Blake B.

Blake Barnes

5.0

(9)

From AI hobbyist to AI builder: Ship working AI in weeks, not months

Texas A&M University - College Station Logo

Studied at Texas A&M University - College Station

Credera Logo

Hiring Manager at Credera

Successful clients at

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Blake's Offerings

Custom hourly · $180/hr

Get help with AI Agents, AI Automation, and .

Blake’s Build with AI Qualifications

Experience level: Director

Blake has helped clients get into these companies:

A few years ago I was a strategist and consultant who reformatted PPT slides and wrote zero code. Today, I ship production AI systems: Multi-tier Agents, Skills, RAG pipelines, MCP servers, automated reporting, and full-stack apps backed by real evaluation frameworks. I taught myself by building, and alongside my work as a consultant, I'm currently building two AI-first products of my own. I've operated on the front lines and helped build product for Fortune 100 companies, with a background spanning product, tech, strategy, operations, analytics, finance, and people leadership. I coach the way I learned: Hands-on, working sessions, real systems shipped. Whether you run a small business, do consulting, or something else entirely, I would love to share what I've learned. If you want to stop using AI like a search engine and start using it like a system, let's chat.

Blake can help with:

AI Agents

AI Automation

AI Fundamentals

AI Research

AI Tools & Integration

Prompt Engineering

Blake also coaches for AI Services, Career Coaching, Life Coaching, and Management Consulting. View all.

About Blake

What I love most about coaching is understanding who someone really is, because who you are is the foundation for where you're going. Not just your resume, but your values, your faith, your wiring, and what makes you come alive. I believe the best career decisions don't happen in a vacuum. They flow from deeply understanding oneself and building a professional life that strengthens your whole life, not just your LinkedIn profile or what brings in money. I come from both sides of the table: Industry operations at Southwest Airlines and enterprise consulting at Credera, so I understand what it actually takes to grow a career. For the past four-plus years, I've coached over 25 young professionals through transitions, promotions, and the harder questions about direction and purpose. I'm direct and honest, but I lead with empathy. I listen more than I talk. No one's story is the same and cookie-cutter advice doesn't really help. If you're early in your career and looking for a coach who cares about the whole picture and not just your next title, I would love to learn more about you.

Why do I coach?

Robert. Anthony. Sheryl. Riley. Grant. Amanda. I could go on, but these are the people who were in my corner, cared, and guided the path for me. They didn't just give me advice. They took the time to know me, believe in me, and challenge me to think bigger about what I was capable of. That's why I coach. I've seen firsthand what happens when someone has the right person at the right time, and I want to be that for others. I believe everyone has a unique combination of gifts, and most people just need someone to help them see it clearly and take the first step with confidence. Watching someone go from stuck and unsure to clear and energized about their path is the most fulfilling work I do. It's not a side project for me. It's something I care deeply about.

Work Experience

Credera Logo

Senior Manager

Credera

January 2024 - Present

Hiring Manager

Credera Logo

Manager

Credera

July 2021 - January 2024

Interviewer

Credera Logo

Senior Consultant

Credera

January 2020 - July 2021

Interviewer

Southwest Airlines Logo

Senior Analyst, Wealth Operations Analyst, Performance Analyst

Southwest Airlines

January 2018 - January 2020

Interviewer

Southwest Airlines Logo

Business & Technology Analyst

Southwest Airlines

September 2017 - January 2018

Southwest Airlines Logo

Business & Technology Analyst

Southwest Airlines

July 2016 - September 2017

Southwest Airlines Logo

Data Analyst Intern

Southwest Airlines

May 2015 - August 2015

Morgan Stanley Logo

Analyst/Associate

Morgan Stanley

2011 - 2013

Blake was also given offers to work at

  • The University of Texas at Austin Logo

    The University of Texas at Austin

  • PNC Logo

    PNC

  • Morgan Stanley Logo

    Morgan Stanley

Education

Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici Logo

Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici

Italian Studies and Culture

2013 - 2014

Florence, Italy

Texas A&M University - College Station Logo

Texas A&M University - College Station

Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Finance, Finance

2012 - 2016

Studied Finance at Texas A&M, recipient of multiple student leader scholarships, highly involved leader on campus. Activities and societies: Maroon Coats (highly selective student ambassador program to A&M's biggest donors) Aggie Muster Committee (Took part in facilitating a multi-thousand person celebration of life event for Aggies who passed away) Fish Aides (Freshman student government leadership organization) BCA (Men's social organization)

9 Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0


Blake has helped clients get into these companies:

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Blake B.

Blake B.

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