My New Chapter in AI
Principal Solutions Architect at Cake.ai
I am thrilled to announce that I’ve joined Cake.ai as a Principal Solutions Architect. This is more than a new title – it’s the next step in an AI journey I began in 2022. Two years ago I dove head-first into the world of artificial intelligence, and that leap transformed my career path. Now, with over 30 years in tech behind me, I’m embracing this role to push boundaries in AI innovation and share a few reflections on how I got here.
The Journey That Began in 2022
Back in 2022, I challenged myself to transition from traditional software leadership into the burgeoning arena of AI. I immersed myself in generative AI and agentic AI systems – AI agents capable of autonomous reasoning. Over these past couple of years I’ve developed deep expertise in large language models and intelligent agents, striving to “push the boundaries of AI to create transformative solutions for complex challenges”. Each project added to my understanding of how AI agents think, learn, and collaborate. This new role at Cake.ai lets me channel that knowledge into architecting solutions that truly learn and adapt.
Open-Source Roots, Private Data Values
One principle I carry into this role is a strong belief in the power of open-source and the importance of data privacy. In my view, innovation thrives when we build on open platforms and respect the boundaries of private data. Over the last few years I’ve been driving AI innovation through open-source tools and research, always with an eye on safe, effective enterprise integration. This philosophy led me to propose the Codebase Context Specification (CCS) – an open standard to help AI coding agents understand a project’s context. (Think of it as giving AI a shared language to comprehend your codebase’s “big picture.”) By contributing to projects like CCS and its companion tool dotcontext, I aim to help the developer community leverage AI while keeping sensitive information secure. The balance between openness and privacy isn’t just talk for me; it’s baked into how I design systems. Expect me to uphold these values at Cake.ai, ensuring that our AI solutions are both cutting-edge and trustworthy.
From Lokion to New Horizons (Memphis and Beyond)
No journey happens in isolation. Before stepping fully into AI, I cut my teeth leading major projects at Lokion in Memphis – an experience that grounded me in real-world problem solving. I had the privilege of spearheading product development there, including our indoor mapping platform Aegir Maps, and even serving as VP of Strategy. Those years taught me how to align technology with business needs, and I’m grateful to my Lokion colleagues for the achievements we shared. One milestone I’m particularly proud of is co-inventing a geo-location indoor mapping technology as part of the Aegir Maps initiative, which earned us a U.S. patent. Translating physical spaces into digital maps was a complex challenge – and solving it gave me a lasting appreciation for bridging worlds with tech.
As I step into this new role, I also carry forward a bit of Memphis in me. To my former teammates and friends back in Memphis: I haven’t forgotten where we started. The tech world is bigger than any one city, and there’s a world of opportunities beyond our backyard. I encourage you to keep exploring and innovating – don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re curious about what I’m up to or looking for new horizons yourselves. Sometimes the next big thing lies just outside the comfort zone we’ve known. I’m happy to be a sounding board or ally as you consider the leap.
Ongoing Innovation: Agentic Insights & CodebaseContext
Joining Cake.ai is a new chapter, but it doesn’t mean the story stops elsewhere. I remain deeply involved in the AI community through some passion projects and platforms I’ve built:
Agentic Insights (Substack) – My ongoing newsletter and blog where I share perspectives on generative AI trends and “agentic technology advancements”. It’s a place I write candidly about what I’m learning, experimenting with, and envisioning for AI’s future. (Yes, I even started a podcast under the Agentic Insights banner – because there’s always more to discuss!) If you’re interested in the cutting edge of AI agents, I invite you to follow along at agenticinsights.substack.com. My goal is to make complex AI topics accessible and to spark conversation about where this technology is headed.
CodebaseContext.org (CCS) – As mentioned earlier, this is an open-source initiative close to my heart. We’re developing the Codebase Context Specification, a convention to help both AI and humans understand a codebase’s architecture and context at a glance. Think of it as leveling up documentation for the AI era – akin to combining a good README with an AI’s system prompt. I believe tools like this will be key as AI gets further integrated into software development workflows. You can check out codebasecontext.org to see how this spec is evolving and even try it out in your own projects. It’s free, open, and developed with the community – exactly how I believe foundational tech should be built.
In short, my journey in AI is an ongoing adventure. Taking on the Principal Solutions Architect role at Cake.ai is a milestone, but I’ll continue wearing other hats – researcher, open-source contributor, mentor – because that’s what drives me. Each role informs the other: what I learn in my personal R&D fuels creative solutions for clients, and vice versa.
Join Me in the AI Journey
Stepping into this position, I’m energized by both the challenges and opportunities ahead. AI is moving fast, and it’s a space where we all need to support each other in learning and growing. So, I’d like to end this announcement not as a conclusion, but as an open invitation:
🔹 Let’s connect: Whether you’re an old colleague, a fellow AI enthusiast, or just curious about this field, feel free to reach out. I’m always up for a conversation about new ideas or collaborations.
🔹 Follow the research: If you want to keep up with the insights and projects I’ll be sharing, follow my updates on Agentic Insights and the work on Codebase Context. I plan to post about the wins and the lessons learned, and I welcome your thoughts and feedback.
🔹 Stay engaged in AI: The AI landscape is evolving in meaningful ways, and there’s room for all of us to shape its direction. Let’s continue to learn openly, share generously, and build responsibly. Whether it’s through comments, messages, or working together on a project, I hope we stay engaged.
Thank you for reading this far. I’m excited to start this new chapter at Cake.ai and to continue this journey with all of you. Here’s to exploring what’s next in AI, together. 🚀