Dr. Justin Lacche (Dr. J), MBA, PMP, ΑΚΨ

$3.03 Billion+ USD Portfolios: Chief Technologist: AI. Robotics. Quantum. IoT.

Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Area

About

C-level technologist with a proven track record exceeding $3.03B in leveraging AI, quantum computing, tinyML, robotics and data analytics to drive bottom-line growth and sustainability across Fortune-100 enterprises. My career spans consumer goods, critical infrastructure, and elite brands, where I lead 100+ person cross-disciplinary teams in modernizing supply chains, predicting demand, and enhancing fan/customer engagement worldwide. I specialize in operationalizing emerging technologies with agility, fostering inclusive high-performance cultures, and guiding boards through complex digital transformations to achieve competitive advantage and environmental stewardship. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7594-9551

Experience

  • IBM Quantum: Americas GM: Cross-Industry Customer · Quantum Implementation & Scaling Executive at IBM
    Oct 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 10 mos

    Since 2016, I’ve been part of the global IBM Quantum community as an external customer, turning quantum computing from “future tech” into real, shipped value across fashion, sports, finance, healthcare, and farming. I sit at the intersection of CXO strategy and hands-on build work: translating messy, real-world problems into hybrid quantum–classical workflows that executives, coaches, and clinicians can actually use. Design & run hybrid quantum workloads using IBM Quantum Runtime and Qiskit (QAE, QAOA, quantum kernels) to accelerate Monte Carlo simulations, scheduling/optimization, and small-sample classification problems. Build end-to-end pipelines that connect edge and enterprise data (e.g., sensorized apparel, financial time series, clinical or agritech telemetry) into quantum backends, then convert the results into AI-generated insights for non-technical stakeholders. Deliver measurable outcomes such as faster what-if analysis for trading and risk, tournament and operations schedules that reduce fatigue and cost, personalized performance programs for athletes and clinicians, and data-driven decisions for precision agriculture and water/farming use cases. Work as a “translator” between worlds—executive teams, data scientists, and quantum researchers—so that proofs-of-concept can become repeatable products instead of slideware. Champion responsible innovation, including privacy, security, and fair-use academic/industry collaborations, especially where quantum + AI intersects with health, athlete performance, and regulated data. “We have high-value simulation or optimization work (months of classical compute) — can quantum realistically compress this to days?” “How do we plug IBM Quantum into our existing AI, analytics, and cloud stack without rebuilding everything from scratch?” “Where specifically does quantum give us an edge today in our industry, and how do we design pilots that are honest about noise, scale, and ROI?”

  • Nike (On-site)
    • CEO Direct: C-Level & SLT Advisor: Growth Strategy + Emerging Technology Advisor
      May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 3 mos

      • Advising Nike's senior leadership team on growth strategies, enhancing core competencies and adapting to consumer purchasing trends. • Delivering in-depth analyses to identify key areas for sustained growth, resulting in actionable insights for strategic decision-making. • Collaborating with SLT (senior leadership team) on initiatives that improve market positioning and consumer engagement.

    • Global General Manager: Nike Special Projects
      May 2024 - May 2025 · 1 yr 1 mo

      • Led cross-functional teams to integrate AI and emerging technologies, generating over $110M in annual realized revenue gains and a $1.1B five-year roadmap. • Spearheaded operational initiatives that enhanced product innovation and market responsiveness. • Focused on leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive sustainable growth and maintain competitive advantage.

    • Global Head: Nike Just Hack It: AI. Retail. Product.
      Jan 2022 - Jun 2024 · 2 yrs 6 mos

      • Spearheaded strategic initiatives integrating AI and e-commerce to enhance consumer experiences at Nike. • Fostered collaborations with creators to drive innovative partnerships and explore web3 technologies. • Revamped Nike's technology landscape and sales strategies, optimizing supply chain and retail operations.

  • Chief Technology Consultant at NW Natural
    Apr 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 4 mos

    • Spearheads strategic initiatives to integrate AI and sustainable technologies, improving operational efficiency. • Fosters collaboration among cross-functional teams to enhance innovation and customer engagement. • Lands mergers and acquisitions, significantly expanding market presence and centralized technological service offerings.

  • San Francisco Giants (Part-time · 16 yrs 4 mos)
    • Tokyo Yomiuri Giants: Executive Consultant: Special Projects | 東京読売ジャイアンツ:エグゼクティブ - 北米特別プロジェクト
      Jul 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 1 mo

      • Leads international brand development initiatives to enhance organizational effectiveness. • Integrates advanced technologies to optimize team operations, marketing, and fan engagement. • Provides strategic guidance on special projects to redefine brand presence and explore new revenue streams.

    • Senior Executive: Revenue, Product & Internet of Things (IoT)
      Feb 2017 - Present · 9 yrs 6 mos

      • Leads product development and future technology initiatives to drive growth and enhance operational effectiveness. • Creates a new MiLB business model generating $22 million annually, increasing brand value and contributing to economic development. • Spearheads initiatives in the Minor Leagues to integrate Web3 and cryptocurrency, enhancing in-stadium experiences and retail offerings.

    • President/Senior Executive: Northwest League Affiliate
      Apr 2010 - Jan 2017 · 6 yrs 10 mos

      • Led transformative initiatives to propel the franchise to new heights, focusing on talent development and innovative marketing strategies. • Managed vendor relationships and negotiated contracts to drive revenue growth and enhance brand presence. • Championed diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts while exploring new market opportunities.

  • Principal Owner: Chief Executive Officer at Omniverse Sports League ® LLC
    Jan 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 7 mos

    • Leads the development of a diverse talent pool of 135+ athletes and 48+ esports gamers, enhancing the league's competitive advantage. • Innovates multiple revenue streams through physical events, NFT trading cards, and AI-powered gaming tournaments, catering to a wide audience. • Oversees league expansion to 38 countries, achieving profitability in the first year.