cbwash
Senior Vice President of Engineering at Koalafi
Leading engineering strategy and recruitment at Koalafi while optimizing high-level architecture and deployment frequency.
Intro
I'm the SVP of Engineering at Koalafi, where I focus on building scalable fintech solutions and fostering a high-performing engineering culture. My journey started in deep technical roles, including 15 years as an architect and director, before I moved into leadership to help transform how we deliver software. I'm a firm believer that 'frequency reduces difficulty'—I've led teams from bi-weekly releases to becoming DORA 'High Performers' with multiple daily deployments. I'm passionate about mentorship, sustainable engineering paces, and the philosophy that building the right product is just as vital as building it well. Whether I'm whiteboarding a new architecture or looking for top-tier backend and DevOps talent to join our mission, I'm always looking to connect with people who value technical excellence and continuous improvement.
Networking
What I can offer
- ›Mentorship for developers and DevOps leaders
- ›Insights on scaling fintech infrastructure
- ›Expertise in CI/CD and operational transformation
What I'm looking for
- ›Software Engineers (backend/API focus)
- ›DevOps leaders
- ›Sales and Account Management talent for Koalafi
Best fit for
Focus
Current interests
Core competencies
Background
Career
Began as a research intern at VCU before spending 15 years at CapTech as a Director and Architect. Transitioned to Koalafi (formerly West Creek Financial) where he rose from VP of DevOps to SVP of Engineering over a 7-year tenure.
Education
B.S. in Computer Science, Minors in Math and Physics from Virginia Commonwealth University (2001 – 2004), Cum Laude.
Achievements
- ›Achieved DORA 'High Performer' status by moving from bi-weekly to daily releases
- ›Built multi-tenant AWS account structures using Transit Gateway and EKS
- ›Distinguished Service Award winner for VCU School of Engineering
- ›Mentored hundreds of developers throughout career
Opinions
- Frequency reduces difficulty: if something hurts - do it more often.
- It is more important to build the right thing than just to build it right.
- The whiteboard is the most powerful development tool.
- Spaces over Tabs (though open to debate).
Personality
Communication style
Professional and encouraging with a hands-on engineering spirit; uses industry humor and anecdotes about real-world support.
Formality — 6/10
Vocabulary