Howdy! I'm Gaelan.
I design and scale high-performance CMS and eCommerce platforms.
For over 25 years I’ve helped enterprise teams modernize complex websites through replatforming, redesign, and infrastructure improvement. My work delivers measurable gains in performance, team efficiency, and cost savings.
I’m a Staff-level Web Platform Engineer based in Seattle, leading performance engineering, frontend architecture, and technical SEO for high-traffic WordPress, CMS, and eCommerce systems.
I’ve spoken at WordCamps on web performance and WordPress optimization, sharing practical strategies for improving site speed and scalability.
My primary focus areas
Platform architecture
Designing scalable SSG, WordPress, and eCommerce systems that support business growth.
Performance engineering
Improving Core Web Vitals, page speed, and real-world user experience at scale.
Infrastructure optimization
Reducing infrastructure cost and complexity through optimized architecture.
Technical SEO
Ensuring platforms are structured for search visibility, crawlability, and long-term organic growth.
Selected writing
How to rebuild a ZFS pool
A practical guide to rebuilding a ZFS pool after accidentally creating a stripe instead of a mirror.
Fix macOS Finder problems with Samba file shares
MacOS's Finder has bizarre problems working with large Samba shares.
Upgrade PHP 8.x on FreeBSD
How to upgrade PHP 8.x to newer versions on FAMP stack servers.
How to Create a FreeBSD Web Server (FAMP Stack) - 2026 Guide
In this updated 2026 guide, I'll show you how to create a FreeBSD web server using a FAMP stack (FreeBSD, Apache, MariaDB, and PHP).
How to import an OpenVPN profile on iOS (without iTunes)
Follow this guide to connect to your OpenVPN server on iOS.
Using Apache RewriteMap to handle redirects for WordPress multisite
How to use Apache RewriteMap for high-performance redirects without relying on WordPress redirection plugins.
Solving the mystery of Xigmanas Samba file permissions on ZFS
Years in the making and I've finally figured it out. Now time to share with others.
Batch processing video files with Avidemux
Here's how to convert multiple video files at once.
Outside of work
I’m a fan of Twin Peaks, SOM (architecture firm), Captain Janeway, and the Oxford comma. Oh, and I make a mean scratch margarita.
You can explore my writing, projects, and photography, self-hosted using an open-source photo gallery I built with Jekyll and AWS.
Curious what those three boxes are?