Clayton Smith, MBA

Enterprise Technology Leader | Cloud, Security, Open Source & AI

Cedar Park, TX (Austin Area)
c@c1ayton.net • linkedin.com/in/claytonsmith

Professional Summary

Enterprise technology leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise sales leadership, open source technologies, executive customer engagement, and AI adoption. Proven track record helping enterprise organizations modernize infrastructure, strengthen security posture, and adopt emerging technologies across cloud and hybrid environments.

Currently serving as a Principal Security Specialist at Amazon Web Services (AWS), working with enterprise customers across Financial Services, Telecommunications, Media, Gaming, Manufacturing, and ISV organizations. Recognized for executive communication, technical curiosity, public speaking, strategic leadership, and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical business outcomes.

Long-time Linux and Ubuntu user with deep personal interest in open source ecosystems, cloud-native infrastructure, virtualization, networking, automation, and modern infrastructure operations. Actively builds and operates self-hosted infrastructure and homelab environments leveraging Ubuntu, Docker, Proxmox, WireGuard, Kubernetes, AWS, and cloud-native tooling.

In recent years, has also focused heavily on practical AI adoption, generative AI workflows, AI security considerations, and AI-assisted automation. Uses modern AI tooling including ChatGPT, Claude, Amazon Q, Codex, and Kiro to support research, workflow automation, customer preparation, and lightweight application development.

Core Areas of Expertise

  • Enterprise Cloud Strategy
  • Cybersecurity & Security Modernization
  • Executive Customer Engagement
  • Open Source Technologies
  • Ubuntu & Linux Infrastructure
  • AWS & Cloud Platforms
  • Containers & Virtualization
  • AI Adoption & AI Security
  • Enterprise Sales Leadership
  • Strategic GTM Development
  • Public Speaking & Executive Workshops
  • Distributed Team Leadership
  • Infrastructure Modernization
  • Technical Customer Advisory
  • Cloud-Native Infrastructure
  • Networking & VPN Technologies
  • Automation & Operational Efficiency
  • Cross-Functional Leadership

Professional Experience

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Principal Security Specialist
Austin, TX | February 2022 - Present

Lead enterprise customer engagements focused on cloud infrastructure, security modernization, AI adoption, and open-source-enabled cloud transformation initiatives.

Work closely with executives, CISOs, technical leaders, and AWS account teams on complex cloud opportunities influencing more than $140M in annual business outcomes and pipeline activity.

Support enterprise customers across Financial Services, Telecommunications, Media, Gaming, Manufacturing, and ISV organizations, many of whom operate large Linux and cloud-native environments.

Regularly present at customer events, executive briefings, workshops, and industry sessions on cloud strategy, AI security, security culture, generative AI, and modern infrastructure practices.

Built practical automation and AI-assisted workflows for account planning, customer research, systems management, and operational efficiency.

Use Linux, Docker, containerized infrastructure, cloud tooling, and automation platforms in personal and lab environments for ongoing experimentation and learning.

Led CISO Circle programs and executive engagement initiatives spanning hundreds of enterprise security and technology leaders across multiple AWS organizations.

Created customer and field enablement programs including workshops, podcasts, technical education sessions, and video-based enablement content.

Earned consecutive Amazon “Exceeds High Bar” performance ratings and recognized internally for executive presence, customer engagement, strategic influence, and thought leadership.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cybersecurity Specialist / Territory Account Manager
Austin, TX | October 2014 - January 2022

Led enterprise cybersecurity and infrastructure sales engagements across multiple U.S. territories including Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

Achieved 130%+ of plan in FY19 and FY20, generating $19.2M in security revenue.

Recognized as Cisco Sales Champion (Top 10% worldwide sales performance).

Developed executive-level customer engagement strategies resulting in multiple competitive infrastructure and security wins.

Selected for Cisco Accelerate leadership cohort and Cisco Aspiring Leader Program.

tw telecom

Sales Director
Albuquerque, NM | August 2013 - October 2014

Led a diverse sales team focused on new growth of telecom services across businesses of all sizes.

Managed local sales operations, forecasting, coaching, hiring, and strategic account development.

Exceeded sales targets and helped drive one of the strongest performance periods in the region.

Advanced Network Management (ANM)

Sales Manager
Albuquerque, NM | July 2009 - August 2013

Managed company sales organization focused on enterprise infrastructure and technology solutions.

Led strategic sales planning, partner relationships, coaching, mentoring, forecasting, and customer engagement initiatives.

Helped nearly double company revenue during tenure through enterprise infrastructure and technology sales growth.

Worked extensively with Cisco, HP, virtualization, networking, and enterprise infrastructure technologies.

Earlier Leadership Experience

Held leadership and business development roles with Sonitrol, One Connect IP, and Education Technologies, Inc.

At One Connect IP, managed a 21-person sales organization across a large portion of the western United States focused on growing revenue for VoIP technologies.

Open Source & Infrastructure Experience

  • Ubuntu/Linux user since Ubuntu 4.10 with extensive CLI and headless server administration experience
  • Hands-on experience with Docker, Kubernetes, Proxmox virtualization, WireGuard, Apache, Caddy, and containerized infrastructure
  • Operate self-hosted and homelab infrastructure environments focused on networking, security, automation, virtualization, and cloud-native tooling
  • Deploy and manage workloads across AWS, Docker, Proxmox, GitHub, and Linux-based infrastructure platforms
  • Experienced with VPN technologies, DNS management, cloud-native security concepts, and infrastructure experimentation

AI & Automation Experience

  • Built practical AI-assisted workflows for account planning, customer research, systems management, meeting preparation, and operational efficiency
  • Implemented RAG-based chatbot solutions using Amazon Q for small business use cases and experimentation
  • Developed lightweight AI-enabled applications using modern generative AI tooling and AI-assisted development workflows
  • Use modern AI platforms including ChatGPT, Claude, Amazon Q, Codex, and Kiro for research, automation, workflow augmentation, and experimentation
  • Experimented with MCP-connected AI tooling and agentic AI concepts to improve productivity and contextual workflows
  • Regularly engage enterprise customers on AI adoption, AI governance, AI security, and enterprise transformation discussions

Speaking & Technical Leadership

Presented customer and executive sessions on:

  • Cloud security and security culture
  • Generative AI security
  • Infrastructure modernization
  • Amazon Security Lake
  • Enterprise AI adoption
  • Security operations and governance
  • Cloud-native infrastructure strategy

Regular speaker at executive workshops, AWS customer events, and industry sessions focused on cloud transformation, infrastructure modernization, security strategy, and AI adoption.

Known for translating complex infrastructure and security concepts into practical business-focused discussions for enterprise audiences.

Education

Harvard Extension School
Post Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity

Colorado State University
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

University of New Mexico
Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing Management

Certifications

  • AWS Certified AI Practitioner
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
  • AWS Certified Senior Speaker
  • AWS Cloud Practitioner
  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

Leadership & Community Involvement

  • Board Member - Jail to Jobs
  • InfraGard Member
  • INCubator Mentor of the Year (2021-2023)
  • Former President and Board Chairman - Pacific West Chapter, Venture Tech Network

Personal Interests

Outside of work, Clayton enjoys technology experimentation, homelab infrastructure projects, open source software, AI workflows, cloud architecture, networking, automation, and cybersecurity research. He is also a sports enthusiast and active mentor within his community.