My Story

Early Life

As a kid, I helped my mom sell personalized children's books at the local flea market. That’s where I learned how to talk to strangers – an invaluable skill that continues to open doors.

Despite my young age, I owned two vending machines at the YMCA. I later sold Cucto Knives door-to-door when I was 16 years old. 

These experiences fast-tracked my entrepreneurial spirit.

I was an all-star basketball player in high school and later became one of the top 12 best players in the state of Alabama.

In college, I played basketball and won the Male Student-Athlete of the Year Award, started two businesses that helped me graduate with zero debt, and learned to bend rules that get in the way of my dreams.

Career

After college, I got an outside sales job and quickly became one of the top sales folks in the state. I later won several sales contests by selling millions of dollars worth of products.

As a marketer and technologist, I’ve sold everything from coaching and consulting to books, technology services, DVDs, and software. I grew one online business to 6-figures within a few months.

I spent the next several years working across technology, strategic marketing, luxury marketing, complex sales, and competitive intelligence.

Those experiences helped me start Smart Alto, an AI startup that helps agents set meetings without cold-calling homeowners. I met with Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI, once weekly for 12 weeks to get the company off the ground.

‍Google, Y Combinator, and AngelPad funded my AI startup. I launched the first AI Phone Receptionist for sales and customer support in my industry. It sounds human, has natural conversations, and has perfect recall.

Today, I am affectionately known as the “Google-backed AI Guy.”. I’ve given talks at corporations like Google and Salesforce, colleges and universities like the University of San Francisco and Penn State, and associations like the National Association of Realtors, to name a few. 

Personal Life

I am a family man, married to the love of my life, Ashley Riggs. Together, we have two kids and live in Ashburn, VA.

I volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Reading Partners, and several startup accelerator programs like TechStars.

My superpower is connecting with folks from all walks of life and building a team of A players who share my beliefs.

I believe we have a moral obligation to pursue something meaningful and not expedient.

I believe ordinary things, done consistently well, produce extraordinary results.

And I believe no one — including me — succeeds alone. So I need great people like you to take a leap of faith and join me.

Help me spread the good news about AI and ChatGPT.

I hope we have a chance to meet in person when I speak at your next buzz worthy event.