04 · About
33 years on the web, uninterrupted, from Austin
I started before HTML was a standard, when fewer than 20,000 websites existed and most people had never sent an email. I have not stopped since. Every discipline of the digital web has come through my hands: the early commercial internet, streaming infrastructure, Fortune 5 and federal-grade platforms, accessibility, and now production AI. All of it from Austin, since before the city was a technology hub. I have founded and led companies and the teams inside them, and delivered enterprise outcomes for buyers who could not afford failure. Today I architect and lead production AI systems for organizations that need senior engineering they can trust, as a fractional architect or on a defined build, and in the right full-time role. What follows is the track record behind the AI work.
Career timeline
2025 – Present · Austin, TX
Trinzik ↗
Co-Founder & Technical Architect
- Austin AI startup run by Bob's brother, John Michaels. Bob built all of its underlying technology and is the technical brain behind its integrated AI platforms and systems.
- Architected the AI-native infrastructure: agent platforms, multi-vendor LLM orchestration, and machine-readable A2A endpoints for autonomous AI-to-AI business transactions.
- Designed enterprise AI architecture serving technology, enterprise, government, higher-education, and Fortune 5 clients.
2021 – Present · Austin, TX
ContentAccess
Co-Founder (Limited Advisory Role)
- Digital accessibility leadership: web accessibility compliance and inclusive technology solutions.
- WCAG 2.0 AA and Section 508 compliance expertise for enterprise and government organizations.
2010 – 2022 · Austin, TX
Cascade Factory
Managing Partner & Enterprise Web Development Leader
- Enterprise websites for Texas A&M, University of Texas, Emory University, and the University of California system.
- Comprehensive web development with accessibility leadership and enterprise-level technical architecture.
- Client relationships spanning higher education institutions and Fortune 5 technology corporations.
2011 – 2022 · Austin, TX
Texas General Land Office
Senior Developer & Web Accessibility Officer
- Built all public-facing .gov websites including glo.texas.gov, recovery.texas.gov, vlb.texas.gov, and cleancoast.texas.gov.
- First-ever CDBG DR/MIT federal disaster recovery website in partnership with HUD, Best Known Practices shared with HUD as a development model.
- Ensured Section 508 and ADA compliance across all state government digital properties.
2003 – 2010 · Austin, TX
RLM Creative Technology Consulting
Owner, Advanced Web Development Solutions
- Advanced web development solutions for enterprise clients and technology innovation projects.
- Custom web applications and technology consulting across multiple industries.
1998 – 2003 · Austin, TX
Galactic Group Inc.
Founder & Managing Partner, Streaming Media Pioneer
- FIRST live music internet stream from Austin at Steamboat nightclub on 6th Street.
- Partnership with Mark Cuban's Broadcast.com, 100+ live shows including Willie Nelson, Barenaked Ladies, Lee Greenwood, and Dickie Betts.
- Raised $600K+ in investment capital for streaming media innovation.
- Willie Nelson Grammy-nominated instrumental album via Freefalls Entertainment partnership.
1994 – 1998 · Austin, TX
AzTech Interactive
Founder & CEO, Early Web Development Pioneer
- Building websites before HTML 1.0 standardization (started 1992).
- Early adoption of Director 3.0, HTML, and ActionScript during the foundational years of the commercial internet.
1988 – 1996 · Texas Regional
Slippery Fish (Band)
Lead Guitarist & Band Manager
- Nearly a decade of regional touring throughout Texas with original funk, rock, and pop music.
- Self-managed live sound engineering while performing, the foundation for later streaming media and live production expertise.
- Self-taught guitar starting at age 12 with a $25 instrument bought with lawn-mowing earnings.
Technical skills
AI & Innovation
Custom AI solutions, AI agent architecture, Agent Domain Interface (ADI), AI-native web transformation, Google A2A protocol, agents.json ecosystem
Streaming & Media
Live streaming pioneer, multi-camera production, live sound engineering, digital media production, Broadcast.com integration
Web Development
Expert HTML/CSS, systems architecture, enterprise web development, content management, accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.0 AA, Section 508, ADA)
Enterprise Systems
Government solutions, university systems, Fortune 5 enterprise architecture, federal partnership development, HUD collaboration
Patent & Security
U.S. Patent 7,373,346, security management systems, networked software systems, internet-accessible databases
Early Web Pioneer
Pre-HTML 1.0 development, Director 3.0, ActionScript, 33 years of web advancement knowledge
Client portfolio & collaborations
- Technology Giants
- Dell Computer (Worldwide Trade Compliance Profiling System), Compaq Computer, Tivoli Systems, Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Higher Education
- Texas A&M, University of Texas, Emory University, University of California system, Berkeley College, California State University, Northwestern University in Qatar, and 40+ others
- Music Industry
- Willie Nelson (Grammy-nominated album), Barenaked Ladies, Lee Greenwood, Dickie Betts / Allman Brothers Band, Nikki Cleary (Jive Records)
- Government
- Texas General Land Office, HUD partnership, Best Known Practices (BKPs), federal disaster recovery systems
- Partnerships
- Mark Cuban's Broadcast.com, Freefalls Entertainment, major recording artist collaborations
Education
B.A. in Radio-Television-Film (RTF)
University of Texas at Austin
Audio production and sound engineering specialization
Early achievements
- Eagle Scout at age 14
- TAG Program participant (Talented and Gifted)
- High school football letterman (Grapevine High School, 1986)
- U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine License, sailing instruction and charter operations
- Blue Belt in Kenpo Karate
Family legacy
- Mother: Elementary school teacher for 45 years, taught Bob how to teach and achieve goals
- Father: Expert insurance agent and accomplished yachtsman, owned a sailing school and charter business on Lake Grapevine
- Grandfather: WWII hero and world record holder, oldest private pilot license recipient at age 72
- Great-grandfather: German immigrant and Wells Fargo stagecoach driver
- Brother: John Michaels, current business partner at Trinzik