Hi, I'm Stephen
I help businesses get more from AI than a good-sounding answer — built into the actual work and checked before anyone relies on it. If you keep me on, I measure it every month.
I came to this as an operator. I founded my first company in 1996, and since then I've founded and run businesses and led sales and business development at firms including VeriSign and Zeta Global. So I start where you do: revenue, margins, and customers. The technology comes second.
I'm also the builder. I taught myself to code, and over two decades I've founded SaaS products and shipped production AI systems that serve thousands of users — the kind of work where the model is the easy part and everything around it is the job. I build what I recommend, and I'll tell you when something isn't worth building.
As a published author—including works on applying AI in business—I explain complex ideas in plain English.
Featured Appearances
Sharing insights on AI implementation, technology strategy, and the future of work
Featured Reel — Acta Non Verba
Marcus Aurelius Anderson highlights the episode: using AI as a tool for career advancement rather than viewing it as a threat.
Acta Non Verba with Marcus Aurelius Anderson
AI Implementation, Resume Optimization Strategies, The Future of AI, and Authentic Information in the Digital Age
Experience
AI Strategy, Implementation & Deployment
Independent
Designing, building, checking, and measuring custom AI systems for businesses.
Founder & Sole Developer
PreIntake.ai
Building an AI-powered legal intake screening platform for law firms with Claude AI.
Founder & Sole Developer
Team Build Pro
Built and published an AI coaching app for direct-sales teams on the App Store and Google Play, with coaching in 4 languages.
Founder & Sole Developer
C-Suite Diversity
Built and launched an executive recruitment platform connecting diverse leadership candidates with companies.
Chief Executive Officer
Direct Sales Consulting
Advised direct-sales organizations on recruitment, retention, sales training, marketing, and technology.
Founder & Sole Developer
Team Building Project
Built and ran a global SaaS platform for direct-sales professionals, and recruited and trained the sales managers who grew it internationally.
Vice President, Sales & Business Development
OVGuide.com
Negotiated content distribution partnerships with major broadcast networks.
Vice President, Sales & Business Development
Zeta Global
Won new business with large enterprise clients.
Founder & Sole Developer
Inter-Netsites
Taught myself to code, then designed, built, and ran a web hosting and domain registration platform with an automated referral program.
Western Regional Manager
VeriSign
Ran a regional sales operation with full P&L responsibility and built its consultative sales training.
Founder & CEO
NameDirectNow
Founded and built a web hosting and domain name registration company.
Published Author
Independent
Published author, including AI-focused titles on implementing artificial intelligence in business.
Technical Expertise
AI & Machine Learning
- Claude API (Anthropic)
- OpenAI API
- RAG Implementation
- Prompt Engineering
- Tool-Use Architecture
- AI Strategy
Frontend Development
- Flutter / Dart
- JavaScript / TypeScript
- Astro
- Tailwind CSS
- HTML5 / CSS3
Backend Development
- Node.js
- Firebase Cloud Functions
- Express.js
- REST APIs
- Serverless Architecture
- Google Cloud
Databases & Infrastructure
- Firestore
- Firebase Realtime DB
- Cloud Storage
- Firebase Hosting
- Google Cloud Run
- CI/CD Pipelines
Education
University of North Dakota
Location
Los Angeles, California