DAN ZENO
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Dependable and hardworking employee with experience in fast-paced kitchens. Dynamic team player with strong attention to detail and good work ethic. Fast learner consistently meets deadlines without sacrificing quality. Retiring veteran seeking simple and predictable part-time work.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Legal Consultant
Texas Prose LLC
The Woodlands, Texas
01.2025 - 01.2026
- Drafted and reviewed contracts, ensuring accuracy and legal integrity to mitigate potential risks.
- Advised clients on legal compliance and risk management strategies, enhancing their operational safeguards.
- Conducted legal research to support client cases and inquiries, providing critical insights for informed decision-making.
Chief Operating Officer + Senior Product Manager
DaChat Inc
New Brunswick, New Jersey
06.2019 - 01.2022
- Courted 100+ investors via Reg A+; fine-tuned pitch decks and presentations; successfully raised $25M via NASDAQ IPO.
- Developed plans to upgrade from encrypted messenger to social network; wire-framed pages and design; fully implemented.
- Authored company white paper to transition from AWS to blockchain; paper led to company pivot to Web3-centric vision/dev.
- Brokered $3M marketing deal with Barstool Sports; collaborated with 17 top influencers to launch targeted ad campaigns and enhance brand visibility.
- Face of exclusive marketing campaign with iHeart Radio; secured ad spots in 27 regions ensuring widespread brand awareness.
- Sourced and interviewed hundreds of candidates to hire software engineers for the tech team.
- Secured exclusive partnership with Rutgers School of Computer Science; integrated faculty mentorship into software dev process.
- Managed company's first security audit; identified 23 potential security threats prior to onboarding new users; preserved integrity.
- Presented keynote speech at a blockchain conference in Miami, showcasing innovative technology. at decentralized blockchain conference in Miami; demo'd brand new tech to thousands of attendees + partners.
- Developed internship program for Rutgers Comp Sci students; mentored 13 interns who contributed significantly to QA program development.
- Oversaw multiple database upgrades and iterations; designed specs, organized developers, and successfully scaled infrastructure.
- Led product development of DatChat Social Network+; project managed and synced iOS, Android, blockchain and PHP team.
- Product-managed development of DatChat Messenger; fine-tuned patented screenshot protection technology; keystone feature.
- NASDAQ: DATS - Joined team in startup phase with four members - scaled thru IPO.
Restaurant Owner
Seed Burger LLC
New Brunswick, New Jersey
05.2018 - 11.2020
- Founded and operated a fast-casual, plant-based restaurant serving a high-volume college and local community market
- Managed end-to-end restaurant operations, including kitchen workflow, food preparation, inventory, and daily opening/closing procedures
- Oversaw kitchen management, including setup, prep schedules, equipment use, and adherence to safe food-handling practices
- Ensured compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations, maintaining a clean, inspection-ready kitchen environment
- Coordinated staffing and trained employees on hygiene, kitchen safety, and operational standards.
- Managed vendor relationships, ordering, and inventory control to reduce waste and optimize cost-efficiency
- Performed and supervised dishwashing, sanitation, and deep-cleaning to meet local health department and food-safety standards
- Handled facility maintenance: equipment troubleshooting, minor repairs, cleaning systems, waste management, and supply restocking
- Closed operations in compliance with local pandemic mandates
Product Manager
Prudential Financial
Newark, New Jersey
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Coordinated with business units to organize data, drive process improvements, and implement automation technology for PGIM finance planning and analysis team.
- Led team of 12 engineers thru dev of in-house actuary application; app accepted/implemented, saving estimated $12M annually.
- Coordinated upgrade of PGIM database to enhance data management processes, consolidating stakeholder requirements and reducing quarterly forecast time from 40 to 10 days.
- Introduced excel macro training and collaborated with new hires to automate mundane tasks, improving team efficiency by approximately 30%.
- Project managed upgrade from legacy email system; devised transition for 30K employees; smooth hand-off/zero downtime.
- Spearheaded company-wide audit; led rewrite of major policy to conform with gov compliance; completed three months ahead.
- Led the Diversity Equity & Inclusion conference by planning a three-day seminar and serving as the keynote speaker.
Air Force Captain (O-3)
35th Maintenance Squadron
Misawa Airbase, Japan
12.2013 - 01.2018
- Pacific Command Jet Engine Centralized Repair Facility (CRF) Superintendent - Supervised F110-GE-129 CRF, supporting three fighter jet bases across Japan and Korea and directing 84 engine mechanics and logistics personnel through the repair and sustainment of 159 engines.
- Powered deployment to Korea, mobilizing over 300 maintainers and 24 jets within 48 hours, launching 233 sorties in five days.
- Directed maintenance, built flying schedules, and managed supply chain for 21 jets; best aircraft availability rate in twelve years.
- Reengineered CRF operations, advocated for $335K in shop upgrades, and led lean process improvements, recouping 21K work hours annually.
- Deployed and led 70 maintainers and eight jets on a 25-day, joint aerial exercise with the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
- Coordinated fuels specialists and electricians for eleven F-16 fighter jet wing changes, achieving $8.25M in depot cost savings.
- Resolved parts deficit; refurbished $12M in unused parts and optimized supply chain.
- Helmed overhaul and test of 51 engines shipped across Pacific - eight times named CGO of the Quarter 1/13. CGO of Year 2X.
Education
MBA - Business Analytics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management
Cambridge, Massachusetts 08.2018 - 01.2025
Masters of Arts - Communication (Organizational Communication)
Texas State University
San Marcos, TexasBachelors of Arts - Communication, Minor in Theatre Arts
Texas State University
San Marcos, TexasSkills
- Operations Management
- Advocacy
- Policy Development
- Project Management
- Int'l Relations
- Process Engineering
- Tech Leadership
- Training/Development
- Organizational Design
- Production Management
- Team Building
- Public Speaking
- Diligence
- Restaurant Management
Extracurricular Activities
Books/Podcasts Travel Mud Runs Food/Restaurant Karaoke Latin Dancing Politics Motivational Speaking
Volunteer And Community
- Asked to speak Texas State Comm Week 2018; mentored 250+ students on leadership/management thru uncertainty., 03/01/18
- Advertised Hiring our Heroes event to over 5K military members; set up info session to educate on military transition., 10/01/17
- Organized Joint Civilian Orientation Course; networked with 40 CEOs and civilian leaders; advocated veteran hiring., 08/01/17
- Coordinated United Kingdom Royal Air Force visit to unit; planned unit tour and inspired future bilateral cooperation., 08/01/16
- Trained Civil Air Patrol and ROTC cadets; set up nine events on base and mentored future military leaders., 02/01/16 - 07/31/17
- Handpicked to MC Wing 50th Anniversary Air Force Ball; entertained 700 attendees and honored Air Force traditions., 09/01/15
- Entered 'Misawa Stars' base and community singing competition w/minimal vocal talent; advanced four rounds to finals due to crowd engagement and sweet dance moves/voted crowd favorite; provided entertainment to 4K airmen/families., 03/01/15 - 05/31/15
- Delivered approximately 125 meals as part of the Meals on Wheels program; helped provide food to 61 families., 03/01/14 - 05/31/14
- As Misawa Air Base Project Lead, planned twelve African American History Month events, attended by 1800 people., 02/01/14
- Selected as liaison between American and Japanese CGOs; organized fourteen social and networking events geared at bolstering strategic partnerships between the United States Air Force and Japanese Self Defense Force junior officers., 01/01/14 - 12/31/15
Military Training
- Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, 02/01/14 - 07/31/14
- USAID Joint Humanitarian Ops Course, 06/01/16
- Military Resiliency Trainer Course, 10/01/14
- Contingency Response Mission Planner Course, 10/01/16
- F-16 Fighter Jet Systems and Design Course, 09/01/15
- Survival & Evasive Conduct after Capture Course, 02/01/17
- Contingency Response Deployment Prep, 03/01/16
- Six Sigma - Green Belt Training, 03/01/17
Timeline
Legal Consultant
Texas Prose LLC
01.2025 - 01.2026
Chief Operating Officer + Senior Product Manager
DaChat Inc
06.2019 - 01.2022
MBA - Business Analytics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management
08.2018 - 01.2025
Restaurant Owner
Seed Burger LLC
05.2018 - 11.2020
Product Manager
Prudential Financial
01.2018 - 01.2019
Air Force Captain (O-3)
35th Maintenance Squadron
12.2013 - 01.2018
Masters of Arts - Communication (Organizational Communication)
Texas State University
Bachelors of Arts - Communication, Minor in Theatre Arts
Texas State University