Stephen D. Thomas
AI Cloud Architect & Team Lead
Architecting institutional-grade cloud infrastructure with zero-downtime track record across multi-cloud environments.
Global Infrastructure
This resume is deployed across 9 data centers on 3 cloud providers. Click a region to learn more.
All Regions (9)
The Journey
From building computers in 6th grade to architecting global cloud infrastructure
The First Build
Built my first computer from parts in 6th grade. Not from a kit — sourced components, assembled the machine, installed the OS. While most kids were playing games, I was figuring out IRQ conflicts and jumper settings on motherboards.
Discovered that building things from scratch was the only way that felt right.
First Business
Started selling custom-built computers to classmates, teachers, and neighbors. Learned pricing, customer service, and the art of the upsell — all before turning 13. This was the first time technology became a business, not just a hobby.
Entrepreneurship was in the DNA from day one.
Edina Football Goes Online
Hosted Edina Football's website using Road Runner cable internet. Designed the site, managed the hosting from a home server, and kept it running for the team and community. In 8th grade, I was already running production web infrastructure.
Proved that real infrastructure could run from anywhere — the cloud mindset before the cloud existed.
From Helpdesk to IT Manager
Started on the helpdesk at Sybaritic, a medical device manufacturer. Didn't just answer tickets — identified patterns, automated repetitive tasks, and grew the role until I was managing IT for the entire organization. This is where the enterprise mindset was forged.
Learned that the best way to advance is to make yourself indispensable by solving problems nobody asked you to solve.
Senior Consultant — Financial & Legal
Joined an MSP and quickly became the senior consultant responsible for our most demanding clients — financial firms and law firms. These industries don't tolerate downtime, data loss, or excuses. Built highly available infrastructure, managed complex Exchange migrations (10,000+ mailboxes), and delivered VMware implementations and Hyper-V environments. This was the proving ground for enterprise-grade reliability.
Financial services and legal — two industries where failure is measured in millions. Zero tolerance became the standard.
Microsoft Power BI & Azure Data Warehouse
Took time to consult directly with Microsoft during the Power BI preview phase. Converted Power Query reports to Power BI, built their Azure Data Warehouse, and supported the surrounding infrastructure. Got hands-on with the platform before it was generally available — shaping how enterprise analytics would work at scale.
Working with Microsoft on a product before GA — few people get to shape the tools that millions will use.
SaaS Administration — Enterprise Scale
Worked as SaaS Administrator at FPX, where the client roster included the nation's top credit card processors and helicopter manufacturers. Managed enterprise SaaS platforms at massive scale — uptime, security, and performance for clients who move billions in transactions.
When your clients process billions in credit card transactions, 'good enough' doesn't exist.
Data Center Migration to Azure
Led the data center migration of a 3M product (Bibliotheca) from 3M's on-premises data center to Azure. This was a full lift — not a simple rehost, but a re-architecture for cloud-native operation. IoT security architecture for library systems deployed globally.
Moved a physical product's entire infrastructure to the cloud — bridging the gap between hardware and software at scale.
Green Field Cloud Build — AWS
Green field AWS build for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. Everything automated from day one — no in-place patching, no manual deployments. Rip and replace architecture with A/B deployments. Started with CloudFormation, transitioned to Terraform. This was cloud done right: immutable infrastructure, automated everything, zero drift.
Proved that healthcare infrastructure can be both compliant and cutting-edge — no compromises.
45,000-User Entra ID Migration — Zero Downtime
Performed a 45,000-user Entra ID migration at Fairview Health Services. Disconnected all 45,000 users from Entra ID Sync, disconnected every security group and synced object, re-mapped and re-anchored the Source Anchor — all with zero issues, zero downtime, and zero user impact. This had never been done at this scale. Promoted from Cloud Security Architect & Engineer Consultant to Supervisor of Cybersecurity, Cloud Access & Federation.
Did something that had never been done — 45,000 users, zero downtime. The track record isn't theoretical.
Building the Cloud from Scratch — Global Hedge Fund
Joined Farallon Capital Management and built their entire cloud infrastructure from the ground up as the sole architect. Terraform everything — every module, every network, every identity. Global multi-cloud footprint across Azure, AWS, and GCP. Built Express Route circuits, GCP tunnels, intra-cloud connectivity. Designed custom Service Principal lifecycle management with expiration and rotation processes. Trained helpdesk teams. Built tooling. Created Farallon's first AI assistant — an internal chat system. Built Fusion Nexus (full cloud management platform), Fusion Forge (Jira replacement), and architected the global network. Designed Zero-Retention Data Sandboxes for secure data operations. Built NAV, PAC, and reconciliation processes in Azure for investment operations.
Sole architect building a hedge fund's entire global cloud. Every module, every network, every identity — from zero to global production.
AI Infrastructure & The Future
Currently leading AI infrastructure initiatives at the intersection of cloud architecture and artificial intelligence. Working on C2PA (Content Provenance and Authenticity) for verifiable AI content. Designing Agent-to-Agent communication protocols for autonomous system orchestration. Building institutional-grade AI automation that serves investment management operations — NAV calculations, reconciliation processes, and portfolio analytics. The future of infrastructure is intelligent, autonomous, and provably trustworthy.
Infrastructure doesn't just host applications anymore — it thinks, decides, and acts. Building the systems that make that possible at institutional scale.
Experience
15+ years of progressively complex infrastructure challenges
Farallon Capital Management is a San Francisco-based multi-strategy investment firm founded in 1986, managing approximately $40 billion in capital across public equity, credit, real assets, and direct investments. The firm operates globally with offices in San Francisco, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and London, deploying capital across developed and emerging markets. Farallon is one of the longest-tenured and most respected hedge funds in the industry, known for disciplined risk management and a research-intensive investment process.
AI Cloud Architect — Team Lead
Jan 2024 — Present (2 yrs 4 mos)Leading AI infrastructure initiatives and cloud architecture for a global investment firm. Designing C2PA content provenance systems, Agent-to-Agent communication protocols, and institutional-grade AI automation. Managing team while continuing to architect and build multi-cloud infrastructure.
- Leading C2PA content provenance implementation
- Designing Agent-to-Agent protocol architecture
- Building AI-driven investment operations automation (NAV, PAC, reconciliation)
- Managing and mentoring cloud engineering team
- Continuing to expand global multi-cloud footprint
Cloud Architect
Apr 2022 — Present (4 yrs 1 mo)Built the firm's entire cloud infrastructure from zero as sole architect. Designed and deployed global multi-cloud topology across Azure, AWS, and GCP. Created all Terraform modules, networking, identity management, and security controls. Built internal platforms including AI assistant, cloud management system, and project management tools.
- Built entire cloud infrastructure from zero — sole architect
- Designed global multi-cloud footprint (Azure, AWS, GCP)
- Created all Terraform modules for infrastructure as code
- Deployed Express Route circuits and GCP tunnels for intra-cloud connectivity
- Built custom Service Principal lifecycle management with rotation
- Created Farallon AI Assistant — first internal AI chat system
- Built Fusion Nexus — full cloud management platform
- Built Fusion Forge — project management platform replacing Jira
- Designed Zero-Retention Data Sandboxes
- Built NAV, PAC, and reconciliation processes in Azure
- Trained helpdesk teams and built operational tooling
Capabilities Developed
Skills & Expertise
63+ endorsed skills across cloud, security, AI, and development
Cloud Platforms
Infrastructure as Code
Identity & Security
Networking
Containers & Orchestration
AI & Machine Learning
Development
Virtualization
Cloud Computing
Recommendations
19 received on LinkedIn — here are a few
“Steve was one of the nicest IT people I ever worked with: he was always happy to help, patient, smiling and professional. We collaborated on many in house projects to promote some of our products (marketing and training tools) and he showed great initiative, ideas, quality and fast delivery from start to finish. As a product manager he was a great asset to my work; I really enjoyed working with Steve and would recommend him for any position.”
“Steven is a remarkably dedicated individual with a wealth of experience and a huge passion for cloud based infrastructure and web development. He's always keen to improve and has a great work ethic. He was my web based wing man at Imagine IT.”
“Steve demonstrated a unique balance of organization and creativity to provide specialized IT solutions for our team. He listened to our needs and provided a variety of ideas with our desired outcome in mind. He showed a great amount of skill and know how with building a variety of web based programs and solutions.”
“I would highly recommend Steve. He has always worked very hard both personally and professionally. He is very detailed and continues to prove no challenge is too difficult.”