Building things since day one.
I have spent my entire life building things. Computers with my
dad. LEGO cities on the floor. K NEX structures that went way
beyond the instruction booklet. That curiosity for how things
work never left me. It just took time for life to give me the
space to return to it.
I was born in England and raised in Los Angeles. My dad served in
the Air Force and my mom built a long career in government. From
them I learned commitment, discipline, and what it means to show
up for people. Those examples shaped the way I approach every
challenge. Understand the system, solve the problem, and take care
of the people involved.
Leadership, operations, and real responsibility.
I started out studying Computer Science at Morehouse, but real
life came quickly. I left school early to provide for my family,
moved to Las Vegas, launched a mobile bartending business, and
eventually became Director of Operations at Chick fil A.
What I enjoyed most was not the restaurant industry itself. It was
the systems, the structure, and the process driven problem solving
that kept everything running under pressure. That realization
pulled me back toward technology and security.
Returning to technology and security.
In 2023 I earned a cybersecurity scholarship through Black Girls
Hack, completed their hands on cybersecurity bootcamp, and
finished at the top of my cohort. Soon after, I joined HSOC Cyber,
a paid skills first fellowship focused on real job skills in
security operations and security engineering.
Today I serve as a Team Lead, helping other fellows build the same
practical skills I fought to earn. Since then I have earned my
Security plus, built a growing portfolio of defensive security
labs, and launched AaronJohnson.tech as my brand and consulting
foundation.
I describe myself as a cybersecurity professional and AI
practitioner. The AI side of my work is a natural extension of the
builder mindset I have had since childhood. I enjoy designing
labs, experimenting with tools, and turning complex ideas into
something practical and useful.
Today and what comes next.
This January I begin my Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and
Information Assurance at WGU, with the goal of completing the
degree in six months while I continue to grow in both
cybersecurity and AI.
I am not new to hard work. I am finally in the field I was always
meant for.
If you are a small business, recruiter, or leader looking for
someone who combines technical skill, leadership experience,
resilience, and a builder mindset, I would be happy to connect.
