Fred Lackey | Software Architect, Engineer & Leader

Featured

Transforming Complex Challenges Into Elegant Solutions

A passionate software veteran with equal comfort writing code or collaborating with C-level executives. From pioneering work on Backup Exec and early contributions to Amazon.com, to developing critical systems for Homeland Security, reshaping engineering teams at Travelers Insurance, and building software solutions that have shaped industries for four decades.

Fredrick Lackey • 40 Years in Software • Read More →

Fredrick “Fred” Lackey

Software Architect, Engineer & Leader

Secure AI Integration AI Implementation Strategy Technical Leadership Architecture Full-Stack Development Legacy Modernization Product Innovation Executive Leadership Secure AI Integration AI Implementation Strategy Technical Leadership Architecture Full-Stack Development Legacy Modernization Product Innovation Executive Leadership

Latest Articles

Opinion & Insight

Opinion

AI Doesn’t Replace Developers — It Replaces Bad Developers

A candid look at the real impact AI has on the software industry, and why the best developers have nothing to fear.

July 15, 2025 • 8 min read

Opinion

Stop Getting Screwed by Microsoft — Why Spring Boot Is Your Way Out

An argument for breaking free from vendor lock-in, with a practical roadmap to modern, open-source alternatives.

July 30, 2025 • 12 min read

AI Project

AI Knowledge Builder Platform

Transforms deep domain expertise into structured, searchable knowledge using GPT-4, Claude, and custom models.

Ongoing • AI / Knowledge Management

Career Highlights

1994 – Present

2022 – 2025

Director of Software Engineering, Travelers Insurance

Reshaped and led the engineering team at one of America’s largest property casualty insurers, driving modernization and raising the bar on development practices.

2021 – Present

Architect & Technical Lead, CISA / DHS

Created CVLE (Common Vulnerability and Lifecycle Engine) for the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, strengthening national cyber defense capabilities.

2006 – 2018

Managing Partner & Lead Architect, Spotless Software

Co-founded and helped lead a software incubator, serving as the lead architect and visionary for 50+ development teams across diverse industries.

1994 – 1996

Founding Developer, Arcada Software

Part of the founding team that created Backup Exec, a backup and recovery solution still in widespread use today.

“Equal comfort writing code or collaborating with C-level executives — that duality is what transforms complex challenges into elegant solutions.”

Fredrick Lackey — 40 Years of Software Excellence

Explore More

Projects & Life

Project

AI-Powered Career Coach

Helps professionals reconstruct and articulate career achievements through intelligent conversation and structured analysis.

AI • Career Development

Expertise

Legacy Modernization

Decades of experience transforming outdated systems into modern, maintainable architectures without disrupting operations.

Architecture • Strategy

Life

Beyond the Keyboard

From 10,000+ skydives to martial arts since age 5, motorcycling, woodworking, DJing, and a passion for horology.

Explore →