My career started earlier than most. Instead of a new gadget for graduation, I asked for the fee to get my Colorado Real Estate license. I started out in residential sales and leasing, then stepped into commercial real estate where everything moves faster and carries more weight. That world taught me how to build and read contracts, dig through records, and present information in a concise manner. I went from helping with homes to learning how to close deals for companies like Albertson’s and Jimmy John’s, which gave me a real look at how larger operations make decisions.

After a few years, I fled the big business warzone to join the United States Air Force as a Jet Troop engine mechanic for the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, more commonly referred to as the Warthog.  I spent six years learning the fundamentals of teamwork, proper maintenance practices, and acute attention to detail working Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance (JEIM) back shop and test cell roles supporting both the General Electric TF-34-100A Turbofan and the Rolls- Royce T56 Turboprop engines. 

After completing my military commitment, I followed the path of least resistance into the world of DoD contract work. Initially the change was only in uniform from ABUs to jeans and a t-shirt.  Eventually, I was invited further into the private sector with a family owned aerospace research and development company, Aerovation, Inc.  I enjoyed a heavy download of information and learned from the absolute brightest maintainers and engineers I had ever known.  This was an incredible refining period in my life and one of the best jobs I think I will ever have had. My experience there gave me ‘the big picture’ perspective and launched me down a trajectory filled with complex systems, intricate builds and precision operating procedures.  My skills in operational security (OPSEC), off-site and remote engine testing automation and system configuration and programming grew ten-fold. 

I few years back, I made a decision to break away from the herd and start my own venture so that I could spend more time with my son.  This initially led me down a path in distributed ledger technology, blockchain applications and automated trading with crypto-currency options but has since transformed into so much more. 

In 2022, Open AI released Chat GPT to the world and I can hardly see the starting line anymore.  With lots of coffee and a shiny new tool in hand, I hunkered down and got to work. Dark Horses USA has since blossomed into a high functioning web and tech development ecosystem consisting of fast, reliable website hosting, custom workflow automations and passionate vision of empowering every high functioning individual with solutions to help take ownership of, prepare for and execute the mission they are on.

I bring over a decade of experience working with cutting edge engineering systems in the aerospace industry ranging from live mission support to R&D off-site testing.  Carrying my military experience and training into the private sector allowed for a transformative experience and exposed me to a world of magnificent data acquisition systems and information technology operations that I instantly fell in love with.  

My professional experience is rooted in solving complex problems with efficient solutions and my mission with Dark Horses USA is exactly the same:  To cultivate, test and execute modern solutions to problems.  

It’s not all work and no play around here though… I enjoy watching my son play hockey and coaching his youth hockey team.  The value and life lessons that youth sports teach is so important and I am grateful he has the opportunity to play and I, to coach.   We also enjoy going on bike rides, playing video games together and arguing with each other.  It is a truly amazing experience when you can actually argue with yourself… very introspective and highly recommended for those who haven’t experienced it.

Other hobbies I have include gardening, building self-sustaining systems and cooking… well, grilling mostly.  My ultimate goal and mission is to create an ecosystem of tools and solutions that allow individuals to harness technology to gain back ownership of their time.  During our lifetimes, we have the privilege of witnessing some of the most incredible technological advancements in human history.  That’s the opportunity, it’s our actions now that will define the trajectory of what’s to come. I don’t even really know what that means but I liked the way it sounds for a strong finish to this magnificent piece about myself…  I’ll see you out there🤙🏼