I Went From Hacking Dial-Up at 14 to Defending Millions From Cyber Attacks
What started as a teenage obsession with breaking systems turned into a lifelong mission to protect people from them. I’ve built and rebuilt companies, faced failure head-on, and created one of the world’s most advanced breach defense platforms.
This isn’t just a tech journey, it’s a fight to give power back to the people in a world where cyber threats never sleep.
I Hacked the Internet at 14… and It Changed Everything
I still remember the moment I figured out how to bypass our family’s dial-up internet restrictions. I was just a kid, self-taught and hungry to break the system, not to cause chaos, but to understand it. I wrote a program that gave me unlimited access. That small act of rebellion wasn’t just about getting online, it sparked something deep.
By the time I hit college at BYU, I had transformed from hacker to defender, protecting university networks from the same kinds of attacks I used to explore. That shift, seeing the other side, set the course for my life. I wasn’t just passionate about technology. I was obsessed with protecting people from digital threats.
Building a 400-Person Cyber Empire in 14 Months
In 2008, I launched my first major venture, Lancera. It started with grit, hustle, and a deep belief in the future of cybersecurity. Lancera quickly gained momentum, but I wasn’t done. In 2014, I spun off a consumer-focused company called Box Support, which exploded with 400+ employees in under 14 months.
Insane growth, national recognition, and three separate companies landing on the Inc. 500/5000 list five times, these weren’t just wins, they were validation that I could build at scale. I was honored by Utah Business as a “Forty Under 40” leader and our startup was labeled one to watch. I’d found a formula for growth, but success came with a warning: scale fast, but never lose sight of your foundation.
When the Market Shifted, I Refocused and Rebuilt Smarter
Like any fast-scaling entrepreneur, I faced some growing pains. Industry changes and shifts in platform policies impacted our momentum, and I had to make tough decisions. But instead of seeing it as a setback, I saw it as a reset. It gave me space to reevaluate, double down on what mattered most, and sharpen my mission. I realized the future of cybersecurity had to be smarter, more accessible, and proactive — and that realization is what led to the creation of HEROIC.
Democratizing Cybersecurity
the birth of heroic
I founded HEROIC with one goal, to protect everyone, not just Fortune 500 companies, from the rising tide of cyber attacks. I launched it on July 4th, Independence Day, as a declaration of freedom from digital threats. HEROIC became more than a company, it became a cause. We built a platform powered by AI, fueled by massive threat intelligence, and laser-focused on protecting what matters most.
Our flagship product, EPIC, was born from a need I couldn’t ignore, stopping stolen credentials before they destroy businesses. I knew that if we could solve the password breach problem, we could stop 86% of attacks at the source. EPIC scans the dark web 24/7, catches leaked credentials in real time, and gives companies a chance to act before it’s too late. This isn’t theory, it’s active defense.
A Visionary on a Mission
Before the business. Before the platforms. Before the stages—
I’m a husband. A father of six. A protector.
Family isn’t a side note in my story.
It’s the foundation of everything I build, lead, and defend.
Because the work I do in cybersecurity, in business, in leadership—
isn’t about abstract threats or faceless companies.
It’s about real people. Real futures. Real protection.
So when I talk about defending what matters, I mean it.
Because I live it. Every single day.
The Journey Continues
Where We’re Headed
Today, I lead a team of builders, engineers, and security pros who are just as obsessed with protection as I am. We’re constantly evolving, staying ahead of AI-driven threats, credential theft, and whatever comes next.
Whether you’re a growing business, an enterprise CISO, or a startup founder looking to secure your future, HEROIC was built for you. Let’s stop breaches before they start and help you become the hero of your own story.
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