# Michael Clerk (@mclerk.net)

Profile: https://sifa.id/p/mclerk.net
Headline: Director @fl.dev & @longbrain.net

## About

Over the past decade, I've built and led businesses across industries, always with a focus on making operations sharper, strategy clearer, and growth more deliberate. Today I run two consultancies: LongBrain, an FMCG consultancy based in Jamaica, and FL DEV, a tech consultancy serving open source projects and software companies. In both, I work directly with clients as a principal consultant while holding full strategic and operational authority over the firm.

My career has been defined by building ownership over complex, multi-disciplinary environments, not just managing within them. My edge isn't a single industry or discipline, it's range. I've operated at the intersection of business and technology my entire career, I bring both lenses to every engagement. 

I follow the open source landscape closely, not only as a developer, but as someone who understands its business implications. I believe in open source, its values and the community around it. I've built FL DEV around helping companies and projects capitalise on that.

I bring the same discipline to FMCG through LongBrain: grounded in data, oriented toward growth, and focused on what actually moves the business forward.

## Career

- **Managing Director at FL DEV** (May 2026 - Present)
  FL DEV is a tech consultancy serving open source projects and software companies, helping them build stronger businesses around the software they make and sell. We focus on the business layer: operations, sales, finance, marketing, and community engagement. We don't write code or run systems; we make everything around them work better.
  
  As founder and Managing Director, I am the sole leader of the firm and its primary consultant, with full authority over every component of the business.
  
  \**Strategy & Governance**
  \- Sole author of company vision, strategy, and long-term direction
  \- Final decision-maker on all business matters, no material action proceeds without my approval
  \- Own and enforce all company policies, standards, and operating rules
  
  \**Consulting**
  \- Primary client-facing consultant, owning engagements end-to-end
  \- Advise open source projects and software companies on business operations, go-to-market strategy, sales, finance, marketing, and community engagement
  \- Conduct market, sales, and financial research to underpin client recommendations
  \- Support both open source and closed source software businesses
  
  \**Brand & Communications**
  \- Full ownership of FL Dev's brand identity across web, print, and digital
  \- Ensure all external communications consistently reflect the firm's standards and positioning
  
  \**Negotiations & Business Development**
  \- Lead all commercial, contractual, and strategic negotiations
  \- Solely evaluate and approve all client engagements and contracts
  
  \**Technology & Infrastructure**
  \- Sole owner of all internal IT systems, tooling, and technology infrastructure
  \- Maintain and evolve the firm's open source software stack
- **Executive Director at LongBrain** (Nov 2025 - Present)
  Hybrid
  LongBrain is an FMCG consultancy built around two senior principals, delivering high-impact strategy, market insight, and operational guidance to clients across the sector.
  
  As co-founder and Executive Director, I am the firm's strategic authority and one of its two primary consultants.
  
  \**Strategy & Governance**
  \- Sole author of company vision and long-term strategy
  \- Final sign-off authority on all major decisions and business matters
  \- Own and enforce all company policies, rules, and operating standards
  
  \**Consulting**
  \- Primary client-facing consultant, owning engagements from discovery through delivery
  \- Conduct market, sales, and financial research to drive client recommendations
  \- Advise FMCG clients on growth strategy, market positioning, and commercial performance
  \- Partner with co-founder on all client and contract decisions
  
  \**Brand & Communications**
  \- Full ownership of LongBrain's brand identity across web, print, and digital
  \- Ensure all external communications reflect the firm's standards and positioning
  
  \**Negotiations & Business Development**
  \- Participate in all major commercial, contractual, and strategic negotiations
  \- Evaluate and approve new client engagements alongside co-founder
  
  \**Technology & Infrastructure**
  \- Sole owner of all IT systems, tooling, and technology infrastructure
- **Administrative & Technical Manager at Rahtid Investment Management** (Mar 2019 - Nov 2025)
  Hybrid
  Co-Owner of a Private Holding company with investments in: Lawn Care, Waste Management, Vending, Last Mile Delivery & Merchandising Services.
  
  \- Oversaw procurement of products and equipment.
  \- Managed and maintained all computers, phones and other electronic devices & infrastructure.
  \- Reviewed sales & activity reports, financial statements, market research and other performance data & productivity measures to identify areas needing improvement, missed opportunities and determine solutions & strategies.
  \- Discovered and developed future products and service offerings.
  \- Directed and coordinated together with co-owner activities of business concerned with the services, pricing, sales and customer service.
  \- Determined together with co-owner investments, approved marketing strategies to promote and develop the company.
  \- Negotiated together with the co-owner contracts with corporate clientele.
- **Executive Assistant at Tyche Enterprises Limited** (Jun 2014 - May 2017)
  On-site
  \- Served as a liaison between managing director and team members for all IT related issues.
  \- Investigated issues and problems and drafted responses to urgent IT requests.
  \- Managed sensitive information with discretion.
  \- Created and maintained computer-based filing and organization systems for records, reports and
  documents.
  \- Served as a point of contact for data acquisition and research.
  \- Reviewed IT network policies and infrastructure to evaluate sub-optimal areas and develop solutions.
  \- Supported IT application development, application support, system integration and system
  administration projects.
  \- Served as operating system expert, providing technical support for entire organization.
  \- Designed, documented and executed IT maintenance procedures, including system upgrades, patch
  management and system backups.
  \- Served as Executive Assistant to the managing director.
- **Technical Assistant at Tyche Enterprises Limited** (Jun 2012 - May 2014)
  Hybrid
  \- Assisted in supporting all of the companies IT infrastructure: Networking, Servers, Laptops, Desktops, & Mobile.
  \- Supported Legacy systems (Windows 2003 Server)
  \- Supported Microsoft Windows, Office

## Skills

### Technical
- Git
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows Administration
### Business
- Project Management
### Creative
- Gimp
- Graphic Design
- Inkscape

## Education

- **University of London** — Banking & Finance (Aug 2014 - Jul 2018)

## Involvement

### Volunteering
- Trinidad and Tobago Powerboat Association (Sep 2008 - Sep 2018)
  Web Administrator & General Volunteer
  \- Designed, Maintained & Administered the Association Website
  \- Assisted in Regatta Preparations
  \- Assisted in Regatta Day Operations
- Trinidad and Tobago Karting Association (Jan 2017 - Jan 2018)
  Competition Secretary
  \- Managed Race Day Operations 
  \- Managed all competition matters (points, marshals, rules, etc)
  \- Managed event setup.
  
  
- Trinidad & Tobago Karting Association (Jan 2016 - Dec 2016)
  Volunteer Marshall
  Performed Various Marshalling roles
- Trinidad and Tobago Karting Association (Jan 2015 - Jan 2016)
  Treasurer
  \- Managed Association Finances
  \- Managed Suppliers and Volunteers
  \- Assisted with Race Day operations
- Christ Church, St. Ann’s, Trinidad and Tobago (Jan 2010 - Dec 2014)
  Lay Minister
  Was an integral part of the Sunday Mass ceremonies (2nd to the Priest): assisted Reverend with all her duties, performed readings, hymns, announcements, and distribution of communion.
- Christ Church, St. Ann’s, Trinidad and Tobago (Jan 2008 - Jan 2010)
  Acolyte
  Assisted in the Sunday Mass ceremonies.

## Languages

- English (native)
- French (elementary)
- Spanish (elementary)

## Links

- Website: https://mclerk.net
- tangled: https://tangled.org/mclerk.net
- github: https://github.com/mclerk