CV
Two decades of building, with the through-line being software that meets people where they actually live and work. The current chapter is Synova, but the lineage runs back to a cable TV business on a Native American reservation in the rural Northwoods.
Companies
Sitecast
2013 to presentFounder & CEO
The culmination of two decades of building tools for content creators. Site builder, cloud-based IDE, and API integrations, with on-the-fly SSL and serverless deployment from the early years. Recent focus is AI-driven automation: autonomous agents built on a succession of model generations, plus vertical products like Rex the Rental Copilot for the powersport rental industry. Built and run with Rubie Gauthier (COO/Engineer).
Academy on the Go
2011 to 2015Co-Founder & CTO
Grew to 5,000+ enrolled students offering condensed, research-based courses in soft skills, health, peak performance, money, and business. Web-based activity tracker, goal tracker, and integrated achievement software. Paused to focus on Sitecast.
Visible North
2008 to 2011Principal & Creative Designer
Marketing firm specializing in website development and online campaigns across resorts, cruises, publications, and e-commerce. Photography, conversion rate optimization, and search strategy. Hosted workshops on emerging marketing methods.
Precision Computer Solutions
1998 to 2007Owner & Lead Technician
Website design, computer building and repair, and electronics installation for local businesses. Started as a freshman in high school. Notable client: a major sound stage in New York City.
Gauthier Cablevision & Electric
1992 to 2007Technician's Apprentice
Worked alongside my father Chuck on a Native American reservation cable television business. Learned the build, troubleshoot, and repair of satellites, cable transmissions, amplifiers, plus construction and vehicle repair. Solo responsibility for the community TV channel: operation, design, and maintenance.
Community
Regional Economic Development Corporation
2018 to presentDirector
Board work on expanding high-speed internet and cellular coverage, building business incubators, and attracting remote workers and entrepreneurs to a rural region.
Starve Ups Scalerator
2015 to presentMember-company turned strategic partner
Accepted into the 2015 cohort (one of 12 businesses) of one of Oregon's oldest and most exclusive startup accelerators. Later transitioned to strategic technology partner.
University of Portland
2015 to 2017Entrepreneurship program mentor
Business and technical guidance to students in the entrepreneurship program.
Ongoing mentorship
2008 to presentBusiness, coding, and life skills
Colleges, code schools, and K-12 institutions: productivity, coding, and the unglamorous parts of building things.
Education
St. Norbert College
2004 to 2007Business, Psychology, & Economics
Completed the degree in three years.
Continual self-study
1986 to presentEvery topic worth learning
Self-taught in coding, productivity, and most other practical skills via books, audiobooks, and the web.
Speaking & judging
- University of Oregon, Judge, International New Venture Challenge
- University of Portland, Judge, $100k Challenge
- Lewis & Clark Law School, Judge, ABA Moot Court
- University of Arizona, Guest Speaker, SaaS workshop
- WeWork, Presenter, pitch event
- Founders Live Portland, Presenter, pitch event
- VEX Robotics Competition (Wisconsin), Judge
- Starve Ups Launch Pad, Panelist
- NewTech PDX, Presenter, pitch event
- 1 Million Cups, Presenter, pitch event
- Startup Weekend Vancouver, Pitch Coach
- Connected Educator Appreciation Day Global Summit, Panelist
- Cult of Startup, Podcast guest (2-hour interview)
- Regional Economic Development Annual Meeting, Panelist
- Minocqua Chamber of Commerce, Guest Trainer (business and marketing)
- Wausau Chamber of Commerce, Guest Trainer (business and marketing)
- MadJS, Guest Lecturer, How to Build Serverless Sites
- Nicolet College, Adjunct Professor, business and marketing workshops
- Northcentral Technical College, Adjunct Professor, business and marketing workshops
- CityPages, Cover photo and featured story
- Headwaters Builders Association, Keynote, The Importance of Your Web Presence
- Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), Guest Trainer, business development
- Epicodus Code School, Guest Speaker, 10 Skills for Skyrocketing Your Success as a Coder
Select partnerships
A subset of the clients I have worked with through Visible North, Sitecast, and direct engagements. The full archive lives at /archive/clients.
- Booth Lake Landing Resort
- Bull Run Distillery
- Catalyst Medical Center & Clinical Spa
- First Circle Investments / Venture Fund
- Gathrly
- Howard Young Foundation
- Insurance Group of Wisconsin
- Lakeland Times
- Leinenkugel's Brewing Company
- Little Tykes Playhouse
- Livewell360 Fitness Bags
- Mike Murphy Fish Decoys (first paid project, age 12)
- Northwoods Insider
- Northwoods River News
- Osher Günsberg Podcast
- Pinewood Golf Club
- Plum Ideas
- Potawatomi Carter Casino
- Redman Realty Group
- Snowtrekker Tents
- Startup Chronicle
- Starve Ups Accelerator
- Storybook Metal Shop
- Superior Diesel
- The Beacons of Minocqua
- Timber Ridge Golf Club
- Unique Floors and Interiors
- Unmistakable Creative Podcast
- WePost Media
- Wetlands and Waterways
- Wildwood Golf Club
- Wisconsin Native Loan Fund
- Wisconsin River Cruises
Reach me
hello@contactbrad.com is the real inbox.