In the summer of 2020, the world was in flux. The COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted live events and sports venues across the globe. Fans were locked out, stadiums were silent, and the future of in-person experiences was uncertain.

Then came the call.

In July 2020, the Cleveland Browns reached out with a challenge: Could we build a facial recognition system that would let fans enter the stadium completely touch-free—safely, securely, and fast?

The clock was ticking. The NFL season was just weeks away.

As a veteran entrepreneur and builder of fast-moving tech solutions, I knew this wasn’t a theoretical exercise—it was a chance to deliver real impact in real time. I partnered with the team at Wicket, a company already pushing the limits of facial authentication technology. Together, we rapidly mapped out a solution that combined Wicket’s cutting-edge platform with custom development tailored to the Browns’ operational and security needs.

We didn’t just prototype—we launched.

From concept to kickoff, the entire project took just eight weeks. In September 2020, the Cleveland Browns became the first NFL team to implement Express Access, a frictionless facial ticketing system built to withstand the pressures of live gameday environments.

And it worked.

Fans loved the speed and convenience. Stadium staff appreciated the efficiency and hygiene. And the Browns saw firsthand what was possible when innovation meets execution.

Since then, the Express Access platform has evolved into a cornerstone product—expanding across multiple teams, venues, and industries. What started as a bold idea in a pandemic-stricken summer has grown into a multi-year success story.

This is what I do. I turn urgency into opportunity, and ideas into scalable technology.