About Me
Hi, I’m Max — an Infrastructure Engineer, automation enthusiast, and relentless problem solver based in Madison, WI.
By day, I specialize in designing hybrid cloud architectures, automating infrastructure with tools like Terraform, Ansible, Kubernetes, and driving large-scale Cisco and Meraki network automation (including deep API integrations). I’m passionate about making complex systems approachable — whether it’s building scalable solutions, refining automation pipelines, or sharing knowledge to help others level up.
Outside of work, you’ll find me deep in my homelab, developing AI-driven side projects like Roy (an experimental AI life simulator) and Jarvis (my custom home assistant), or even crafting Skyrim mods that push the game’s boundaries. I’m endlessly curious — always eager to explore new technologies, prototype creative ideas, and blend automation with innovation wherever I can.
When I’m not immersed in tech, you’ll catch me racing my car, gaming, diving into DIY projects, or hunting for the next great coffee spot.
My Work
- GitHub Projects — Explore my full range of code projects, from experiments and prototypes to production-ready tools across automation, infrastructure, and AI.
- My Wiki — Dive into detailed walkthroughs, technical guides, architecture diagrams, and lessons learned from my projects and homelab experiments.
- Portfolio (below) — See a curated selection of the projects I’m most proud of, with focused summaries, key outcomes, and live links.
Portfolio
Work-Cisco: Automation Toolkit
A unified automation toolkit supporting both Cisco on-prem infrastructure and Meraki cloud networks. Combines Python scripts, Terraform, and Ansible to streamline device management, configuration, and BGP peering setup across hybrid environments.
View on GitHubJarvis AI Assistant
A voice-activated Python assistant that integrates GPT and ElevenLabs TTS to control Home Assistant, Proxmox, and other smart home systems. Designed for natural voice interaction and automation.
View on GitHubRoy: AI Life Simulator
Roy is an experimental AI-driven life simulator inspired by the Rick and Morty “Roy” arcade game. Combining large language models, dynamic memory, and multi-agent systems, it aims to create emergent, replayable life paths where no two playthroughs are the same.
Coming soon — stay tuned for project updates!
Homelab
My homelab is the backbone of my learning and experimentation. I run Proxmox clusters, TrueNAS storage, Kubernetes (RKE2), Docker stacks, and a mix of automation tools across on-prem and cloud environments. It’s where I break things safely, test new ideas, and build personal projects ranging from AI assistants to smart home integrations.
Current setup highlights:
- Proxmox VE + Backup Server
- TrueNAS Scale (iSCSI + ZFS)
- Kubernetes (Rancher, RKE2) clusters
- Home Assistant for smart home control
- Self-hosted services: Wiki.js, Git, Jellyfin, and more
- You can find the full list on my Wiki!
All My Links
Want to explore everything I’m working on? Check out my full Linkstack below — it’s a one-stop hub for my GitHub, Wiki, LinkedIn, projects, and more.
Blog
I’m planning to share blog posts on topics like:
- Infrastructure automation best practices
- Homelab builds and upgrade logs
- Lessons from cloud + hybrid architecture
- AI tools and how I’m integrating them into personal + professional projects
- Career tips for IT engineers and architects
Stay tuned! First posts launching soon.
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- GitHub
Want to collaborate, connect, or just geek out about tech? Shoot me a message!