Joshua S. Nichols

Operations executive and AI strategy leader with 18 years building and running the systems that keep complex operations working - from naval nuclear propulsion plants to regulated medical device manufacturing to, most recently, building an organization's AI capability from zero. I set technology strategy, own governance and risk policy for AI deployment, evaluate and select the right tools for the business rather than the trendiest ones, and translate technical capability into outcomes an executive can act on. I have built this function as a company's sole owner of AI strategy and execution - the scope of a Director/VP mandate without yet the formal title - and I am seeking that title next.

Director of AI Solutions - Jet Black Solutions

(2025-01)

Own AI strategy and technology roadmap for the company end to end: sole architect of the organization's AI capability, built from zero with no prior function or team to inherit.

• Set governance and risk policy for all AI deployment: authored the operating constitution governing every AI agent's access and behavior, defined a per-system access control matrix (read vs. write, human-approval gates on consequential actions), and drew hard lines around financial systems, credentials, and client-confidential data that the organization now treats as standard policy.
• Evaluate and select the technology stack rather than defaulting to vendor hype: chose the agent runtime, model-routing approach, and integration pattern based on total cost of ownership, data control, and fit - the same judgment a VP of Technology is expected to exercise on build-vs-buy decisions.
• Established an independent security audit practice for AI deployments (automated configuration scanning against a graded standard), instituting a repeatable governance checkpoint that did not exist before.
• Designed and lead a phased deployment methodology (discovery, architecture, staged rollout, handoff) now used as the organization's repeatable playbook for every new AI deployment, internal or client-facing.
• Serve as the senior client-facing strategist across concurrent engagements, translating technical capability into ROI and risk terms that non-technical executives act on - the trust relationship a Director is expected to own personally.
• Built a data-quality governance tool for CRM migrations: a rules-based assessment and human-gated cleanup framework now used ahead of every migration engagement to control risk and scope work accurately before committing to a client price.
• Own cost governance for AI systems: instituted a tiered model-routing policy that defaults to the lowest-cost capable resource and escalates only with justification, controlling operating cost as usage scales.

Founder & Principal - Echostate

(2026-01)

Founded and run an AI implementation consultancy end to end: strategy, methodology, delivery, and P&L - full executive ownership of a business, not a role within one.

• Built the firm's flagship offering, an AI Labor & Process Audit methodology, quantifying automation ROI role-by-role for operations-heavy clients - a repeatable diagnostic and pricing framework, not a one-off engagement.
• Set the firm's technology and vendor evaluation standards, maintaining an internal, continuously updated knowledge base of AI tools graded by verified fit rather than marketing claims.

Production Manager - SP Meditec

(2025-02 - 2025-05)

Directed full-facility production operations under FDA/ISO regulatory requirements during a critical build-out phase, owning schedule, budget, staffing, and quality outcomes.

• Built the KPI and reporting framework used to run the business - the operating cadence a plant or business unit leader is expected to institute.

Product Lead, Lifecycle Operations - Gerresheimer

(2023-01 - 2025-12)

• Led a 200% factory capacity expansion end to end: capital planning, workforce scaling, logistics, and facility build - a general-management scope spanning multiple functions.
• Owned the executive relationship and escalation path for the company's largest customer account, the highest-stakes account relationship at the site.
• Reduced cost of non-quality 22% year over year while growing customer deliverables 10% - simultaneous cost and growth outcomes, the dual mandate expected of a senior operator.

Project Manager - Osmose Utilities

(2020-01 - 2023-12)

Owned end-to-end delivery of utility infrastructure projects: scope, field execution, data quality, and client-facing contractual accountability.

Implementation Engineer - IPA

(2019-01 - 2020-12)

Led client-facing installation, commissioning, and training for industrial automation deployments, owning technical and relationship outcomes on-site.

Nuclear Reactor Operator / Electronics Technician First Class (E-6) - US Navy

(2008-01 - 2016-12)

Qualified as a nuclear propulsion plant supervisor, holding authority over the operation and maintenance of a naval reactor plant by junior operators - a formal leadership and qualification role, not an individual contributor position.

• Built and certified the next generation of operators, running the training and qualification pipeline for a technical crew under real operational stakes.