Mark is a self-taught hands-on technologist and published author with over 30 years of experience delivering innovative solutions and guiding complex enterprise initiatives. Early in his career, he founded a startup that secured an FDIC RTC contract for document imaging and workflow automation. He later designed and led development of a healthcare application managing 5,700 long-term care facilities, which was nominated by the State of Texas for Best Government-to-Business Application Architecture & Design. Over the past two decades, Mark has served as an independent consultant—often a “hired gun”—for IBM, Sun Microsystems, Big Six consulting firms, Fortune 50 companies, and federal and state government agencies. His areas of expertise encompass AI, securing critical infrastructure & private LTE cores and networks, e-commerce, cybersecurity, systems integration, microservices, blockchain, cryptocurrency, enterprise software engineering, legacy migration to cloud (Azure & AWS), SOA, federated partner integration, and single sign-on. A recognized thought leader, Mark is the founder and host of two prominent monthly meetups: Austin Blockchain Technology (est. July 2015, 2,200+ members) and Hyperledger Austin (est. July 2016, 700+ members). These communities regularly explore the frontiers of blockchain, distributed ledgers, and emerging decentralized technologies. His client portfolio includes LCRA, Epicor, IBM, Sun Microsystems, American Achievement Corp, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Gap Inc., Sprint, FDIC, Texas Department of Human Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, CSX Intermodal, American Airlines, Federated Systems Group, Cap Gemini, EDS Federal, Comcast, Zions National Bank, Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., Federal Reserve Information Technology, United States Postal Service, Primerica Financial Services, Nationwide Insurance, HP, Energen, Manheim Auctions, American Modern Insurance, Accenture, Foremost Insurance, Longaberger Company, Transarc (IBM), Intermedia Communications, MCI, Systems Management Inc., and Huntington Bank.