Building with AI

About

AI strategy and adoption, helping companies decide where AI earns its keep. Software, databases, and payment systems for organizations of every size.

Core skills

• Leadership & strategy: Technology roadmaps, build-vs-buy analysis, vendor selection and spend review, hiring and team structure, AI governance and security
• AI agents & development: Custom agents and skills, Codex, Claude Code, Grok Bot, Google AI Studio, OpenAI, Hermes, OpenClaw, custom LLM integrations, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)
• AI infrastructure & integrations: Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, connections between AI agents and business tools, Cloudflare Workers, Cloudflare AI Gateway
• Languages & frameworks: TypeScript, Python, Java, Node.js, Next.js, React, Prisma ORM
• Cloud & DevOps: AWS (Fargate, CI/CD), Cloudflare, Docker, Linux, Vercel, Netlify, Git, automation, shell scripting
• Databases: MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Oracle
• Payments & e-commerce: Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, BitPay, USDC

Experience

• Fractional CTO & AI Strategy Advisor

  · chris.schaub.com 2016 – Present
  • Help leadership teams decide where AI and technology money should go: roadmaps, build vs buy, vendor and tool selection, hiring, and risk.
  • Guide technology strategy, product roadmaps, architecture, and vendor selection as a fractional CTO.
  • Integrate AI agents and automation into existing products and business workflows. I stay hands-on with the architecture and the agents doing the build.
  • Design cloud applications and deployment workflows using AWS, Fargate, Docker, and CI/CD automation.
  • Build and maintain full-stack applications with Node.js, TypeScript, and React.
  • Develop blockchain solutions for identity, payments, and storage using Ethereum, Bitcoin, ENS, and IPFS.

• Technical Lead

  · Horton Group 2010 – 2016
  • Led web, mobile, and e-commerce development using the MEAN stack, Drupal, and WordPress.
  • Supported AWS deployments, Git workflows, and agile delivery.

• Applications Developer

  · University of Michigan (BMC2) 2011 – 2013
  • Developed patient data software using PHP, R, Oracle, and MySQL.
  • Worked with data analysts on reporting.

• Consultant / Owner

  · Lutegrass LLC 2001 – 2010
  • Built custom websites and e-commerce systems using Perl, PHP, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle.
  • Maintained long-term client relationships and provided ongoing support.

• VP of Product Development

  · Netnames / Netbenefit 2000 – 2001
  • Led product development for an internet services platform built with WebLogic, Java, and Oracle.
  • Worked across engineering and business teams to launch new services.

• Technical Lead / Developer

  · Thomson & Thomson 1994 – 2000
  • Developed the Saegis trademark screening platform using Java and Oracle for Fortune 500 clients.
  • Managed developers, established coding standards, and reviewed code.

Education

B.A. English Literature, University of Toledo — Cum Laude, Dean's List. Percussion Performance, Berklee.