🧡 David Byron Drake

Silicon Valley veteran, former Y Combinator CTO, and startup CEO. Currently DevOps and Engineering Manager at Counterpart — leading high-impact teams and building systems that scale with empathy and precision.

For 18 years, I've been writing about the intersection of ambition, technology, and modern life. My work has reached hundreds of thousands of readers and appeared in Sky News and The Huffington Post. With a background that bridges Theatre and Computer Science, I bring both performance and precision to my work — comfortable on stage, in front of a camera, or deep in a terminal. I thrive at the intersection of leadership, storytelling, and technology.

📙 Author of I Will Not Drink With You Today — a daily reader grounded in Stoic philosophy and practical wisdom. Moving beyond the standard memoir, it offers 366 reflections designed to help anyone navigate the quiet work of sobriety. It serves as a steady companion for those seeking to reclaim their agency and build a meaningful life, one day at a time.

I'm passionate about helping people and teams grow through clarity, compassion, and craft. I'm available for podcasts, panels, interviews, and speaking engagements about leadership, creativity, engineering culture, and mindful living.

My writing lives at randomdrake.medium.com and my earlier work at randomdrake.com.

When I'm not writing or leading engineering teams, I'm an avid home cook who finds stillness in the kitchen. I live in Oregon with my wife and daughter. Lover of good humans, strong coffee, and the outdoors. Lifelong learner. Former actor. Science nerd with a Commodore 64 tattoo.

Speaking & Interviews

Available for podcasts, panels, and keynotes on engineering leadership, building calm systems, creative practice for technologists, intentional work, and sobriety.