We recently connected with A.D. Slaton and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, A.D. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had started you own firm sooner?
I started Stillriver in March 2025, after spending 13+ years building news and sports streaming platforms. But if I’m being honest, I wasn’t fully committed. I took a role a few months later because I wasn’t sure I had what it takes to run my own thing. After 16 years inside big organizations, going independent felt like a leap I wasn’t ready for. Those months showed me I could do it – lead teams, deliver for clients, build something. By December I was ready to fully commit to Stillriver. So do I wish I’d started sooner? No. I needed every year of enterprise experience to have something worth offering, and I needed that detour to believe I could actually do it.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m AD, founder of Stillriver Software Solutions. I spent 16+ years in enterprise tech building streaming platforms that millions of people rely on during high-stakes moments – live sports, election nights, breaking news. When the buzzer-beater happens, when election results come in, when severe weather hits – those systems can’t go down. I learned to build things that work when failure isn’t an option.
I got into tech because I have a natural curiosity about how things work. I’m the person who asks “why?” until I actually understand something. That curiosity now drives how I approach AI Enablement. I’m not just teaching people to use AI tools – I help them understand why certain approaches work and how these systems actually function. That deeper understanding is what makes the difference between someone who can follow a tutorial and someone who can solve problems on their own.
Through Stillriver, I work with enterprise clients on AI integration, CTO advisory engagements, and training partnerships with organizations focused on expanding access to AI skills. I teach AI Engineering Principles – practical approaches to building with AI that come from real-world experience, not theory.
The name Stillriver reflects my philosophy: calm waters, deep knowledge. There’s a lot of noise and hype in the AI space right now. I bring steadiness during shaky moments – the same approach that served me building platforms where millions were watching and everything had to work.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Integrity. I do what I say I’m going to do. If I can’t fulfill an obligation, I address it and recommit. That sounds simple, but it’s rare enough that people remember it. I’ve always been pragmatic about software development. The Pragmatic Programmer shaped how I think – focus on what works, stay adaptable, keep getting better. I’m a lifelong learner. Always reading or listening to something. Always trying to go deeper.
That learning has now shifted into teaching. I find genuine joy in the lightbulb moment – when a concept clicks and someone goes from confused to understanding. After 16 years of building, sharing what I know feels like the next chapter.
The reputation came from showing up, doing what I said I would, and being reliable when it mattered. That’s it.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
My network. Sixteen years in this industry means I’ve worked with a lot of people who’ve seen how I operate. Referrals come from that – people who know I deliver. I’m also creating content and building community. Sharing what I’m learning, being visible, contributing to conversations. That opens doors too.
It all connects. The network leads to referrals. The content builds trust with people I haven’t met yet. The community keeps me plugged into what’s happening and who needs help.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stillriver.info/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adslaton/
