Zscaler

DevOps Architect

Bluebeam, Inc.

Software Architect

Recharge Payments

-   Participated in the Architecture Board, which governed best practices, cross-cutting concerns, and technical proposals
-   Introduced a Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to address quality issues and reduce production incidents by 90%+
-   Led the organization of the first Architecture Summit to discuss high-level concerns and processes
-   Increased batch job processing throughput by 4x through hands-on troubleshooting and developer coaching
-   Designed API throughput performance improvements for a 10-15x reduction in deployment resources and related costs
-   Mentored engineers by sponsoring technical designs, offering career guidance, and enhancing technical skills
-   Promoted methodologies for performance testing and data-driven decision making
-   Developed strategies and systems for decomposing a monolith into microservices
-   Collaborated with the event bus team on designs for eventing and serverless functions
-   Improved testing frameworks and guided developers on Test Driven Development (TDD)
-   Worked with the Security Team to address security concerns and implement secure coding practices
-   Utilized Python, Google Cloud Platform/Functions, API First designs, Microservices, Dapr, Redis, Docker/container images, Kubernetes, MySQL, and ElasticSearch

Principal Engineer/Software Architect

Pulse Secure

- Served on the Architecture Board, responsible for determining overall software architecture and development practices
- Architected and led a team for the development of a Zero Trust microservice platform
- Coordinated security hardening, evaluation, and best practices for most Python-based software
- Designed and led the development of the Python framework at the core of most of the company's Python software
- Designed various features, including authentication token management, multi-tenancy, WebSockets, event messaging, RBAC, user management, certificate management/PKI, OpenAPI adoption, Docker image builds, Postgres migrations, async function queues, and inter-service APIs
- Advocated for Python Best Practices, API design, Test Driven Development, Continuous Integration, and Continuous Delivery
- Maintained several open-source projects core to the company's Python frameworks
- Coordinated Python 2 to Python 3 conversion of many microservices
- Utilized Python, Azure, AWS, Kafka, Redis, Kubernetes, Docker/containers, Postgres, MySQL, Nginx (Lua), OpenAPI, AsyncAPI, Terraform, MongoDB, and ElasticSearch

Principal Engineer/Architect

- Leader of team that converted newly acquired MobileSpaces's Mobile Device Management (MDM) software to Pulse Workspace
- Architect for Pulse One, a VPN server manager and orchestrator that is Docker based, SaaS and On-premise
- Team lead for conversion of Pulse One from a SaaS solution to a cluster-able, on-premise solution within 6 months. Its Docker based architecture can be installed on custom VPN hardware or ran in VMware

Senior Staff Engineer/Server Architect

Various startups and consulting roles

Through many years of software engineering, I gained a broad range of experience from various startups, consulting companies, and open-source projects. I've deployed to every major cloud hosting provider. I've been hands-on with every major programming language. I have developed SaaS, on-premise, desktop, and mobile applications. Some notable highlights include:

-   Co-founding a software contracting agency called Massive Forge, where we developed multiple applications using Python and Javascript. A client acquired the company.
-   Software Architect Consultant for several Hong Kong-based startups, including Libbler and Pingspot, where I developed applications using Python, Javascript, MongoDB, Redis, AWS, and iOS.
-   MapMyFitness (acquired by Under Armour), a fitness tracking SaaS and mobile app, where I primarily developed with Python and Django. I also worked with Hadoop, Cassandra, and Java for analytics.
-   Zenoss, IT monitoring software, where I designed a new event processing and service monitoring suite as part of a project to convert the software from Python to Java.
-   A fintech startup called Bancvue Interactive (now known as Kasasa), where I developed SaaS products for community banks and credit unions.

Additional Software Engineer Experience

Pingspot

Pingspot (http://pingspot.com/) was "A fun, new way to record and recommend your favorite businesses.". It's an iOS application with a Python backend. For Pingspot I developed the mobile application as well as designed and developed the backend. The app graphics were designed and created by Catchlight Productions (http://www.catchlight.com/).

Technologies used: Python with Flask and Celery, MongoDB, Redis, Foursquare API, Facebook API, iOS SDK, Heroku, Cloudinary

Software Architect Consultant

Libbler

Libbler (http://libbler.com/) is "The ultimate career launchpad for entry level professionals. Features include: resume builder and guide, comprehensive employer database for graduate, internship, entry level opportunities and practical industry advice to help develop career skills.". 

I designed and developed the original libbler.com from top to bottom -- except for the graphic design.

Technologies used: Python with Flask and Celery, Spine.js, Coffeescript, MongoDB, Redis, Oneall single-sign-on, Heroku and AWS

Massive Forge

A software contracting agency that I started with my business partners. We developed several applications, primarily with Python and Javascript. The company was acqui-hired by a client.

Co-Founder/CTO

MapMyFitness

- Maintained and developed new features for primary website platform using Python/Django and MySQL
- Developed new API platform using Python and Flask while utilizing Django ORM
- Developed new live race tracking platform using Flask and integrated with remote tracking services using Python and RabbitMQ
- Created APIs for mobile developers to integrate with race tracking
- Maintained fitness statistics reporting engine using Hadoop, Cassandra, and Java
- Created and maintained new unit test infrastructure using py.test
- Developed continuos build solution for development virtual boxes using VirtualBox, Vagrant, and Python

Senior Software Engineer

Zenoss, Inc.

Zenoss provides dynamic system monitoring for IT services across physical, virtual, and hybrid cloud infrastructures. The core of Zenoss is open source and built on Zope/Python, Ext JS, and MySQL.

- Helped wrap up development of UI refresh for 3.0 release
- Developed Dynamic Service View using Flex and yfiles
- Use Agile methodologies for software development
- Design new event processing and service monitoring suite which uses Java, RabbitMQ, SOLR/Lucene, and Neo4j.

🔸Unpacking Software Architecture

I help people deploy more value with less code.

Mike Thornton

Indexnine Technologies

• Architected and executeed comprehensive go-to-market strategies.
• Lead demand generation initiatives across the organization
• Spearhead SEO optimization, website performance enhancement, and brand authority development
• Orchestrate multi-channel marketing campaigns across content, ABM, paid media, thought leadership, and partner marketing. 
• Direct cross-functional alignment and collaboration between sales, marketing, and delivery teams.
• Analyze marketing & sales ROI, pipeline velocity, and LTV:CAC optimization to ensure positive business metric growth
• Manage annual revenue budget with strategic allocation across high-impact channels and initiatives. 

AI-First Product Innovation: 
• Developed AI & digital transformation programs for Enterprise clients. Leveraging custom and third-party Generative AI solutions to overhaul creative and strategic business workflows.
• Acted as the principal executive advisor to C-suite stakeholders by aligning AI strategy with core business objectives to deliver tangible ROI. 
• Collaborated with startups & enterprises to define AI use cases. Translating business challenges into technical requirements for forward-deployed engineering and data science teams in an agile pod-based model.
• Championed a human-centric approach to AI adoption. Driving user enablement through targeted training sessions and demonstrations to ensure seamless integration and business value realization.

Operational Excellence & Client Experience: "Client-First" and "Outcome-Based" execution model:
 • Implementing the Sprint Zero framework for radical transparency in project estimation and roadmap development, significantly de-risking client engagements. 
• Driving initiatives to achieve 60% Project Gross Margin.

Chief Business Officer

Vention

Grew revenue from $0 to $12.7M ARR in Vention's newest GTM BU.

Daily responsibilities:
• Designed and implemented go-to-market strategies for the US West Team (Pac NW, CA, CO, TX, UT), driving customer growth and enterprise success across Account Executive, Customer Success, and BDR teams from $0 to $12.7M (4 years).
• Architected and launched AI, Cloud, and Digital Partnership initiatives that generated over $21M in new pipeline by identifying and validating high-value use cases for enterprise clients.
• Delivered 43.1% revenue growth in 2024 by executing a newly developed Enterprise Account Acquisition strategy.
• Delivered 28% revenue growth in 2023
• Championed a customer-centric consulting/sales framework that increased the closed-won rate by 27% (from 30% to 57%).
• Served as the executive sponsor for all West US Strategic Accounts, establishing and maintaining C-level relationships.
• Drove customer retention and expansion initiatives, resulting in 150.6% Net Revenue Retention (NRR).

Skills and expertise:
• Strong startup advisory skills (AI, Cloud Architecture, Cyber Security, PMF, Project Execution)
• Deep understanding of the software development lifecycle & project management
• FinTech, HealthTech, and mobile AppDev speciality

Director of Sales And Business Development

iTechArt Group

• Transformed the Silicon Valley sales operations by hiring, training, and developing a new team of 3-5 Business Development and Customer Success Managers.
• Achieved 27.3% YoY growth in 2023 and exceeded individual quota by 116% ($3M New Business Annual Goal).
• Co-developed and implemented a new cross-selling strategy with CSM teams that resulted in 73% growth within existing accounts.
• Established a scalable agile process for pipeline management and prospecting.

Director of Sales, West

Software Development Consultant - Founding AE for the West Coast business unit of iTech Art Group. 
• Presidents Club 2021, 2022
• 196% to goal 2021 - $750k Quota
• 109% to goal 2022 - $3M Quota
• Designed and implemented new account management frameworks to improve customer retention rate. 
• Leveraged a modern technology stack to optimize lead generation and customer engagement. Outreach.io, LinkedIn SalesNav, ZoomInfo, Crystal, Salesforce
• Developed and executed San Francisco Territory “plan-of-attack” to improve pipeline, increase MQL->SQL conversion rates, maximize close won %, and grow revenue.

Business Development Manager

Sumo Logic

• Managed the full B2B sales cycle for a technical audience, including IT operations, security, and DevOps teams.
• Employed a consultative, problem-solving sales approach, asking insightful questions to investigate and understand complex client needs and industry trends.
• Independently identified and pursued new business opportunities, managing the sales pipeline and contact network in SFDC.
• Conducted tailored product demonstrations and fostered long-term client relationships by developing innovative solutions to meet specific challenges.
• Achieved 93% of a competitive annual quota in 2020, contributing directly to the company's successful IPO.

Account Executive

LA Fitness

·	President’s Club 2018– 100%+ to quota 11/12 months
·	2019 100%+ to quota 4/7 months
·	Monthly Quota $875,000 ($10,500,000 Annually) – 90% of goal attainment generated from Net New Customers
·	Regional MRR growth of 119% YoY 2019 vs 2018
·	Day to day management of 14 Sales Directors and team.
·	Daily 1x1 and Conf Calls to discuss productivity goals and how each individual performer on the team is tracking for monthly quota attainment
·	Doubled the regional ARR growth vs company region average YoY 2019
·	Trained all members of the sales staff to exceed quota by the second month of employment regardless of previous industry experience.

District Vice President - Sales

·	2017 - President’s Club
·	2017 - Sales Director of the Year (National): 164% growth MRR YoY. 162% to goal for the year.
·	2017 - 100%+ Quota 12/12 months – ($480k Annual Quota)
·	2016 -  President’s Club
·	2016 - Sales Director of the Year (Bay Area): 138% growth MRR YoY. 136% to goal for the year. 
·	2016 - Hit personal quota 10/12 months – ($420k Annual Quota)
·	Ongoing recruitment of sales team members – 14 Hires Onboarded in 2 years 8 promoted to Manager Roles
·	Individually trained sales counselors to prospect for net new business.
·	Managed accounts for and designed individualized training programs for over 300 clients to achieve their health goals in the safest, most enjoyable way possible.

Director of Sales - Personal Training

SALINAS HIGH SCHOOL

Design and implementation of a high intensity strength program for football, baseball, basketball and track and field athletes. Emphasis for all programs is power, strength and flexibility primarily from the Olympic lifts infused with some kettlebell, yoga, plyometrics and traditional "power" lifts.

Director of Strength And Conditioning

24 Hour Fitness

Perform initial client assessment and create exercise and nutritional programs, guidelines for client success.
Execute exercise program and teach clients proper technical aspects of strength training and muscle proprioception.
Assist in client execution of good nutritional strategies necessary for fat loss and muscle gain.
Prospect and sell training to new members to increase company  profit and surpass sales standards,
Maintain a high level of personal fitness sales and assist in the development of good business practices in accordance with our mission statement.

Personal Trainer 3

·	Sales Manager of the Year 2013.  105% to goal for year
·	Increased sales revenue vs 2012
·	Responsible for the hiring, training, and separation of employees to maintain full staff levels throughout the year. 
·	Retail sales of high-quality supplements.

Retail Store Manager

Whittier College

Student-Athlete

•	Fulfilled through ideals of excellence, discipline, service and community, the manager/intern implements and assists with the training and conditioning of intercollegiate athletes and general students.
•	Assist with teaching and assessment of individual training.
•	Open and close weight room during the assigned shifts.
•	Maintenance of safety and cleanliness standards within the training areas.
•	Design and implementation of training programs for athletes and individuals.

Weight Room Manager/ Strength and Conditioning Intern

Vector Marketing

·	President’s Club
·	Set Regional record for personal sales volume Q3 2009. 190% to goal on quota.
·	Handled and presented the direct sale of high-quality cutlery and culinary products to consumers.

Senior Sales Advisor

Cloud Enthusiast | Disney Dad | AppDev | DevOps

Vaughn is the Chief Business Officer of Indexnine Technologies US. Bringing several years of B2B and B2C sales and business development management expertise to the company. With a record for building high-performing teams in the information technology and services industry. With a passion for AI, Custom AppDev, Product Engineering, and DevOps, Vaughn specializes in customer-centric sales and account management across all sectors. Through his deep understanding of client needs across levels and knowledge of next-gen tech, Vaughn quickly learns, leverages, and evolves demand generation processes to qualify opportunities and strategic target accounts. Prior to joining IndexNine, Vaughn was a Senior Director with Vention Solutions Inc and a District VP of Sales at LA Fitness. He's owned full sales cycles everywhere throughout his career. 

Whittier College Alumni (GO POETS!).

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The Battle

Mike Thornton

-Vaughn Soratos-

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