Clayton Davis

Senior Practice Leader of AI, ML, and App Dev

AI and cloud delivery executive with 12+ years of experience scaling teams, modernizing applications, and helping clients build durable, AI-powered engineering capabilities.

I grew a software, ML, and AI practice from the ground up to 230+ people and $80M+ in annual run-rate revenue over 4.5 years — partnering with executive stakeholders to turn AI strategy into production outcomes through practical architecture, strong delivery operations, and high-performing teams.

Expertise

AI-Enabled Delivery Leadership

Build and scale delivery capabilities that combine software engineering discipline with pragmatic generative and agentic AI adoption.

Cloud Transformation Execution

Lead modernization programs from discovery through production with clear ownership, quality, and velocity.

Scaling AI Practices & Teams

Grew a software, ML, and AI practice from 0 to 230+ people and $80M+ in annual run-rate revenue over 4.5 years.

Generative AI Strategy & Governance

Define AI adoption roadmaps, delivery models, and governance that move enterprises from pilots to production.

Skills

Cloud

Amazon Web Services
Microsoft Azure
Google Cloud Platform

AI & Machine Learning

Generative AI / LLM Strategy
Claude / Anthropic Platform
Agentic SDLC
Agentic AI Systems
AI Governance & Adoption

Automation

AWS CodePipeline, CodeBuild, and CodeDeploy
GitLab
Jenkins
Cloudformation & Terraform
AWS CDK

Scripting / Coding

Bash
Powershell
Python
NodeJS

Certifications

  • Claude Certified Architect – Professional (Anthropic)
  • Claude Certified Developer – Foundations (Anthropic)
  • Claude Certified Architect – Foundations (Anthropic)
  • Claude Certified Associate – Foundations (Anthropic)
  • AWS Certified Security - Specialty
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
  • AWS Certified DevOps – Professional
  • AWS Certified SysOps – Associate
  • AWS Certified Developer Associate
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
  • VMware Certified Professional 5 (VCP5) – Expired

Work Experience

Senior Practice Leader of AI, ML, and App Dev at Caylent
November, 2024 - Present
Grew the practice from the ground up to 230+ people and $80M+ in annual run-rate revenue over 4.5 years. I now focus on enabling directors and delivery teams to execute consistently across product development, application modernization, machine learning, and generative AI delivery.
  • Grew the practice from inception to 230+ people and $80M+ in annual run-rate revenue over 4.5 years
  • Drove org-wide adoption of agentic SDLC practices, standardizing AI tooling and workflows across all delivery teams
  • Built and published reusable AI skills and plugins that accelerated delivery and enforced quality standards across the practice
  • Define and operationalize generative and agentic AI delivery capabilities across consulting engagements
  • Lead a team of directors responsible for staffing, delivery quality, and client outcomes
  • Serve as a senior escalation point for complex delivery and stakeholder challenges
  • Partner on product and design capability development to improve end-to-end software delivery
  • Support pursuit teams in shaping and selling Caylent AI and cloud services and solutions
Director & Practice Leader - Cloud Native Applications at Caylent
April, 2022 - November, 2024
As an early leader in the Cloud Native Applications practice, I helped build the team, delivery model, and operating cadence needed to scale services quickly without sacrificing quality.
  • Manage a team of technical delivery managers
  • Act as the escalation point for projects for my team and within the Cloud Native Application practice
  • Recruit top talent for the Cloud Native Application practice
  • Partner with sales to shape and win Cloud Native Application engagements
  • Support Cloud Migration and Modernization leadership initiatives as needed
Technical Delivery Manager - Cloud Migration and Modernization at Caylent
May, 2021 - April, 2022
As one of the earliest hires on the professional services delivery team, I worked across delivery management, hiring, and enablement to establish a scalable consulting organization.
  • Manage a team of engineers and architects
  • Recruit and interview potential candidates
  • Build a high-performance team culture centered on quality, ownership, and growth
  • Create offerings and delivery artifacts that improved execution speed and consistency
Lead Solutions Architect at Onica
September, 2020 - May, 2021
Expanded my prior architecture role to include people leadership responsibilities across coaching, performance management, and career development.
  • Manage and mentor a team of engineers and architects
  • Lead solution architecture to align delivery with business outcomes
  • Train clients on AWS platform and operational best practices
Solutions Architect at Onica
September, 2018 - September, 2020
Led migration planning from initial assessment through delivery by creating architecture, defining implementation backlogs, and contributing hands-on execution.
  • Communicate effectively with customers to determine scope and meet timelines
  • Lead a team of engineers and ensure alignment with customer deliverables every sprint
  • Lead enablement sessions to upskill customer teams on newly introduced technologies
Cloud Engineer at Onica
August, 2015 - September, 2018
Delivered cloud migration and modernization work across diverse customer environments, quickly ramping on legacy systems and building modern AWS solutions.
  • Migrate customers to the cloud following an agile methodology
  • Develop cloud native solutions for customers as they migrate legacy applications to the cloud
  • Train customers to operate and evolve their new cloud platforms
Micro Services DevOps Lead Analyst at GE Healthcare
Aug, 2015 - Aug, 2016
Continued from my ITLP rotations to architect microservices for one of GE's largest ERP platforms, enabling mobile and web application delivery while leading a distributed team.
  • Manage a small team of developers
  • Introduced agile delivery practices in a traditionally non-agile environment
IT Leadership at GE Healthcare
Jul, 2013 - Aug, 2015
Completed a selective leadership program built around four six-month rotations spanning project leadership and technical delivery roles.
  • 1st – Migrations project leader for the hosted technology healthcare solutions
  • 2nd – UI/UX project lead for healthcare field service and call center simplification tools
  • 3rd – Mobile API developer for ERP and CRM systems
  • 4th – Platform architect for Micro-Services dev ops team

Education

Graduate Certificate in Business Management from Indiana University
2014 - 2015
This certification was part of the ITLP program and focused on project management and business skills.
BS in Computer and Information Technology - Network Engineering from Purdue University
2009 - 2013
Hands-on degree with significant lab-based coursework across software development, database systems, network engineering, cybersecurity, and project delivery.

Personal Interests

Sports

In the winter I am an avid curler playing in both a local club and traveling for touraments. In the summer I enjoy playing golf recreationally as well as basketball.

I enjoy watching most sports. For NFL, I am an Indianapolis Colts fan. For MLB, I am a St. Louis Cardinals fan. For NBA, I am a Milwaukee Bucks fan. For other sports I enjoy watching them, but not sure I can claim allegiance to any team.

Hobbies

I enjoy hanging out with friends, finding a local craft brewery in whatever city I am in, and spending time with family. I also enjoy my fair share of tech projects and problems to solve in my spare time, like this resume website that is all created through a pipeline.