About Me

Bridging deep technical expertise with practical innovation

I've spent 25+ years building foundational systems that scale, from early web pioneers to modern AI architectures. As an engineer, leader, and perpetual learner, I'm passionate about breaking down complex challenges into first principles and crafting solutions that stand the test of time.

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Career Thread

My journey spans the evolution of modern software: from early Linux and Web technologies, through the dawn of cloud computing, to today's AI revolution. At each step, I've focused on identifying transformative technologies early and building systems that create lasting impact.

View my resume for a detailed look at my career and expertise:

Mike Stanley - Resume.pdf

Looking for Help?

My consulting firm, Tabletop Labs, delivers hands-on development and experienced technical leadership to organizations ready to evolve. Whether you need help building adaptable solutions that combine proven engineering with practical AI integration, or strategic guidance as you scale, we transform complex business challenges into measurable success.

Core Interests & Expertise

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Technical Craftsperson

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Building scalable, maintainable systems
Cloud-native architectures and distributed systems
Data engineering and ML/AI implementation
Early adoption of emerging technologies
Striking the perfect balance between future-proof foundations and delivering immediate value

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Hands-on Leader

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Growing diverse, multidisciplinary teams from ground up
Leading by example with sleeves rolled up
Building cultures of ownership where accountability meets autonomy
Fostering open collaboration with a "disagree and commit" mindset, always anchored in customer obsession

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Startup Builder & Advisor

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Leading startups from inception through successful exits
Guiding founders through critical technical decisions and growth
Providing strategic CTO guidance to early-stage companies
Turning technical vision into market advantages (6+ M&A successes)

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Thought Leadership

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Writing at Pseudorandom Bits about technology trends and engineering insights
Exploring the intersection of traditional engineering and modern AI
Breaking down complex technical concepts
Sharing lessons learned from decades in the field

On the Personal Side

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Family & Adventure

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Blessed with an incredible wife and three amazing kids (8-14) who keep life wonderfully unpredictable while bouncing from field to field, & court to court
Mountain enthusiast in all seasons - carving powder on a snowboard or shredding single-track on two wheels
Beach days and camping trips fuel our family's outdoor spirit
Living for those perfect moments when nature, family, and adventure align

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Maker & Creator

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From cloud to PIDs, I love spending time manipulating atoms - soldering circuits, programming microcontrollers, and bringing hardware ideas to life
Sonic explorer traversing the spectrum, from soulful Strat bends to sampled beats and otherworldly FM synthesis
3D printing enthusiast turning digital dreams into physical reality, one layer and failed print at a time
Avid sci-fi reader who loves imagining tomorrow's possibilities while building today's solutions

Writing and Thought Leadership

Follow me on LinkedIn

Subscribe to my newsletter - Pseudorandom Bits

https://pseudorandombits.substack.com/embed