Skip to profile

Scott D.

Fractional COO & Operations/Technology Leader | Building and Scaling Businesses, Teams, and Products

I'm a multiple founder and operations leader who turns ambiguity into structure: clear processes, accountable teams, and operations that scale. I pair business depth (MBA, PMP, NPDP) with hands-on technical fluency, which lets me lead technology-enabled teams credibly and make practical decisions about tools, including AI.

My career has centered on bringing ideas to life and building the operations behind them. I founded and scaled a fully remote digital agency to a 10+ person team and 100+ client projects. Before that, I spent nine years leading strategy and operations for a health system's innovation and commercialization group, where I managed a portfolio of 1,200+ ideas a year, championed 5 startup launches and 11 license agreements, and served as business lead for a $3.5M medical 3D-printing lab. More recently, I've launched a cloud cost-optimization platform and a technology consulting practice for small and mid-sized businesses.

I work best with founders and leadership teams who need someone to bridge strategy, operations, and technology: building the operating rhythm, rolling up my sleeves when needed, and translating between engineers and executives without losing things along the way.

Based in Calgary and available remotely for fractional and part-time COO or operations leadership roles with teams in the U.S. or Canada.

Hire Scott
Scott D.

Work

Spectrum Health Innovations

Spectrum Health Innovations

Led technology commercialization for the innovation division of one of Michigan's largest healthcare systems. Evaluated 1,200+ healthcare technology ideas annually, delivered $8M+ in startup valuations, $1.95M product valuation in clinical trials, and $198K in grant funding. Championed 5 startup launches and 11 license agreements across a 9-year tenure progressing through three increasingly senior roles.

Buddy Web Design & Development

buddywdd.com
Buddy Web Design & Development

Founder-led web design and development firm serving 100+ clients across the U.S. over six years. Manages a remote team of 10 delivering websites, e-commerce, and digital solutions. Maintains a 5/5 Google rating and 4.96/5 on Upwork. Built as a lean, systemized operation — reliable, client-focused, and consistently profitable without outside investment.

Alpenglow Cloud Consulting

alpenglowcloud.com
Alpenglow Cloud Consulting

Founder-built AWS FinOps platform that connects to clients' cloud accounts and delivers recurring PDF reports identifying 15–30% in cost savings. Targets SMBs spending $2k+/month on AWS with no dedicated FinOps team. Reports are readable by CEOs and CFOs, verifiable by engineers. Fully automated pipeline built on GitHub Actions, Python, and CloudFormation.

Experience

May 2026 — Present
Highwood AI Solutions

Highwood AI Solutions

Founder / Owner

Agency providing AI strategy, implementation, and advisory services, as well as AI-accelerated software development - Founded AI consulting practice helping SMBs identify, prioritize, and implement practical AI solutions that improve operational efficiency and business performance - Designed AI solutions spanning voice AI, workflow automation, knowledge systems, and AI-assisted software development to demonstrate practical business applications and accelerate client adoption - Lead business development, strategic partnerships, and thought leadership through executive networking, LinkedIn content, and client advisory engagements

Dec 2019 — Present
Buddy Web Design & Development

Buddy Web Design & Development

Founder & Principal

Buddy Web Design & Development is a 5-star rated web development company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, specializing in web design, e-commerce, and digital branding services.

  • - Directed company-wide operations and technology delivery, overseeing client engagements, finance, and remote business operations for a fully distributed organization
  • - Scaled operations from startup to 100+ successful client projects, including website design, development, maintenance, SEO, and graphic design, achieving a 5/5 star average Google rating
  • - Recruited, built, and managed cross-functional remote team of designers, developers, QA specialists, and other personnel
  • - Developed and implemented hybrid project management processes (traditional and agile) to ensure efficiency and client satisfaction
  • - Leveraged technology and collaboration platforms (Asana, Slack, Loom, cloud-based tools) to streamline communication, project tracking, and stakeholder engagement
Aug 2025 — Jun 2026
Alpenglow Cloud Consulting

Alpenglow Cloud Consulting

Director of Cloud FinOps & Technology

Conceived, designed, and launched an AWS FinOps platform enabling SMBs to identify 15–30% cloud cost savings through automated analysis and structured reporting. Architected scalable delivery model with Python, CloudFormation, GitHub Actions, and Cost Explorer. Paused in 2026 following AWS’ launch of a similar, natively-integrated tool, in order to focus fully on AI implementation work

  • - Architected and deployed production-ready AWS FinOps automation platform that identifies 15-30% cost reduction opportunities through automated anomaly detection, rightsizing analysis, and waste identification across EC2, S3, EBS, and data transfer
  • - Driving maturation of a scalable, productized FinOps service model, focused on designing, building, and automating the delivery of high-ROI cost optimization strategies for SMBs
  • - Building internal operations and technology frameworks, including guides, SOPs, and workflow systems, to enable repeatable delivery, scalability, and automation
Dec 2018 — Dec 2019
Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health

Senior Project Specialist

Spectrum Health is a leading non-profit health system based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering a comprehensive range of services through its hospitals, outpatient care centers, and physician practices.

  • - Business project lead for $3.5 million system-wide medical 3D-printing lab. Developed proposal and business plan, engaged executive and physician stakeholders, and evaluated business and clinical merits, equipment and staffing needs, and legal and regulatory implications.
  • - Led innovation portfolio for $727,000 medical device development grant with two local universities. Led opportunity analysis and evaluation of high-potential healthcare technologies.
Dec 2014 — Dec 2018
Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health

Manager, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

  • - Managed SHI’s early-stage technology portfolio, evaluating 1,200+ healthcare technology ideas annually and managing 10–20 concurrent projects
  • - Delivered measurable outcomes: $198K in grant funding, $1.95M product valuation in clinical trials, $8M startup valuation at Series A investment round.
  • - Championed 5 startup launches and 11 license agreements to commercialize SHI technologies
  • - Built and led a cross-functional team of six spanning business, engineering, and clinical expertise Implemented agile and traditional methodologies to deliver healthcare technologies effectively
Dec 2010 — Dec 2014
Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health

Product Commercialization Manager

  • - Managed 15–25 concurrent technology projects, from concept through development and launch
  • - Drove commercialization strategy through licensing agreements and industry partnerships