Zack Johnston

About Me

I show up.
I figure it out.
I don't quit.

Raised in Denton, Texas. Currently based in Southern Colorado. I've built things from scratch my entire life — businesses, systems, teams, and processes that actually work.

I've led 8-person engineering teams, managed $250M projects, built and scaled a multi-location business that ended up on TV and in magazines, and tuned diesel engines at the hex level. I use AI tools every single day.

I'm looking for a remote role where I can do what I do best — handle complexity, communicate clearly, and build systems that actually work.

⚡

Technical Depth

ECM tuning, hex-level code, diesel systems, web development, AI tools. I learn fast and go deep.

📡

Remote Ready

Dedicated home office. Fast connection. Zero excuses. I show up on time and get it done.

🔧

Builder Mindset

From roll cages to websites to businesses — I build things that work and teams that don't break down.

What I Do

SKILLS

Technical Support

End-to-end support operations. Ticket management, escalation handling, root cause analysis. Led 8-person technical team at Bully Dog — finished a year-long project 4 months early and 20% under budget.

Customer Operations

High-volume multi-stakeholder communication across chat, email, and phone. Built structured troubleshooting processes that reduced repeat issues and improved response times.

Project Management

Managed a $250M commercial demolition project coordinating 40-person crews, 4 government agencies, daily reporting, logistics, and timelines. Delivered ahead of schedule and under budget.

Web Design & SEO

Build clean, fast, mobile-responsive websites. Google Business setup and optimization. Local SEO implementation. AI-assisted development that delivers professional results faster.

AI Tools & Automation

Daily user of Claude, ChatGPT, and AI development tools. Can build custom AI workflows, automate repetitive processes, and translate AI capabilities into practical business solutions.

Business Operations

Founded and scaled Bearded Lady Brand to multiple locations — featured in magazines, television, and film. Managed 18+ staff, vendors, marketing, and full P&L for nearly 8 years.

Proof of Work

PORTFOLIO

Web Design — Live Site

Lucky Blue Tattoo

Full one-page website built for a new tattoo studio in Southern Colorado. Custom photography integration, mobile responsive, deployed and live.

View Live Site

Operations — Bully Dog

Technical Support Leadership

Led 8-person engineering team on vehicle tuning systems. Built structured troubleshooting processes from scratch. Delivered a year-long project 4 months early, 20% under budget.

2008 – 2012

Project Management — Precision Demolition

$250M Commercial Project

Managed full operations for a large-scale commercial demolition. Coordinated 40-person crew across 4 agencies. Delivered one month ahead of schedule and under budget.

2006 – 2008

Brand Building — Bearded Lady

Multi-Location Business

Founded and scaled a barbershop and tattoo studio from a single Snap-on truck into a multi-location brand. Featured in magazines, television, and film productions.

2014 – 2020

AI Consulting — Current

AI Tools for Small Business

Helping independent businesses adopt AI tools to save time and cut costs. Custom prompts, workflow automation, and hands-on training for non-technical owners.

2024 – Present

Technical — ECM Tuning

Diesel ECM & Hex Code

Factory-level ECM modifications and hex-level diesel tuning. Driver and engineer simultaneously — understood the machine from the inside out.

2008 – 2012

Verified

CREDENTIALS

⛑

OSHA 120-Hour Training

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Comprehensive safety training covering hazard awareness, fall protection, confined spaces, and proper PPE protocols.

⛏

MSHA 80-Hour Training

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Mining environment safety including emergency response, heavy equipment operations, ventilation systems, and hazard identification.

❄️

EPA Section 608 Certification

Environmental Protection Agency

Certified to safely handle and manage refrigerants including proper servicing and leak prevention in HVAC systems.

Career

EXPERIENCE

Dec 2023 — Present

Project Manager · Customer Communication · Technical Operations

Superior Diesel Services — Colorado

Managing end-to-end project operations in a high-stakes environment where priorities shift quickly. Primary point of contact for customers — setting expectations, providing status updates, resolving issues before they escalate.

Aug 2014 — Jan 2022

Founder & CEO · Technical Operations · Customer Experience

Bearded Lady Brand — Denton, TX

Founded and scaled a multi-location barbershop and tattoo studio into a recognized regional brand featured in magazines, television, and film. Managed 18+ staff, built and maintained company websites, integrated API-based booking and payment systems.

Mar 2008 — Aug 2012

Technical Support Specialist · Team Lead · Process Development

Bully Dog — American Falls, ID

Led 8-person engineering team. Built structured troubleshooting processes from scratch. Managed incoming requests, escalations, and resolutions. Delivered year-long project 4 months early and 20% under budget.

Feb 2006 — Feb 2008

Project Manager · Multi-Stakeholder Coordinator

Precision Demolition — Lewisville, TX

Managed $250M commercial demolition project. Coordinated 40-person crew across 4 government agencies. Daily reporting, equipment logistics, waste hauling, crew scheduling. Delivered one month ahead of schedule and under budget.

I show up.I figure it out.I don't quit.