David Folsom

About David Folsom

A seasoned technology leader and architect with over two decades of experience guiding complex, multi-million dollar initiatives. I\'ve built a career on a foundation of hands-on technical expertise, evolving into a strategic leader who modernizes legacy platforms, drives innovation, and mentors the next generation of engineers.My journey began in the trenches, where I led development teams in creating and supporting mission-critical systems. This experience provided me with a deep understanding of full-stack development, allowing me to transition into managing large onshore and offshore teams and even establish a new robotics practice.Today, as a Senior Product Architect, I operate at the intersection of technology and business strategy. I specialize in the modernization of legacy systems, designing and architecting cloud-native solutions on AWS that directly address key business challenges, from business continuity to cybersecurity. I am passionate about mentoring and collaborating with product teams to translate client feedback into tangible technological improvements.My work has consistently focused on delivering tangible results, whether it\'s building a new platform from the ground up, ensuring the flawless operation of core financial systems, or architecting a solution that drives efficiency and cost savings. I thrive on solving complex problems and driving impactful change.

Experience

1. Senior Product Architect

   Vanguard

   Jan 2022 — Present · Charlotte, NC, US

   Lead the modernization of Vanguard\'s Financial Advisor Services (FAS) platform, serving as the lead architect for the new mutual fund trading system. Redesigned the platform to use AWS and function as the new \"front door\" for a next-generation record-keeping system.Spearhead the Next Gen Hosting program for FAS, leading the modernization of legacy compute and data systems. Conduct in-depth analysis of mainframe and DB2 legacy infrastructure to determine migration strategies and communicate options and impacts to senior technical leaders.Designed and developed a new architecture for the FAS platform to ensure business continuity and resilience against cyber threats, proactively preparing the business to remain operational during unexpected activity.Provided critical architectural expertise for legacy trading systems, ensuring flawless operation while evaluating new business enhancements for feasibility, scope, and technical complexity.Mentor a team of five architects and two developers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth within the FAS technology division.Contribute to product management strategy, frequently collaborating with product teams to translate client feedback and pain points into new technology solutions and product improvements.

Education

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Computer Science

  2003 — 2007

• Georgia Institute of Technology

  Master of Science - MS, Computer Science

  2017 — 2020

Skills

• Agile Methodologies
• Javascript
• Xml
• Java
• Java Enterprise Edition
• Spring
• Spring Framework
• Software Project Management
• Sql
• Software Development