Résumé

Ron Davis

Technology Executive

310.849.0493 · rdavis@rld3.com · linkedin.com/in/rondavis3

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Interactive version at rld3.com/resume

Experience

  1. Founder

    Joust · 2022 – Present

    • Founded an AI operations consultancy and grew it to $1.2M in founder-led revenue, delivering AI strategy and production systems (agents, LLM pipelines, retrieval architectures, evaluation frameworks) for enterprise and mid-market clients.
    • Reverse-engineered and automated a consumer-insights firm's core research process with an agent pipeline plus chat and custom-harness tooling: the process became 85% more efficient, experts moved to higher-value work, and the pilot became the technical foundation for a spinoff company.
    • Built the practice on the principle that most of AI's value comes from reworking the operating model, not just adopting tools; every recommendation ships with a dollar figure attached.
    • Ships production AI weekly, Python, SQL, and TypeScript against frontier LLM APIs, agent frameworks, MCP integrations, and LLMOps governance. Member of the Anthropic partner program.
    • Designed a structured engagement model, from a fast Focused Review through Build and ongoing Advisory, so clients enter at the right level and scale up as needs grow.
    • Built and led a cross-functional team of technologists, strategists, and creatives, growing the client base across sectors including energy, education, consumer insights, and technology.

  2. Chief Technology Officer

    Monks / Firewood · 2018 – 2022

    • Built Firewood's technical offering from zero and supported 700% overall company growth over three years, hiring 20+ engineers a year at peak.
    • Led global engineering organizations of 100 to 200 people across North American, nearshore, European, and APAC teams; set the comprehensive technical vision, goals, and delivery approach.
    • Championed Agile development and delivery methodologies and enabled teams company-wide to adopt new technology and innovate.
    • Supported rapid growth and the merger of 27+ companies over two years, integrating technical teams while nurturing their unique talents.
    • Spearheaded architecture and implementation of ERP systems at Monks and Firewood, streamlining operations and sharpening financial visibility.
    • Ensured client solutions (including work for Google) complied with data-privacy and PII governance laws such as GDPR and CCPA; led the company’s ISO certification efforts.
    • Grew strategic client relationships and helped add four new tier-one clients while managing and optimizing technology budgets across global markets.

  3. SVP, Technology

    Guidance · 2016 – 2018

    • Led and grew a broad onshore/offshore team of e-commerce-focused technology professionals delivering successful e-commerce solutions, including sneaker-release commerce (Foot Locker/Eastbay) engineered for hundreds of thousands of concurrent buyers.
    • Owned the technology department P&L and ensured teams, projects, and accounts followed best practices.
    • Partnered with sales to create new account proposals including technical architecture, level-of-effort estimates, and project plans; promoted core technologies including PHP, .NET, and mobile.
    • Mentored and inspired senior and junior staff, raising talent levels and shaping career paths.

  4. VP, Technology

    SapientRazorfish · 2014 – 2016

    • Built Honda Helper (2014), an ML-powered conversational web and mobile application that helped buyers find, configure, and locate their vehicle, gather financing, and connect live with a dealer to close: conversational commerce a decade before LLMs.
    • Served as strategic advisor to the Honda/Acura client, creating the technology vision, strategy, and roadmap for all global digital properties: a $35M platform transformation serving millions of users, including the global Sitecore implementation for both brands.
    • Built the technology team and processes from the ground up and provided technical and business oversight across all projects.

  5. VP, Technology

    Edelman · 2013 – 2014

    • Rescued the failing Xbox Newsroom project, a property drawing hundreds of thousands of concurrent visitors at launches, and established a practice that delivered the Starbucks Newsroom, winner of the 2014 In2 SABRE Award.
    • Delivered projects for clients including VW, Adobe, Shell, Microsoft, and PayPal; increased project success rate to 100%.
    • Built the West Coast development practice from the ground up: best practices, hiring, mentoring, and internal tooling; contributions helped Edelman be named one of Ad Age’s “10 Agencies to Watch in 2014.”

  6. Director, Technology

    ethology · 2012 – 2013

    • Developed and owned the business plan and P&L to build the ethology Technology Department from the ground up; hired and managed technology resources to support the delivery pipeline.
    • Acted as a thought leader for the technology and development practice through POV documents and speaking engagements.

  7. VP, Technology Services

    iCrossing / Proxicom · 2003 – 2012

    • Managed a team of 26+ onshore and offshore developers building web applications, creative initiatives, and 50+ site maintenance programs.
    • Provided technical leadership on multiple .com redesigns: Mazda (Java), Toyota (TeamSite), Hyundai (TeamSite), Nissan (Vignette/OpenText), Tourism Board (Sitecore), and Vail Resorts (Sitecore).
    • Led the team that built one of the first lead management systems in the automotive space, unifying prospect signals across sources for marques including Nissan.
    • Set architectural direction, oversaw responses to client RFIs/RFPs, and managed offshore and nearshore delivery partners.

What colleagues say

see all 70+ on LinkedIn →
There are technical leaders who can build anything, and there are business leaders who can align anyone, and Ron is one of the very few people I've encountered who does both, at the highest level, simultaneously. He never let the elegance of a solution become the point; the outcome for the client was always the point.
Jennifer Fey EVP, Global Media & Marketing
Ron Davis was an exceptional leader as the Chief Technology Officer at Firewood. I was consistently impressed by Ron's dedication to his team and his commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. I, along with several colleagues, will jump at any chance to work under Ron's leadership again.
Chris Walden Marketing & Product Marketing
Working closely with Ron across multiple projects, I marveled at his ability to demystify complex technology, making it accessible and reassuring for everyone involved. Ron's gift to every project was the sense of calm we all felt once he arrived.
Trevor Dawson Brand Transformation Consultant
I can say, without reservation, that Ron is one of the best in the industry. He's smart, innovative, kind and takes a thoughtful approach to every challenge. He doesn't just solve the problem, he solves the next 14 problems. He would be an asset to any team.
Janelle Navrat Agency Account Management & Strategy
I always looked forward to projects with Ron as he brings an easy and calming demeanor while illustrating rather complex technical infrastructures. He's experienced and excellent at tailoring the technicality of his message to his audience and solving challenges with creative solutions.
Sarah Eden Growth & Analytics Executive
I can confidently say that Ron is an exceptional leader with a remarkable blend of technical expertise and strategic vision. He has an innate ability to lead by example and inspire those around him. If you have the opportunity to work with Ron, I highly recommend it.
Matthew Masuda Email Operations Leader
Ron is an excellent listener and problem solver. He was able to explain highly technical things to less technical audiences in a compelling way. His calm demeanor and positive attitude made working with him pleasant and productive, through an ERP implementation and a company merger.
Bethany Leonard VP, Financial Planning & Analysis, Monks
I brought Ron in as our Interim CTO during a critical phase of a replatform project, and his calm and thoughtful approach truly made a difference in getting it back on track. His capacity to remain composed under pressure instilled confidence in our stakeholders that we were in capable hands.
Andres Engel Chief Operating Officer
Despite being brought on as an interim CTO in the middle of a re-platforming project of epic proportions, Ron guided the team through turbulent waters by balancing team well-being with company-wide expectations. I would jump at the opportunity to work with Ron again.
Joyce Lo Technical Project / Program Manager
During his tenure, Ron formulated proposals and frameworks that provided much needed structure to in-flight projects. He listened to the team's concerns and sought out our individual perspectives so that he could have a well-rounded and informed view of our work day-to-day.
Ian Ames Senior QA Engineer, ServiceTitan
Ron is one of the best leaders I have ever worked with. His empathy for his team and clients is unmatched, and his technical expertise in building and scaling enterprise-level products is truly impressive. I highly recommend Ron as a founder, leader, and technical executive.
Alexandria Brown, PHR HR Business Partner
Ron was an incredible technical partner and a breath of fresh air to work with. His ability to explain complicated intricacies in an effortless and simple way, where I could finally understand what everyone was talking about, was amazing and eye opening for me.
Rebecca Sutherland Miller Senior Director, Project Management
I was constantly impressed with Ron's ability to lead a rapidly growing group, with a variety of skill sets, while still taking the time to connect and guide each of us individually. I owe a great deal of my career growth to Ron, and any company or team under his leadership is incredibly fortunate.
Scott Kato Strategic Customer Success, Braze
I was ALWAYS glad to hear when Ron was becoming involved. Whatever problem we brought him in to solve would be handled with care and thoroughness. He looks at a client need from every angle, he is deeply knowledgeable in his field, and above all, he is always kind.
Ala Bishop Director of Operations, Monks
Ron is an exceptional technology leader who also cares deeply about his relationships with his team and co-workers. His approachable and calm demeanor, active listening, and genuine, supportive nature create an environment where each team member feels valued and empowered. Ron has a natural talent for bringing out the best in people.
Meghan Patrick-Crane Talent Development & Management Leader
What I've loved most about Ron is his thoughtful approach to any project, complex or simple. He is a true team leader who builds a strong team dynamic and operating model that is flexible to adapt to the project needs. Plus he is an all around great guy to collaborate with.
Jeff Reese VP Marketing & CMO (Google, GoPro, Tubi)
Ron is the best of the best. A top tier technology leader who understands the agency landscape without limiting solutions to traditional agency thinking. He cares for the clients and projects he leads as much as his team members. He gets my highest recommendation.
Brad Smith Strategic Sourcing & Creative Operations
Ron Davis. Tech Wizard. Trustworthy. And, all around kind human. I was met with his patience to teach and educate. Ron has an uncanny ability to meet his colleagues where we are in our technical journeys, whether it was the marketing intern or the CEO.
Rebecca Routs SVP, Global Solutions
Ron is one of the most thoughtful and effective technology leaders for whom I have worked. His vision is driven by forward thinking and building for the long term. The thing that sticks out most from working under him is that I always felt like he had my back.
Will Hoffmann Director of IT
Wicked smart, thoughtful, ethical and a truly honorable human being. As CTO for Firewood, and then Media.Monks, Ron led a team of incredibly talented engineers on very complex projects for some of the biggest technology companies in the world, with absolute commitment and the most positive attitude.
Warren Marenco Chase Agency Leader, Liberty Mutual
Ron is a brilliantly innovative technology leader and is excellent at explaining complicated technology and requirements in terms that everyone can understand. I worked directly with him at Firewood and he was excellent at solving complex issues with amazing technological solutions.
Loni Knepper, CMA, MBA Chief Financial Officer
I can't recommend Ron highly enough. He brings a calm demeanor and exceptional technical, strategic expertise that lets you know immediately you are in good hands. He was an incredibly inspiring leader and continues to be a mentor to this day. I truly am a better leader for having worked with him.
Arianna Amato Harrison Technical Program Management, PMO Leader
Ron is an amazing technology leader and manager. He managed the technology delivery on one of the largest automotive accounts within Razorfish, and was regarded as a trusted advisor by the clients as well as by the internal team members.
Krish Kuruppath EVP, Head of Technology (ex-Microsoft)
I worked with Ron at both Proxicom (iCrossing) and Razorfish, and it was a pleasure on both occasions. He's intelligent, fair, level headed and calm under pressure, and excellent at managing difficult clients as well as internal resources. Not only is he an exceptional SVP of Technology, he's an upstanding and genuine person.
Lisa Connelly Senior Technical Project & Program Manager
Ron is knowledgeable, intelligent, and dedicated. I was hired by Ron and worked with and for him for five years. He is an excellent manager with an exemplary work ethic, professional, honest and respectful. No wonder there is a consensus on how great Ron is.
Damon Maghsoudi Senior Software Engineer at Google
Ron was an invaluable member of the team on every occasion. My favorite part of working with Ron was his ability to co-present to clients with ease and put complex technical solutions in easy-to-digest layman's terms. He's a true professional, a terrific person and a pleasure to work with.
Rachel Pasqua Agency + AdTech CMO