Experience

Application security, cybersecurity, and technical operations leadership across regulated gaming and distributed environments

Vice President — IT Operations — Highland Consulting

2011 – Present·Austin, TX

dba New Market Entertainment, eTabs Inc., Manatee Bingo, and VSweeps

Cybersecurity, Infrastructure & Technical

Led application security, cybersecurity, secure software development, infrastructure, and technical operations across regulated gaming, cloud systems, distributed field environments, and internally developed applications.
Performed secure code review and OWASP-based web application testing across internal systems, identifying authentication, authorization, injection, business logic, configuration, and deployment risks.
Conducted white-box and black-box application security assessments, including exploit validation, custom proof-of-concept scripting, findings documentation, remediation guidance, and retesting.
Applied secure SDLC practices across internally developed products, including threat modeling, secure design review, code review, dependency review, secrets management, CI/CD security checks, and production hardening.
Improved endpoint, wireless, remote access, and cloud security through service exposure review, patching, hardening, credential management, secure configuration, least-privilege access, and cloud security improvements.
Built and maintained cloud-connected systems for telemetry, accounting, analytics, reporting, deployment automation, application monitoring, and operational workflows.
Monitored SIEM/ELK-style security telemetry, investigated suspicious activity, reviewed logs, triaged alerts, and implemented remediations across distributed environments.
Built and supported market-specific applications, including a Unity-based electronic pull-tab platform tailored to Florida statutory requirements that generated over seven figures in revenue.
Led deployment, support, and technical operations for distributed gaming systems across multiple states and regulated operating environments.
Advised on product strategy, launch readiness, infrastructure planning, security posture, and execution in regulated and emerging markets, including a project forecasted to generate eight figures in income.
Partnered with regulators, operators, customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to align systems and operations with licensing, compliance, security, and business requirements.
Led AI development efforts using frontier models for product development, software engineering, marketing design, production-grade asset generation, analytics, and business intelligence.

Prior Experience

Culinary arts and hospitality

Sous Chef — Baylor Club

Aug 2014 – Jun 2015·Waco, TX

Played a key role on the opening team for a high-volume club and event operation, taking on significant leadership responsibility across kitchen setup, staff coordination, premium service, and large-scale event execution.
Helped launch and organize multiple stadium kitchens and event service areas, establishing operational readiness, stocking processes, and back-of-house workflow.
Led food service execution for private events ranging from small gatherings to large functions serving over 1,000 guests.
Trained, supervised, and coordinated a team of 20–30 staff members, supporting consistent execution in fast-paced, high-expectation environments.
Supported premium service operations in executive suites during football season, delivering high-quality hospitality for major donors and VIP guests.
Stepped into expanded leadership responsibilities during a period of transition, performing many functions typically handled at the executive sous chef level before the position was formally filled.
Managed the alumni private dining room as expo and kitchen manager for an extended period, overseeing service coordination, staff issues, and daily kitchen operations.
Worked closely with the sales team to develop tasting menus for prospective clients and translate event expectations into executable kitchen plans.
Managed inventory, supply ordering, and cost control across private events and daily operations while maintaining quality and service standards.

Sous Chef — Hotel Indigo Waco — Baylor

Apr 2013 – Aug 2014·Waco, TX

Managed day-to-day kitchen operations in a hotel setting, supporting consistent food quality, efficient service, and successful event execution.
Prepared dinner service using standardized recipes to ensure consistency, quality, and presentation.
Supervised kitchen staff and coordinated back-of-house operations to maintain workflow and service efficiency.
Worked with front-of-house leadership, event coordinators, and clients to support private events and guest expectations.
Improved consistency and reduced waste through recipe standardization and better operational discipline.
Contributed to a reliable service environment through team coordination, preparation planning, and quality control.

Associate of Applied Science, Culinary Arts — Texas State Technical College — Waco

2010 – 2015·Waco, TX

Completed culinary arts training covering kitchen operations, food preparation, restaurant management, and hospitality service.