About Me
I'm Brandon Axtmann, a technology leader focused on the intersection ofenterprise strategy, cybersecurity, and platform engineering.
Currently, I serve as the Manager of IT & Cybersecurity at Rentsync, where I lead the teams responsible for keeping our platform secure, scalable, and efficient.
The "Bridge" Role
In modern tech organizations, there is often a gap between the executive boardroom and the engineering trenches. Strategy gets lost in translation, and technical debt accumulates unnoticed.
I exist in that gap.
My career has been defined by a dual focus:
- Strategic Leadership: I've played a key role in 7+ M&A transactions, leading technical due diligence and integration. I translate technical risk into business language and help leadership make informed decisions.
- Hands-On Execution: I don't just manage; I build. Whether it's designing a SOC 2 Type I compliant security program or architecting a cost-efficient observability platform on AWS, I stay deeply involved in the "how."
My Philosophy
"Good security and good engineering go hand in hand. When done correctly, compliance isn’t a blocker — it’s an accelerator for trust and growth."
I believe in "paved roads"—the idea that the secure, compliant, and scalable way of doing things should also be the easiest way. If security adds friction, people will bypass it. If it adds value, they will embrace it.
Technical Roots
While my title says "Manager," my editor is still open. I maintain a strong technical foundation to ensure I can effectively lead engineering teams and make sound architectural decisions.
Lately, I've been exploring the Cloudflare Developer Platform (which powers this site!), Hono, and modern React/Vite ecosystems. Keeping my skills sharp allows me to empathize with the challenges my team faces and provide more meaningful mentorship.
Beyond the Screen
When I'm not auditing cloud infrastructure or merging tech stacks, I'm likely indulging in my love for complex systems in other forms. I'm a huge fan of Lego (specifically the Architecture and building sets) and enjoy strategy games that scratch that same optimization itch—you'll often find me playing Civilization VI, Oxygen Not Included, or Cities: Skylines.