Patrick W.

Cloud & AI Advisory, Microsoft | Private Equity Enthusiast | Business Leader

Columbus, Georgia, United States

About

Cloud computing has changed the existing opportunity set for all businesses, regardless of geography, industry vertical, and market cap - or, current lack-thereof. For the business which dares to leverage this new gear of optionality, its service teams will adopt fresh ways of working, and overcome growing pains. All the while operating with with equal parts agility and precision in order to solve for business challenge. In personal experience, I have advised, influenced, and been affected by the change frenzy that is “cloud adoption”; having been blessed to have been a part of many a marvelous success and learn from a couple wrecks. Success seems to hinge as much on the ability of leadership to adequately pre-plan for the bugs, achieve the earnest commitment of stakeholders, and when necessary - course correct, at the acknowledgement of a sea change. Software vendors, nor their products can fix the big problem(s), at least the ones of importance, by themselves. However, good software can empower with the freedom to innovate, build culture, and harden what is shipped - both before and after it leaves port. Without the appropriate people, process, and toolsets for the job - prior missteps, and the upcoming wave, can be hard to spot. My role as a customer facing consultant and biz dev professional at Microsoft, offers the opportunity to work with clients to inform, and accelerate, the realization of their AI and cloud security strategy across hybrid, private, and cloud-native environments.

Experience

  • Cloud Security Specialist at Palo Alto Networks
    Aug 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 11 mos

  • Senior Associate | Cloud & Digital at PwC
    Aug 2021 - Sep 2022 · 1 yr 2 mos

  • Microsoft (Fargo-Moorhead)
    • Cloud Solution Architect | Data & Artificial Intelligence
      Jan 2020 - Aug 2021 · 1 yr 8 mos

    • Digital Sales | Azure Engagements
      Jan 2018 - Dec 2019 · 2 yrs

  • Account Executive | T-Mobile for Business at T-Mobile
    May 2017 - Jan 2018 · 9 mos

  • Territory Sales Representative at Safeguard-Rick Stallings
    Mar 2016 - May 2017 · 1 yr 3 mos