35 Years of Building Systems That Work
From military communications to small business automation—the same engineering discipline, now working for you.
Meet Alex Pennington
I've been writing code since before most "tech consultants" were born. Thirty-five years of building systems—from secure military communications to enterprise applications to the custom automation that runs my own business today.
In tech, they call someone with this kind of experience a "greybeard"—and I wear that title proudly. It means I've seen technologies come and go. I've watched the hype cycles. I know what actually works and what's just noise.
Most importantly, I've learned that the best technology is invisible. It just works, reliably, day after day—so you can focus on running your business instead of fighting your systems.
Experience That Matters
Military Communications
Fifteen years with MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System), building secure HF communications systems. When your work supports military operations, "good enough" isn't an option.
Currently developing open-source MIL-STD-188-110A modem implementations—bringing military-grade reliability to amateur radio operators.
Callsign: KY4OLB / AAM402
Security-First Development
Years of building systems where security wasn't a feature—it was the foundation. DOD protocols, secure codebases, and the discipline that comes from working in environments where mistakes have real consequences.
That same security mindset now protects your business data and operations.
Real Business Owner
Phoenix Nest LLC isn't a side project—it's a real firewood delivery and excavation business serving a 60-mile radius around Ashland, Kentucky. Real customers, real operations, real challenges.
Every automation solution I recommend, I've tested on myself first. When I say it works, I mean it works—because my business depends on it too.
How I Work
Human-Guided, Not Human-Replaced
AI and automation are powerful tools, but they need experienced human oversight. I don't build black boxes that make decisions you can't understand or control. Every system I create keeps you in the driver's seat.
Practical Over Theoretical
I'm not interested in "best practices" from a textbook. I care about what actually works in the real world—in businesses like yours and mine. No buzzwords, no over-engineering, just solutions that solve problems.
Direct Access, Always
When you work with GreybeardSystems, you work with me directly. No junior consultants, no account managers, no runaround. Thirty-five years of expertise on every call, every email, every line of code.
Right-Sized for SMBs
I've seen enterprise projects that cost millions and deliver headaches. Small businesses need solutions built for their scale—powerful enough to handle growth, simple enough to actually use, priced for reality.
Based in Greenup, Kentucky—serving clients remotely across the country.
Early riser, hands-on problem solver, and firm believer that technology should make life simpler, not more complicated.
Let's talk about what automation can do for your business.
Ready to Work Together?
No pressure, no pitch. Just a conversation about your business and whether I can help.
Schedule a Discovery Call35 Years of Building Systems That Work
From military communications to small business automation—the same engineering discipline, now working for you.
Meet Alex Pennington
I've been writing code since before most "tech consultants" were born. Thirty-five years of building systems—from secure military communications to enterprise applications to the custom automation that runs my own business today.
In tech, they call someone with this kind of experience a "greybeard"—and I wear that title proudly. It means I've seen technologies come and go. I've watched the hype cycles. I know what actually works and what's just noise.
Most importantly, I've learned that the best technology is invisible. It just works, reliably, day after day—so you can focus on running your business instead of fighting your systems.
Experience That Matters
Military Communications
Fifteen years with MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System), building secure HF communications systems. When your work supports military operations, "good enough" isn't an option.
Currently developing open-source MIL-STD-188-110A modem implementations—bringing military-grade reliability to amateur radio operators.
Callsign: KY4OLB / AAM402
Security-First Development
Years of building systems where security wasn't a feature—it was the foundation. DOD protocols, secure codebases, and the discipline that comes from working in environments where mistakes have real consequences.
That same security mindset now protects your business data and operations.
Real Business Owner
Phoenix Nest LLC isn't a side project—it's a real firewood delivery and excavation business serving a 60-mile radius around Ashland, Kentucky. Real customers, real operations, real challenges.
Every automation solution I recommend, I've tested on myself first. When I say it works, I mean it works—because my business depends on it too.
How I Work
Human-Guided, Not Human-Replaced
AI and automation are powerful tools, but they need experienced human oversight. I don't build black boxes that make decisions you can't understand or control. Every system I create keeps you in the driver's seat.
Practical Over Theoretical
I'm not interested in "best practices" from a textbook. I care about what actually works in the real world—in businesses like yours and mine. No buzzwords, no over-engineering, just solutions that solve problems.
Direct Access, Always
When you work with GreybeardSystems, you work with me directly. No junior consultants, no account managers, no runaround. Thirty-five years of expertise on every call, every email, every line of code.
Right-Sized for SMBs
I've seen enterprise projects that cost millions and deliver headaches. Small businesses need solutions built for their scale—powerful enough to handle growth, simple enough to actually use, priced for reality.
Based in Greenup, Kentucky—serving clients remotely across the country.
Early riser, hands-on problem solver, and firm believer that technology should make life simpler, not more complicated.
Let's talk about what automation can do for your business.
Ready to Work Together?
No pressure, no pitch. Just a conversation about your business and whether I can help.
Schedule a Discovery Call