We make AI useful.
Not theoretical. Not hype. Useful.
This is a gathering of people who've spent their careers making technology actually work — and who believe AI is too important to leave to the hype cycle. Builders, strategists, educators, operators. People who've been in the room when things go sideways and know how to make them go right.
I've spent 30 years facilitating that kind of work. The hard part was never the tech — it was getting the right minds in the same room and pointed in the same direction. That's what this is. A convening of people who see what's coming and refuse to wait for permission.
AI isn't magic. It's a tool. We help organizations figure out if it's the right tool, and if so, how to use it without breaking everything.
No jargon. No black boxes. Just honest answers from people who've done this before.
The Ascent — the last 5 pitches
Maryville University
Chief Future Officer /
Chief Innovation Officer
2021 – Present
Revolutionizing the software that powers higher education. Building the tools that should have existed years ago.
Salesforce
VP of Innovation
2017 – 2021
Helped Fortune 500 customers see around corners. Finding where innovation actually lives — not where everyone's already looking.
UT System
Chief Digital Officer
2015 – 2017
Helped construct Admiral McRaven's "quantum leap" — UTx. Rethinking what a public university system could be.
Robots and Pencils
CEO, USA
2014 – 2015
Brought the love to the US. 35th fastest growing tech company. 3,400% growth. That's not a typo.
Seton Hill University
VP & CIO
2009 – 2014
Yeah, I was the one who did "iPads for Everyone" in higher ed. 2010. Before it was a thing. CIO100 Award. Apple Award. Changed the game.
There's more. A lot more. But you get the idea — we've been doing this since before most AI models were born. The climb continues, and the best part is who's on the rope. LinkedIn if you're curious.