Brandon Allen Keene
I’m a pragmatic technology executive with over 20 years of software leadership success.
I’m a self-starter servant leader who brings resourcefulness, positivity, and agile best practices to teams large and small.
Let’s work together!
Skills
- Languages: Ruby, Python, Go, C/C++, JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, PHP, Java
- Frameworks: Ruby on Rails, Node.js, React, Svelte, Flask, Django, Angular, Laravel
- Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, Memcached, DynamoDB, S3
- Mobile Apps: iOS/Swift, Flutter, Apache Cordova
- Cloud: Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Salesforce Heroku, Google Cloud Platform, Fly.io
- Tools: Docker, Chat-GPT-3, Elastic Search, PostGIS, ImageMagick, FFMPEG, OpenSCAD
- Methods: Agile, Test Driven Development, Pair Programming, Continuous Integration / Deployment, Microservices
Experience
Chief Technology Officer / Special Advisor, Blade Air Mobility 2015 - Present
New York, NY - https://blade.com
- Built the airline reservations system, passenger/pilot apps, and software team using Ruby on Rails, React, Apache Cordova, PostgreSQL, and Amazon Web Services
- Grew the company from $100k to over $150M in revenue
- Raised $365M in public listing proceeds (NASDAQ: BLDE)
- Closed multiple private funding rounds including $10M from Airbus
- Subject Matter Expert and Speaker on topics of Advanced Air Mobility, Autonomy, Sustainability, Electric Aviation
- Formed partnerships with electric aircraft makers Wisk (Boeing), Eve (Embraer), and Beta Technologies
Principal Software Development Manager, Microsoft 2012 - 2015
New York, NY - https://microsoft.com
- Launched multiple cross-product chat initiatives for the GroupMe, Skype, and Messenger products
- Grew the engineering team across several global offices (Prague, Tallinn, Redmond, London)
Director of Engineering, GroupMe 2010 - 2012
New York, NY - http://groupme.com
- Scaled the app from founding to over 30 million monthly active users
- Built complex globally distributed services in Ruby, Go, JavaScript, and C
- Sold the company to Skype for $85 million in 18 months
- Recruited and mentored the API, web, and mobile engineering teams
Software Engineer, Pivotal (Tanzu) Labs 2008 - 2010
San Francisco, CA - https://tanzu.vmware.com/labs
- Agile software consulting for multiple clients in e-commerce, travel, media, and government
- Developed HIPPA compliant case management software for CaseBook.net and the State of Ohio
- Scaled and optimized web applications for fashion retailer Gilt Groupe
- Enhanced the popular agile project management tool PivotalTracker.com
Lead Software Engineer, Insider Pages (an IAC Company) 2007 - 2008
San Francisco, CA - https://insiderpages.com
- Scaled the service to millions of DAUs using Ruby on Rails and a custom C++ search engine
- Optimized SEO to drive local search revenue to complement CitySearch.com peer product
- Launched a new product for charity teams to write content in exchange for matched donations
Education
University of California, Davis Bachelor of Arts, Economics, Minor Computer Science
Memberships
Vertical Flight Society Speaker and Member
Helicopter Association International Member
Experimental Aircraft Association Speaker and Member
Experience, Continued
Lead Software Engineer, EZ Publishing Inc. 2004 - 2007
Sacramento, CA - https://campaigner.com
- Led development of flagship StreamSend.com email marketing product
- Rewrote legacy Perl/PHP email marketing backend in Ruby on Rails
- Sold the company to Campaigner.com
Web Application Developer, Etensive Media 2003 - 2004
San Diego, CA
- Built a white-label online restaurant ordering system for several clients
Technician, Poweron Inc. 2002 - 2004
San Diego, CA
- Built a prototype magnetic fuel injector under an Inertial Confinement Fusion research grant from General Atomics
- Wrote programs in National Instruments LabVIEW and BASIC
- Assembled rack-mounted and portable DC-to-AC power storage/converter units