Steve Shickles is a technology leader, cloud engineer, and entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience designing secure, scalable systems. From building data centers and hosting infrastructure to leading cloud architecture at global companies, Steve combines deep technical expertise with a passion for solving complex challenges. As a Principal Cloud Engineer at Zynga, he helped shape resilient cloud solutions for high-demand gaming platforms like Words With Friends and FarmVille. Earlier, he co-founded and scaled a data center and hosting company, delivering enterprise-grade solutions for e-commerce, defense, and SaaS clients across multiple continents.
Steve’s career began in the U.S. Army, where he served as a Signal Support Specialist and earned the Army Commendation Medal. His military experience instilled in him discipline, adaptability, and a service mindset that continues to guide his work. A hands-on technologist, Steve thrives at the intersection of infrastructure automation, cloud security, and AI-driven innovation.
Beyond his technical contributions, Steve’s journey reflects resilience, growth, and accountability. He is committed to learning from all aspects of his experience — both achievements and setbacks — and is passionate about building with integrity and purpose.
Steve lives in the Austin, Texas area with his wife, Ronda, and their two daughters, Scout and Penelope. He values his time with family and enjoys supporting his daughters’ interests in writing, competitive cheerleading, and the arts. Steve and his family are active members of their local church, where he contributes his technical skills and embraces community service. Grateful for every opportunity, Steve strives to set a positive example for his family and community by combining technical excellence with humility and integrity.
