Chris McCarthy

evolving business w/ operational blueprints | founder @ ob1ai.co | architect | creative | human-first ai

Hudson, Ohio, United States

About

I spent a decade building ERP systems that work. 50+ ERP/CRM implementations, Global IT infrastructures, Private-Equity IT Project Manager, Transformation Consulting. Then a medical challenge forced me to step back. I used that time to master AI comprehensively. Watching the evolution of system capabilities: studying it, testing it, architecting it into real business fixes. What I discovered: my background in process and system architecture + this new AI skill set + the innovation curve of LLM's -- the timing was perfect. In that time, I participated in consulting, beta testing SaaS projects, and slowly scaffolding OB.1's mission. My core mission is to usher business leaders into this new wave of technology, especially in my hometown of Cleveland, OH. It's a daunting move, especially in underserved sectors & geographies. Most consultants theorize about AI's potential. I build systems that deliver results. I've architected multi-platform solutions for professional services, insurance agencies, manufacturers, and distributors across the US. I'm a grassroots thought leader on 10+ successful SaaS GTM, namely AudityAI. A platform designed to drive visibility OB.1 3 main operational swimlanes 1. Intelligent Diagnostic Engine -- the AI Blueprint bridges current operations into the AI era: 1. AI Readiness Score (current AI) 2. Clinical Discovery (use proprietary ai to draft AI OB ) 3. Clinical Diagnostic (ingest data, transcripts SOP's, financials, systems w/ audityai) 4. The Blueprint (board ready, roi backed, ai blueprint) 5. The Architecture (FDD for opportunities, next steps) 2. Just In Time Software/Solutions -- think 2-4 week turnarounds on business problems that used to take quarters to fix. We are full-stack. Call out a pain point in your business, we'll turn around an PRD and a fix with a workflow, agent, or unique SaaS. 3. Enterprise Intelligence Solutions -- OB.1 offers an AI platform that helps enterprise businesses deploy intelligence layers at scale. AI/Agents in compliance with current governance mandates I serve four groups: SMB's looking to understand where AI fits in their business, enterprise clients seeking global AI knowledge base management, low-code agentic workflows, proven governance + guardrails at scale, strategic partners who want to build with the best, and investors who recognize category-defining opportunities in the AI business ecosystem. The next compute era is here. You need someone who can architect it into your operational reality.

Experience

  • Founder & AI Solutions Architect at OB.1 AI Solutions
    Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

    -Founded OB.1 AI Solutions to provide affordable tech and AI solutions for SMB's in the Rust-Belt. - Champion of practical AI solutions - focused on delivering measurable value in 30/60/90 day deployments aligned with client ROI expectations and scaling potential. -Introduction to agent design, and custom workflow solutions for SMBs. -Strategic process mapping and system design w/ Figma -Built and deployed AI lead generation systems using n8n, OpenAI, Pinecone, RelevanceAI, Groq, and Google Sheets. -Integrate LinkedIn (HeyReach) and Email Campaigns (mailjet/yesware) for real-time lead tracking and outreach. -Design industry-specific GPT workflows for insurance, real estate, and service sectors. -Developed OB_Synth: a centralized business control system with executive agent for managing distributed department operational swim lanes specific AI agent roles -Delivered OCR vision-based MVPs for concrete and landscaping clients to estimate measurements via mobile device (Field Ops) -Spun up company MCP within Notion supported by automated onboarding documentation and file systems across using Airtable, n8n, Zapier, and Make. -Led AI training sessions for internal teams and external SMB clients to audit and ultimately enrich AI readiness - Delivered client-ready MVPs with integrated vision models for measurement and planning (inspired by Moasure), supporting trades like concrete, landscaping, and contracting. -Deployed custom automation and data pipelines with Airtable to simplify compliance reporting, file management, and data enrichment across multiple departments. - Deeply proficient with Claude, ChatGPT, Airtable, Firecrawl, and Julius capable of architecting multi-platform solutions quickly & modeling process to spec. - Languages: Proficient in JavaScript, TypeScript, and Python for scripting and automation; skilled in managing JSON/YAML configurations, writing SQL queries for data integration, and customizing web-based tools using HTML/CSS and Liquid templates.

  • Information Technology Consultant at Gryphon Fund Group
    Feb 2025 - May 2025 · 4 mos

    - Technology Strategy & Integration – Ensuring seamless FundGuard API integrations and managing IT service with Microsoft Azure (Endpoint, 365, OneDrive+ MS Copilot) - AI & Automation Initiatives – Spearheading the implementation of AI agents and workflows to improve decision-making and operational scalability. - Data & Reporting - enhanced financial data systems (Envision, Power BI) to provide actionable insights without performance trade-offs. - Vendor & Stakeholder Management – Oversaw MSP contracts, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving digital transformation from previous IT Director.

  • Consultant - NAV/BC at Western Computer
    Sep 2022 - Feb 2024 · 1 yr 6 mos

    - Host analysis workshops with clients to understand their business processes and requirements - Document, catalog & identify areas for improvement - Design Business Central & WineTrade365 customer system requirements and data management packages - Design and configure BC to align with Customer Specs - Coordinate with technical teams to manage data migration and BC integrations - Execute test plans and oversee UAT to ensure base BC and customizations function as expected - Identify, define, and debug system errors and problems - Conduct Onsite Training and Conference Room Pilots - Manage BC implementation projects, including timelines, budgets and design documentation - Ensure projects are completed on time and within budget - Create detailed documentation of BC configurations, customizations, and client-specific guides - Generate reports and provide regular updates to stakeholders on project progress & KPI's - Suggest improvements to current processes and BC system usage - Communicate, Research, and implement updated with the latest Microsoft trends to solutions

  • Senior Business Manager Information Technology - Global at Power Sonic - Power Solutions Division
    Aug 2018 - Sep 2022 · 4 yrs 2 mos

    - Directed global IT infrastructure and Microsoft Azure deployments, including hybrid identity and access management via Azure AD. - Acted as Global IT Business Manager aligning enterprise systems and business development strategy across APAC, EMEA, and North America. - Led full-cycle implementation of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2018, unifying finance, warehousing, and operations across four countries. - Managed ERP migration, data integration, and user enablement, cutting reporting time by 50%. - Oversaw international project teams delivering device rollouts, remote access, and cybersecurity improvements. - Championed headquarters migration from San Diego, CA to Reno, NV - Systems, Hardware, Network, Data -Standardized imaging, asset tracking, and endpoint provisioning to boost deployment efficiency and accuracy. - Developed Sales & Operational Power BI dashboards integrated with NAV and Microsoft 365 to enhance executive visibility. - Curated functional design documents with Western Computer to create a clear vision for the global implementation in a storyboard mapping - Authored IT governance playbooks and compliance workflows in line with SOC 1 and ISO 27001. - Partnered with leadership to pilot early-stage AI forecasting tools, laying groundwork for OB.1 automation R&D.

  • IT Business Analyst at Ramco Specialties Inc
    May 2015 - Aug 2018 · 3 yrs 4 mos

    -Create, analyze, and validate detailed functional specifications in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2015. -Facilitate design sessions with Western Computer's project management and implementation team to define Ramco's systematic solutions -Developed company wide Business Process Analysis with Senior Level Solutions Architect(s) -Identify inefficiencies in the legacy ERP software (Exact MAX) and document system errors -Test new code implementations from the WC Development team -Manage website activities including Google Analytics, updates, redesigns, social media, and publications -Streamlined Joint Venture global ERP System Integration process flows with Bulten A.B. (Sweden) IT Group