I help fast-moving teams build scalable, developer-friendly platforms that don't suck.
Developer Experience & Platform Engineering Leader
20+ years — previously Apple · Yahoo · 8×8 · Buffer · BrightRoll
👋 Hey, I'm Matt
I've spent 20+ years building scalable software systems, leading developer teams, and helping businesses grow smarter with AI and automation. I've led DevRel, shaped APIs at scale, and love simplifying complexity so great teams can move fast.
What I Bring
Experience & Expertise
- 20+ years of building and scaling real systems
- Deep experience across Apple, devtools, telecom, and startups
- DevRel leadership bridging product, marketing, and engineering
Leadership & Mindset
- Founder mindset: speed, clarity, outcomes
- Track record of shipping and mentoring
- Expert at simplifying complex systems
Featured Experience
And many more companies building developer platforms and tools
What I've Built
Two decades of shipping — from a Beyoncé-backed startup to a studio full of SaaS products I run today.
Products I've shipped
See all projects →FeedbackThing
Pin-point product feedback
An embeddable widget that lets users pin feedback to the exact spot on the page — turning vague bug reports into precise, contextual signal.
ReviewThing
Turn customers into social proof
Collect, manage, and showcase reviews and testimonials — the sibling to FeedbackThing, built to turn happy customers into growth.
Pickle
A personal CRM that stays in sync
Manage the relationships that matter, with integrations across 2,500+ products so your contacts and context follow you everywhere.
hereby
Time tracking for on-site teams
GPS, customer signatures, timesheets, and expenses for service businesses like elderly care — every feature included, no upsell paywall.
JobTracker.pro
Run your job hunt like a pro
Application tracking, company research, and analytics that keep a tech job search organized and strategic.
Most of it ships under Gardner Tech Group
My software studio — the home base for these products and the consulting that funds them. It's where a lot of what I build ends up.
Visit Gardner Tech GroupTools & Utilities
Maryland Solar Calculator
Interactive calculator to determine if solar makes financial sense for your Maryland home in 2026.
2026 Winter Olympics Tracker
Live schedule, medal winners, and standings for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Latest writing
Read the blog →
This is not for you
What selling candy door to door taught me about selling software.
Read post
An Overnight Success That Wasn't
JobTracker's wait-list went viral overnight — except it was bots. Here's how I cleaned it up with captcha, validation, rate limits, and fingerprinting.
Read post
Slate: The Most Exciting Vehicle I've Ever Seen
Slate is a sub-$20k truck built around right-to-repair, customizable panels, and BYO tech for the dashboard. Here's why it's the truck I've been waiting for.
Read postWhat people say
From founders and teams I've worked with.
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Replace this with a real testimonial (you have some on gardnertechgroup.com). Matt turned our tangled deploy process into something the whole team actually trusts.
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Testimonials collected with ReviewThing — one of my own products.
Thinking About Retiring?
If you're a business owner in the Annapolis area considering retirement, I'm interested in hearing your story. Let's have a conversation about your legacy and the future of what you've built.
Learn More About Selling Your Business🎙️ The Noob Show
A Podcast About Learning in Public
Join me and my co-hosts as we explore the journey of learning new technologies, sharing our experiences, and building in public. From coding challenges to career transitions, we discuss the real stories behind becoming a "noob" in tech.
"I believe great teams ship faster when they trust each other, use the right tools, and cut through noise. I love helping companies build those systems — and I'll bring that same energy to your team.
"
Why Work With Me
I've Walked the Walk
Built products from scratch, scaled infrastructure, debugged the hard stuff, and turned ideas into outcomes. This gives you instant credibility and empathy with engineers.
Developer Experience Is in My DNA
Fundamentally care about improving how engineers work — from DevEx and CI/CD to onboarding and API design. Built tools that make engineers faster and happier.
I Bridge the Gap
Speak both code and customer. Whether it's aligning with execs on KPIs or coaching engineers on product impact, you know how to translate strategy into action.
Builder of Teams
Understand the importance of culture, trust, and clarity. Mentor, lead by example, and design systems where people do their best work.
Relentlessly Pragmatic
Not in love with process for its own sake. Look for what actually helps: reducing friction, simplifying paths, and unblocking teams.
Long-Term Thinker
Care about API consistency, onboarding time, developer happiness, and system resiliency — not just shipping the next sprint.
Let's Work Together
Ready to build something amazing? I'm always open to discussing new projects and opportunities.
Get in Touch