Laz Mako

CTO

Christchurch, New Zealand24 yrs 4 mos experience
AI ML PractitionerAI Enabled

Key Highlights

  • Over 25 years of experience in technology leadership.
  • Expertise in building scalable AI-driven solutions.
  • Proven track record in team development and operational excellence.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a SaaS and AI solutions architect with extensive experience in enterprise-level technology.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Data & Ai Platform EngineeringTeam DevelopmentArtificial Intelligence (ai)Machine LearningAmazon Web Services (aws)Healthcare Information Technology (hit)Software As A Service (saas)

Other Skills

Systems EngineeringGenerative AIAWS SageMakerAmazon BedrockAWS servicesCustomer satisfactionOpensearchElasticsearchAppflowKendraAmazon QKinesisPostgreSQLC#Ruby

About

Seasoned technology leader and hands-on engineer with 25+ years of experience across startups and large enterprises. I focus on building systems and teams that work well in practice, not just in theory. I ask hard questions to surface risks early and avoid surprises later. I take pride in the quality of my work and in leaving things better than I found them. I care about reliability, clarity, and long-term outcomes. I genuinely enjoy helping others do their best work. I earn trust through technical depth, breadth and a willingness to step in when it matters. My background spans technical consultancy, team leadership, product development, and cloud-native architectures, with a strong focus on AWS, AI/ML platforms, streaming systems, and geospatial solutions.

Experience

24 yrs 4 mos
Total Experience
3 yrs 5 mos
Average Tenure
4 mos
Current Experience

One new zealand

Data & AI Platform Engineering Lead

Jan 2026Present · 4 mos · New Zealand · Hybrid

  • I lead One NZ’s Data & AI Platform Engineering, defining platform strategy and developing a high-performing team. By treating our platform as a product, we enable teams across the business to do their best work. My focus is on delivering scalable, reliable, and innovative solutions that create real value for One NZ customers nationwide, supporting the ambition to become the world’s most AI-driven telco.
Data & AI Platform EngineeringTeam DevelopmentSystems Engineering

Amazon web services (aws)

2 roles

Cloud Engineer II - Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Promoted

Aug 2024Jan 2026 · 1 yr 5 mos · New Zealand · Remote

  • I helped customers develop innovative AI solutions and custom machine learning models using SageMaker, Bedrock, and other AI integrated AWS services. I contributed to cutting edge solutions for the world’s largest enterprises, operating at the absolute forefront of technological innovation. By providing subject matter expertise, applying operational best practices, managing cost, and effectively integrating AWS services, I helped customers drive efficiency, enhance decision making, and gain a competitive edge in their respective industries.
  • Within AWS, I led strategic AI initiatives that enhanced our service capabilities and the overall customer satisfaction. I’ve identified critical security vulnerabilities in key services, advocated for customer-centric improvements, and developed innovative AI-driven solutions that expanded our international language support capabilities, and saved over 30,000 engineer hours a year globally. My technical expertise also improved error handling and documentation across multiple services, while my training programs elevated the skills of over 300 engineers globally. My mentoring efforts consistently produced top performer engineers. These contributions earned recognition from senior leadership for technical excellence, customer obsession and upholding the highest standards, positioning me as a true driver of operational excellence.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)Artificial Intelligence (AI)Machine LearningGenerative AIAWS SageMakerAmazon Bedrock

Cloud Engineer II - Streaming Services and Data Analytics

Jan 2023Jul 2024 · 1 yr 6 mos · New Zealand · Remote

  • I was responsible for enabling customers to successfully adopt and integrate with AWS Data Streaming and Big Data Analytics Services. The main purpose of my team was to provide AWS enterprise customers with the right mix of tools and access to subject matter expertise. We also focused on optimising performance, improving security, managing risk and keeping costs under control within AWS.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)OpensearchElasticsearchAppflowKendraAmazon Q+1

Streamliners

Tech Support Lead

May 2019Dec 2022 · 3 yrs 7 mos · Canterbury & West Coast, New Zealand

  • As a direct report to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), I managed our team of Tech Support Specialists and IT Contractors. My teams covered desktop and server support, software releases, database administration, infrastructure, networking and security. I helped create effective processes for the wider Information Services Team and contributed to our support, product and system architecture roadmap. I actively participated in my team's daily work, designed and implemented complex system-wide improvements and assisted my team members with developing new technical skills via mechanisms such as peer review, training and mentoring. The systems and solutions that my team was responsible for were used by GPs, nurses, and other health professionals at the point of care across 60 health systems who care for 35 million patients around Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)Healthcare Information Technology (HIT)

Verizon connect

3 roles

​​Senior Level 3 Support Engineer​ & Developer Consultant

Jul 2016May 2019 · 2 yrs 10 mos · Canterbury & West Coast, New Zealand

  • Process improvements and automation within my consultancy role enabled me to contribute across multiple initiatives in parallel. Having worked on every major Verizon Connect product at the time, I provided development consultancy across all applications, spanning software and hardware, scripting, custom reporting, monitoring, and database administration. In addition to supporting GeoBase customers, I contributed to special projects for key enterprise clients including TruGreen, Coca-Cola, GM, and Ford. I was also involved in major internal initiatives such as the Verizon–Telogis messaging platform integration following the acquisition. I developed internal reports and data analysis solutions that later became core components of multi-million-dollar projects. Alongside delivery, I reviewed production SQL, led resolution of the most complex technical issues, and regularly trained and mentored new team members and transitioning colleagues.
PostgreSQLC#RubySoftware as a Service (SaaS)GeospatialGeospatial Information Systems

GeoBase Developer Consultant

Promoted

Dec 2015Jul 2016 · 7 mos · Canterbury & West Coast, New Zealand

  • In this role, I delivered development consultancy to GeoBase Geospatial SDK customers, working closely with client lead developers to design and implement effective geospatial solutions. The position required deep understanding of diverse customer use cases and geospatial technologies, combining hands-on development with technical brainstorming and architectural guidance. My focus was on ensuring successful implementations and maximising customer adoption of the SDK’s capabilities. Over time, the role also provided exposure to product management responsibilities and cross-functional collaboration.

Level 3 Technical Support Engineer

May 2012Dec 2015 · 3 yrs 7 mos · Canterbury & West Coast, New Zealand

  • I was responsible for multiple Telogis applications used globally by leading organisations including AT&T, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, General Motors, Ford, Hino, Volvo, Mack, and Isuzu. The role required deep technical expertise across both hardware and software, along with hands-on experience in SQL, analytics, and custom reporting. Strong negotiation skills and a solid understanding of technical support best practices were essential to delivering reliable, enterprise-grade solutions.

Falex natural (creatoys ltd.)

General Manager

Dec 2009Jun 2012 · 2 yrs 6 mos · Budapest, Hungary

  • I established this eco-friendly wooden toy factory in 2009 and built it from the ground up. Within two years, the business partnered with all major Hungarian toy retail chains, with our products stocked in nearly every large supermarket nationwide. In 2011, the company won the Gold Medal at Junior Expo for product innovation and service excellence. That same year, I was awarded “Young Businessman of the Year” by the Hungarian Ministry of Economy.

Trendvision ltd

Export Manager

Nov 2007Dec 2009 · 2 yrs 1 mo

  • This was the first company of my own and a new, exciting position. Based on our contract our job was to build up the export branch of a market leading Hungarian footwear company from scratch. In only two years we have added 20% to the company's revenue. At the end of our contract, we've handed over a well working new branch with a great customer base, established customer trust and refined operational processes.

Microsoft

2 roles

Technical Support Team Lead

Jan 2005Jan 2007 · 2 yrs · Budapest, Hungary

  • I was responsible for coordinating the work of the Technical Support Team, handling customer complaints, training colleagues, managing their official training courses, continuous checking and evaluating of customer satisfaction index and keeping contact between our Management and my team.

Technical Support Engineer

Jan 2003Jan 2005 · 2 yrs · Budapest, Hungary

  • I provided end-users with technical support services for all Microsoft desktop applications, Network troubleshooting, printing problems and Internet Issues.

Citibank

Various Roles

Jan 2001Jan 2003 · 2 yrs · Budapest, Hungary

  • Automation of card transactions, bookings, and bank transfers.

Education

UMSZKI - Specialized School of Technology

Digital Hardware Engineering

Jan 1998Jan 2000

Vörösmarty Mihály High School

Literature — Drama and Film Aesthetics

Jan 1994Jan 1998

Microsoft

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) – ISA Server 2004

Jan 2007Present

Microsoft

Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)

Jan 2005Present

Microsoft

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) – Windows XP

Jan 2005Present

Microsoft

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) – Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications

Jan 2005Present

Microsoft

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) – Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Windows XP

Jan 2005Present

Microsoft

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) – Windows 2000

Jan 2003Present

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