Fractional CTOAI Strategy & Technology Leadership
G5 Labs is my tech playground — where I personally take on the projects that catch my curiosity. MIT-certified, 20+ years in the trenches, and no project too big or too small. Most of my time is already committed, but I'm always open to new and intriguing work in the areas I love. Reach out — let's see if there's a fit.
A Playground for
Interesting Problems
I'm Joe Guarino. G5 Labs is my tech playground — the place I bring 20+ years of executive technology experience to the projects that genuinely interest me. By day I'm a VP of AI & Innovation; here, I get to pick what I work on and how I work on it.
I'm a Certified MIT CTO with specialized credentials in Applied Generative AI, Machine Learning, and Technology Management. I take on fractional CTO work, AI strategy, cybersecurity guidance, custom builds, and the occasional thing I haven't done before but think I'd enjoy.
Beyond the Boardroom
Leadership isn't something I leave at the office. I'm the Owner and Operator of a Jiu Jitsu academy where I coach and mentor over 200 students — all for the love of martial arts. I'm surrounded by talented people in every corner of my life, and what drives me most is helping others grow, improve, and reach their potential.
That same coaching mentality drives G5 Labs. I'm not trying to build the next big consultancy. G5 Labs is where I follow my curiosity, work with people I want to work with, and pour 20+ years of experience into problems worth solving — for organizations big and small.
What I Take On
These are the areas I love working in. If your project lives somewhere in here — or right next door — let's talk.
Fractional CTO
Strategic technology leadership without the full-time commitment. I plug in as your CTO — roadmapping, digital transformation, executive-level guidance — for as long as you need me.
AI & Innovation
Generative AI strategy, ML implementation, and AI-driven workflow design. I help organizations cut through the hype and turn emerging tech into real, measurable advantage.
Fractional CISO
Cybersecurity strategy, risk management, and compliance leadership. Enterprise-grade security perspective for organizations that don't need (or can't justify) a full-time CISO yet.
Digital Marketing & Creative
Full-funnel strategy, SEO, PPC, social, and conversion-focused web design. I treat marketing like an engineering problem — measurable, testable, and built to compound.
Hand-Picked Collaborators
When a project needs more hands than mine, I bring in people I've worked with for years and trust. No bench, no bait-and-switch — just the right person for what you actually need.
MSP & IT Operations
Managed IT and operational infrastructure design for smaller orgs that need senior IT thinking on retainer without standing up a full department.
Why G5 Labs
The difference between good technology decisions and great ones is the experience behind them.
Start the ConversationMIT-Certified Leadership
Not just theory — a rigorous MIT CTO certification combined with specialized AI and technology management credentials.
Battle-Tested Experience
Over two decades of progressive technology leadership, from building helpdesk teams to directing enterprise-wide digital transformation across PE acquisitions.
You Get Me
When you hire G5 Labs, you get Joe — not a junior consultant, not a sales handoff, not a bench. Every project I take is one I personally show up for and own end-to-end.
Full-Spectrum Perspective
From AI strategy to cybersecurity governance, digital marketing to cloud architecture — one operator who understands the full business landscape and how technology actually moves it forward.
Tools I Trust
Platforms and partners I lean on when the project calls for them.
These are the daily drivers. For my full curated AI stack — tools, prompts, skills, and workflows, all free — head over to skillra.ai
Have a Project
in Mind?
Fractional CTO work, an AI initiative, a security audit, or something I haven't seen before — I'd love to hear about it. I don't take on every project, and most of my time is already committed, but I'm always interested in new and intriguing opportunities in the areas I love. No project is too big or too small. Reach out and let's see if there's a fit.