FAQ
Questions about working with me
Short answers. If yours is missing, email rick@datasaa.com.
I keep this list honest. Where a fact needs my decision, the unanswered item stays visible.
Leadership and AI
Who do you work with?
Startup founders and CEOs first, on product and engineering leadership that leans into AI. Then existing teams that need AI enablement, and companies with an open leadership seat.
What do people mean by AI-native transformation, and what part of that do you do?
Building with AI, scaling with it, and getting a company's people and workflows AI-native. I lead that from the product and engineering seats, and I run AI enablement for the team you already have.
How do you use AI on our work?
AI does drafting and synthesis. A person signs off on anything that goes out.
Are you a fractional CTO?
No. I do not claim the CTO title. The closest seat I cover is Head / VP of Product Engineering.
AI enablement
Is AI enablement a standalone service?
Yes. AI enablement for the team you already have needs no open seat. If you are hiring a Head of AI or AI enablement lead, I can also cover that seat while you search.
Covering a seat
Do we have to stop our search?
No. You keep searching. I cover the seat in the meantime.
Is this a full-time hire?
No. It's coverage while you hire. [[RICK: capacity statement]]
Which seats do you cover?
Technical Program Manager, Head / VP of Product Engineering, Engineering Manager, Product Manager / Head of Product, AI lead, and technical operations architect.
Is coverage month-to-month?
Yes. Coverage runs month-to-month while you search.
Is the sample delivery timeline the same as covering a TPM?
No. The sample timeline is a one-time look at your build. Covering the TPM seat is ongoing ownership while you hire.
Getting started
How do we start?
Email rick@datasaa.com with what you're building or the seat that's open, the initiative behind it, and your date.
What does it cost?
We work it out in the first conversation, scoped to the work.
Do you work remotely?
Yes. I'm based in Irvine, CA, and work with US startups remotely. Core hours are 1–9pm PT (Pacific).
Related
Start with an email.
If the answer you need is not here, email me with what you are building or the seat that is open.
Subject: “A question - via datasaa.com/faq” (the link above fills it in).
Include
- what you are building, or the seat that is open
- where the team is today and what is slipping
- any hard date
- who owns the budget for it
I reply by email within one business day. Core hours 1–9pm PT (Pacific). There is no form and no booking link.