZFS-based storage appliance software (NexentaStor) is breaking new ground in providing high quality storage services at an affordable price point.
Have been involved unofficially (and now officially) as an advisor since 2008. Continue to be keenly involved in helping Nexenta in their continued success as a storage startup.
(Information Technology and Services industry)
March 2006 — Present (3 years 5 months)
I am a subject matter expert for 'cloud computing' and provide strategic consultations and advice to both cloud providers and consumers.
- Discovery & Needs Assessment
- Cloud Strategy Formulation
- Public / Private Cloud Design & Architecture
- Cloud Migration Plans
- Develop Cloud-oriented Web Application Architectures
- Customized Deep-dive Cloud Workshops
Clients include: EngineYard, ServePath, GoGrid, Cloud Central, eGain Communications, and ArchRock.
Download this one page briefing for more: http://tinyurl.com/cloud-strategy-services
(Privately Held; Internet industry)
May 2008 — May 2009 (1 year 1 month)
Originally as a consultant, then as an employee, then as a consultant and trusted advisor again, I provide direction and guidance around business decisions and core technology for the GoGrid (cloud computing) and ServePath (dedicated hosting) brands. I am currently the primary technologist on the executive team acting in a non-operational CTO role.
Responsible for company's new direction and market differentiation around the 'cloudcenter' concept (an on-demand datacenter-in-the-sky). The #3 hit on 'cloudcenter' for Google is my original blog posting on the topic: http://tinyurl.com/cloudcenter
(Computer Software industry)
March 2007 — November 2008 (1 year 9 months)
World's first multi-cloud, multi-platform cloud computing management platform. Sophisticated distributed message bus that wrapped Puppet and collectd allowing dynamic provisioning and management of complete web application stacks. First to manage multi-tier Windows stacks on cloud computing providers.
AKA 'CloudScale Project'
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)
May 2005 — January 2006 (9 months)
Contribute to product marketing, technical pre-sales, post-sales implementation, and business development efforts. Also led multiple engineering efforts, including re-design and implementation of rock solid high-availability clustered network management appliance.
Built sister managed services company, Luminalto, www.luminalto.com. Luminalto offers a variety of managed IT services based around a NOC in India and use of customized commercial and open source tools.
Luminalto eventually absorbed by NetEnrich and now forms it's core business.
Left to take the plunge and start my own business, neoTactics, Inc.
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)
June 2004 — May 2005 (1 year)
kozoru is dedicated to bringing to life next generation search technology that provides specific targeted answers to posed questions.
As one of the first two employees and one of the initial founding members, I worked closely with the kozoru founder and CEO on all aspects of product development and management. My role at kozoru included not only facilitating the work of the developers, architects, linguists, and ontologists, but also maintaining the product roadmap, working hand in hand with sales & marketing, maintaining investor relationships, and acting as the overall product guru. Eventually as timelines and deadlines became more stringent, became very hands on with the operational, QA, and product development. Built the initial v1.0 FreeBSD-based search appliances.
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)
August 2002 — April 2004 (1 year 9 months)
Grand Central Communications was initially a B2B web services integration platform servicing Fortune 500 organizations. It was started by Halsey Minor (CNet) and eventually re-constituted into a new unrelated business focused on voice solutions.
Responsible for all strategic and technical aspects of security across the business, coupled with ongoing product security from implementation, through development, to deployment. Extensive input to product development team on key product security features. Highlighting both GC’s product security features and our internal security controls with our executive team enhanced key account sales and marketing collateral.
Successfully passed security audits of several Fortune 100 companies including GE and Wachovia, which resulted in major sales wins.
(Public Company; 201-500 employees; IAWK.PK; Telecommunications industry)
February 2000 — July 2001 (1 year 6 months)
iAsiaWorks was the first pan-Asian datacenter and ISP business. It was listed on the NASDAQ in August 2000.
Developed initial Pro Services unit business plan, presented to executive management, and was given full support. P&L responsibility for first year included revenue targets of $4.5 million. Built and managed a 15+ consultant pre/post sales proserv organization across 5 countries: Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. Major accounts included Sony, Proctor & Gamble, AT&T, Adecco, OOCL, Double Click, and Hyundai.
Previously, while running the network security department, designed and deployed the first managed vulnerability scanning service based on nCircle technology. This complemented our managed security service offerings.
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)
May 1997 — January 2000 (2 years 9 months)
Dataway was one of the earliest Bay Area Managed Security Services Providers (MSSP), specializing in managed firewalls, IDS, and security audits for enterprise customers.
Hired and led most of the engineering team. Helped build the business from three full-time security engineers to 15+ when I left.
Individually responsible for the architecture and development of their managed security service product based around Checkpoint's Firewall-1.
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)
January 1996 — April 1997 (1 year 4 months)
EdgeNet was the number one independent TN ISP when I began consulting there and was successfully sold to Mindspring after I architected the redesign of their statewide network.
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Telecommunications industry)
June 1994 — November 1995 (1 year 6 months)
InterNex was an early Bay Area ISP that ramped from 1 Point-of-Presence (POP) in Menlo Park to 30+ POPs across California. We eventually built out a nationwide backbone and were acquired by Concentric and then XO communications.
(Public Company; 51-200 employees; CSCO; Computer Hardware industry)
May 1993 — May 1994 (1 year 1 month)
Kalpana was the inventor of the Ethernet switch and eventually purchased by Cisco.
Singlehandedly ran the Novell and UNIX systems for 80+ employees. Designed and ran the Silicon Valley's first fully switched Ethernet network.
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; NUAN; Computer Software industry)
May 1992 — May 1993 (1 year 1 month)
Calera Recognition Systems provided OCR software and was eventually absorbed by Caere/Nuance.
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; TER; Computer Hardware industry)
September 1990 — May 1992 (1 year 9 months)
Megatest provided memory and logic wafer fab test devices. It was eventually absorbed by Teradyne.