Joe Heath

About

Joe Heath

Network engineer · full-stack developer · founder of Lawn Dart! Systems

Hi! First off, thank you for taking the time to visit. I'm Joe Heath, an IT professional specializing in networking, automation, and full-stack development. I've been hooked on technology since I was a kid reading MS-DOS manuals and writing GW-BASIC programs for fun. That curiosity about how systems work has driven my entire career. After high school in 2000, I enlisted in the Army to turn my love for IT into professional expertise, and I've been building on that foundation ever since.

I've recently shifted my focus toward web development and AI/ML engineering — it's exciting, and as a lifelong geek it feels like what I imagined as a 10-year-old writing my first programs. My mission is to bring cutting-edge solutions to clients who might not otherwise have access to them: small and medium-sized businesses, self-employed individuals, and non-profits.

My journey started with automation scripts that made me faster. Those tools became essential, sparking a deeper curiosity about web and AI development. I've since worked hands-on with OpenAI, Google Vertex AI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, and Ollama, integrating them into practical business solutions.

Skills & expertise

From the wire to the web app

Development

React / Next.jsTypeScriptNode.jsPythonTailwind CSSFirebasePostgreSQLStripeREST APIs

AI & cloud

Anthropic ClaudeOpenAIVertex AIMCP / agentsRAGAWSGCPDockerCI/CD

Networking & security

Network engineeringNetwork securityWireless (Mist / Aruba)Automation & IaCSD-WAN / NACSystem architectureTechnical writingTeam leadership

Experience

Where I've built

Select a role for the full detail.

Lawn Dart! Systems, LLC logo

Founder & Principal Engineer

Lawn Dart! Systems, LLC
2024 - Present
H-E-B logo

Network Engineering Manager

H-E-B
Aug 2023 - Present
Amazon logo

Regional IT Manager, South Texas & New Mexico

Amazon
Feb 2021 - Aug 2023
Amazon logo

IT Manager

Amazon
Jan 2018 - Feb 2021
Harland Clarke Corporation logo

Manager, Network Engineering

Harland Clarke Corporation
Jan 2015 - Dec 2017
Defense Health Agency (DHA) logo

Network Operations Manager

Defense Health Agency (DHA)
Sep 2011 - Dec 2014
US Army Medical Information Technology Center (USAMITC) logo

Senior Network Deployment Engineer

US Army Medical Information Technology Center (USAMITC)
Mar 2010 - Sep 2011
United States Army logo

Information Systems Specialist, Sergeant First Class (E-7), Airborne

United States Army
Nov 2000 - Mar 2010

Credentials

Credentials

Experience at a glance

  • 20+ years across network engineering and IT
  • 15+ years leading technical teams
  • 10+ years in security, automation, and scripting
  • U.S. Army — Sergeant First Class (E-7), Airborne; honorably retired

Certifications

Cisco CCNACompTIA Security+SANS GIAC GSLCSANS GIAC GISP

100% service-connected disabled veteran · veteran-owned business (SDVOSB-eligible)

Education

Foundations

B.S. in Business Administration

Concentration in IT Management

University of the Incarnate Word · 2014

U.S. Army — Information Systems & Networks

Information Systems Specialist (25B) & Network Switching Systems (25F); Airborne School

United States Army · 2000 – 2010

Thanks for scrolling. From the wire to the web app — always happy to connect and trade notes.