I scale startups — building the operational infrastructure that turns early-stage chaos into sustainable growth. I've done this across fintech, adtech, and now defense, most recently as COO at Kard ($0→$10M run rate; built partnerships, compliance, finance, HR, marketing, prod eng teams) and Head of Operations at Upwave (scaling from seed through Series B).
I studied computer science and Russian at Duke, where I now stay involved as a mentor. After growing up in North Carolina then living in both New York City and San Francisco, I currently call Florida home.
- VP of Product & Partnerships at SBCC — Connecting defense tech portfolio companies to the vendors and capital they need to get technology to the warfighter faster. Building a platform that aligns private market investment with government funding priorities.
- Angel investing — Backing early-stage companies across sectors I love:
- REISSUED — Running the business side of my brother's YouTube channel focused on finding and 'reissuing' thrifted finds with impeccable design.
Tactical startup advice:
EOY Checklist · Employee Appreciation Done Well · Setting an Operational Cadence · Evaluating Startup Offers · Avoiding Delegation Downfalls · Creating Company Culture · Writing a User Guide · Interview: Adam Lawrence
Other life thoughts:
Rebranding Oneself · Permanent Packing List · Life Needs More Dinner Parties · Times I Tried Too Hard
Recommendations:
Your Life is Driven by Network Effects · How to Avoid Half-Heartedness · The Trap of Ambitious Goals · The Fountainhead · Good to Great · Penelope Trunk · The Untethered Soul · The Update, The Vent, and The Disaster · The Small Group · Some Practical Thoughts on Suicide · Gary Poster · The Courage to Be Disliked · Wes Kao
I live on the Emerald Coast and can be found flying, diving, playing tennis, lifting heavy, and fan-girling fighter jets. If you're visiting the area and like those things too, reach out.