Brian Boelsterli

About Brian Boelsterli

I help enterprises transform through technology—combining 30+ years hands-on platform engineering with proven operational frameworks to accelerate software delivery and prepare organizations for growth.Transformation Specialist | Active BuilderTwo-time CEO, AWS Product Leader, now fractional CXO helping mid-market companies position for private equity acquisition. Recent focus: AI integration, spec-driven development, and platform engineering.Technical Foundation: • Platform Engineering: Built systems serving developers at AWS. Current: Healthcare AI governance (sub-2-minute claims validation), hospitality platforms (35% downtime reduction) • Spec-Driven Development: Pioneering bmad-method (machine-readable specs with AI code generation). Active experimentation via bb-engineering-portfolio with AI Agents (PAI) OpenClaw• Modern Practices: Team Topologies, TDD, ADRs, systematic quality improvement • AI Integration: Platform approach across People, Products, OperationsOperational Excellence (Amazon-Inspired): • Working Backwards (PR/FAQ), Rhythm of Business (WBR/MBR/QBR) • CREDS Governance: Cadence, Reporting, Execution, Decision, Strategy • SCIPAB Decisioning: Reduces decision latency from weeks to daysRecent Engagement (Confidential Mid-Market E-Commerce): Role evolved Fractional CTO → CTO → COO/CTO (10 weeks) spanning 8 departments. Outcomes with client leadership: zero engineering attrition, morale 3.0→4.5/5, introduced CREDS/SCIPAB/Team Topologies, led AI readiness assessment, implemented spec-driven development, facilitated Working Backwards strategic planning.Why 95% of AI Initiatives Fail (MIT Research): Organizations treat AI as technology problem vs. organizational capability challenge. My platform engineering approach addresses root causes: fragmented structures, cognitive overload, misaligned team topologies.Connect if you\'re: • Mid-market CEO/CFO seeking transformation (operational + technology) • PE operator needing portfolio company acceleration • Technical executive exploring spec-driven development and AI AgentsActive Work: bb-engineering-portfolio (github.com/basilan/bb-engineering-portfolio) Focus: AI Agents (PAI), spec-driven development POCs, platform engineering patterns

Experience

1. Principal & Fractional Cxo

   Cyclonix Systems

   Jan 2025 — Present

   Leading AI integration and platform engineering transformations for mid-market companies, delivering strategic technical expertise combined with operational rigor.• AI-Enhanced Development: Implementing AI across People (developer productivity), Products (SDLC automation), Operations (platform management)• Platform Engineering: Developing AI Readiness Assessment framework enabling high-impact automation identification• Operational Excellence: Introducing Amazon-inspired frameworks (Working Backwards, Rhythm of Business)- establishing CREDS governance, SCIPAB decisioning• Active Development: Maintaining bb-engineering-portfolio (github.com/basilan/bb-engineering-portfolio) with POCs exploring spec-driven development and AI Agents (PAI)Key Achievements:Confidential Mid-Market E-Commerce Client (Oct 2025 - Present):Engaged as Fractional COO/CTO, role evolved to CTO (Dec 2025), then COO/CTO (Jan 2026) spanning 8 operational departments.• Team: Zero attrition Q4, morale 3.0→4.5/5 via Team Topologies • Operations: Introduced CREDS governance, SCIPAB decisioning • AI Strategy: Led AI readiness assessment across pricing, analytics, segmentation • Engineering: Implemented spec-driven development, systematic security remediation • Strategic Planning: Facilitated Working Backwards sessions, PR/FAQ, 4-Quarter Roadmap

Education

• University of San Francisco

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

• MIT Professional Education

  Certificate of Completion, Artificial Intelligence

• UC Santa Barbara

  Associate of Science - AS, Computer Science, Computer Science