BS CSC 2004

A 2004 graduate of the department of computer science, Brian is a 3 time INC 5000 CEO and highly successful innovator and entrepreneur.

Throughout his academic and professional life, Brian has had an undeniable desire for progress and growth. He began as a student at NC State where he was recognized for his academic success as a John T. Caldwell Fellow. Graduating early, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and a minor in Economics.

Founding O3 Creative in 2007, now known as Walk West, Brian remains active in the company leading their talented user experience and technology teams with a mission to deliver excellent work in a smart, meaningful way. Brian empowers his team to do things differently, and encourages out of the box thinking. He believes this is the space where ideas are free to be challenged, unleashing true innovation for his clients. Brian also serves on the company’s Board of Directors.

In addition to his role at Walk West, Brian is also the Founder and CEO of Proposa, a world-class service that provides an intuitive interface for professionals to create stunning proposals while reducing the time needed to author and send. The platform packs deep analytical insights into prospect behavior that translates to meaningful change.

As a John T. Caldwell Fellow at North Carolina State University (and subsequent Vice President of the Caldwell Fellows Alumni Society), Brian embodies the program’s tenets to learn, grow and serve others. His multiple industry awards from AVA, Marcom, and Hermes Associations, as well as the 2017 Triangle Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” Award, exemplify how he has valued and applied those same servant-leader traits throughout his career. His time spent on the board of the Greater Raleigh Retail Merchants Association (Shop Local Raleigh) has provided insights into how to co-partner with local organizations furthering the goals and missions of entrepreneurs in his own backyard.

Previously, this community-minded entrepreneur ran an open submission “Project 365” to donate a complete digital package to a local non-profit. The prize was awarded to a breast cancer support group for survivors and their families who silently bear the pain of the diagnosis. Brian played a vital role in designing and delivering the package to the winner- something that still moves him to this day. He works with many non-profits because he genuinely believes that by lifting these local clients, the local economy is lifted as well.

His ambition, ingenuity, compassion, and humility encourages a spirit of excellence across the entire organization which inspires this small company to reach big goals under his leadership while being conscious of the responsibility to give back to the community in which he lives and works.

Brian is a product of rural Eastern North Carolina and of its public schools. While born to a family without resources and to blue collar parents who did not complete high school, his drive to succeed and innovate started early in life. From entering into summer and after school jobs at the age of 12 to pay for basic needs, he learned the result of hard work and dedication. He began developing software in high school and took that curiosity to his collegiate career. He attributes much of his professional success to the launchpad that NC State University, and specifically, the Department of Computer Science gave him.