About me
I started in restaurants in 2005 and went on to private country clubs and ultra-luxury cruise lines, most recently as a Senior Butler with Crystal Cruises, running 12 to 14 suites and often requested by name. Service taught me to anticipate and solve problems before the guest ever feels them.
In 2026 I began learning and building with AI, and I haven’t stopped. This site is where that work lives. I hold Microsoft’s AI Transformation Leader certification and completed Google’s Stay Ahead of the AI Curve course. I’m based in Cape Town and speak English and Afrikaans.
Credentials
Microsoft Certified: AI Transformation LeaderGoogle: Stay Ahead of the AI CurveSTCWNAUI Rescue DiverDriver’s licenceMatriculatedBuilt with
ClaudeVercelSupabaseResendCanvaWhat I’m known for
Claims are cheap, so each one comes with proof.
Hard-working
Went from no experience to running a fibre optic installation site in three months.
Empathetic, great with guests and clients
Requested by name across multiple voyages, and owned every request and complaint through to resolution.
Always learning
Two AI credentials and several live AI builds, all in 2026.
Prevention first
Proactive check-ins that caught issues before guests had to raise them.
Forward thinker
Applying AI to guest experience, where hospitality is heading.
The work
Each project is proof of ability, built to show what AI can do for hospitality.
Guest Experience Command Centre
An interactive concept showing how AI supports a Guest Experience Manager, with role-based access, audit logging and grounded answers, on synthetic guests.
Open the demoCooper, the chatbot
An assistant grounded in approved facts about me. It answers from them and asks you to confirm with me when it doesn’t know.
Try CooperPro-Me, the AI job-matching app
A working app that matches a candidate’s profile to roles. Try it with a sample candidate, or add your own keys to run it live.
Open the demoProperty Portfolio Manager
The next showcase: AI support for managing a portfolio of properties.
My path
- 2026 to nowBuilding with AI: chatbot, job-matching app and the Guest Experience Command Centre.
- 2024 to 2025Senior Butler, Crystal Cruises. 12 to 14 suites on an 800-guest ship.
- 2022 to 2023Senior Bell Captain and Senior Server, Seabourn Odyssey.
- 2016 to 2019Server Captain and Floor Manager, Country Clubs USA (Fishers Island and Mirasol).
- 2005 onwardRestaurants and management, plus a fibre optic technician role and time at an abalone farm along the way.
Ask Cooper
Cooper is my AI assistant. It answers only from facts I’ve approved. If it doesn’t know, it will ask you to confirm with me.
Get in touch
Want to talk about a role, a project or an idea? Leave a message and I’ll reply personally.