Ari Crane

Background

• Former top 10% U.S. Army officer (enlisted to officer progression)
• Rare music collector and dealer - owns AR Record Sellers
• Works with Audio Media Grading (AMG) and Heritage Auctions
• Has owned/graded some of the rarest records in existence, including "the highest grade on the planet" of the first-ever Ska record
• Father of two boys: Jet (8 years old, described as "super advanced") and 5-year-old
• Married, self-described as not wealthy but well-connected with wealthy individuals
• Inventor and architect of movements (gamified driving, drone inspections in confined spaces)
• Oil & gas executive (midstream and downstream)
• Nonprofit founder - "Vinyl for Vets" program (gifted 112 turntables in one year, operated at a loss)
• Music historian and director of heritage operations
• Previously created "The Fleet" - an early gamification system for driving/vehicles (12 years ago)
• Started a "Kansas City gentlemen's club" to help men develop social skills and attract women

Role & Potential Collaboration Areas

• Rare Music Collection & Tokenization: Extensive knowledge of rare records; potential collaboration on tokenizing collectible music
• Connections to China: Working with business partner Sherman Taylor (Allen Zhou / 周艾伦) who has connections to Elon Musk's educational programs in Asia
• Dallas Network: Close connection to Rogers Healy (major real estate figure in Dallas) and broader Dallas business community
• Process Optimization: Experience in efficiency systems and optimization, particularly in industrial contexts
• Trump City Initiative: Expressed interest and alignment with the concept of creating a new model city; mentioned Palestine, TX as a potential location

Key Insights & Perspectives

• Identifies as a person of faith with strong Christian values
• Process-oriented thinker who focuses on efficiency and optimization ("solutions" mindset)
• Believes in the importance of proper planning and sequencing of initiatives
• Missionary personality seeking the right mission and movement to lead
• Big picture thinker with "thousand foot view" perspective (military training)
• Passionate about turning "benign things into extraordinary things"
• Expresses concern about environmental issues but skeptical of climate change narratives
• Conservative political views
• Interested in innovation, particularly around resource utilization (mentioned Plastiline technology)
• Values genuine connections and authenticity in relationships
• Self-aware about narrative challenges and need for focus/positioning

Current Projects & Interests

• AR Record Sellers: Business focused on rare record collection and sales (holds 200+ slabs with Rogers Healy)
• Slab Record Market Development: Holds top 3 world record prices for graded records, turned $10K into $180K in first year
• $500K Series A Funding: Raising capital for rare record acquisition and market expansion (experiencing continued delays with Rogers Healy who is distracted by multi-billion dollar projects)
• Audio Media Grading (AMG): Working with them on record grading and preservation
• Heritage Auctions & Golden Auctions: Participating in high-end collectible auctions market
• MBA Program: Started MBA at Southern New Hampshire University on August 25, 2025
• Job Search: Applied to 200+ jobs as of August 2025
• Collectible Records: Actively building a collection of extremely rare records; knows several major collectors
• Vinyl for Vets: Nonprofit initiative providing analog sound therapy through turntable distribution (operated at a loss)

Interactions with Gary Sheng

• First Meeting: Presumably at a convention/show (referenced in transcript)

• Extended Call: Had lengthy conversation on May 6, 2025 covering personal backgrounds, business ideas, Trump City concept, and potential collaborations

• Planned Meeting: Discussed arranging meeting with Rogers Healy and potentially staying in Dallas for a few days

• 2025-05-22: Extensive in-person meeting in Austin including:

  • Tour of Alpha High
  • Revealed $5 million China education deal
  • Shared results of Bernard interview (90% effectiveness score)
  • Brought rare vinyl records including Billy Graham, Ayn Rand for Joe Liemandt
  • Discussed music NFT strategy and government contract expertise
  • Attended dinner at Cooper's BBQ with Ron Roberts and others
  • Proposed multiple strategic partnerships

• 2025-06-16: AlexEd China Education Founding Team Meeting - Participated in historic Microsoft Teams meeting that established the formal founding of AlexEd China education initiative. Served as technology architect alongside Sherman Taylor in recruiting Lael Alexander. Demonstrated understanding of Silo Cloud platform's revolutionary potential: "You've completely eliminated all the barriers to entry... This changes everything." Shared military intelligence background with Sherman (29-year battle buddies, both Army veterans). Recognized industrial applications: "This would also change all supply companies too. We're in the oldest plumbing HVAC supply company in the state of Illinois, 1858 company. This would completely transform supply." Provided chemical hydrologist perspective on team dynamics, comparing collaboration to water's universal solvent properties.

• 2025-06-16: Yard House Dinner China Strategy - Extended strategic dinner at The Domain with Gary, Sherman, and Lina Lu planning China education expansion. Ari demonstrated cultural curiosity about China, expressing excitement for his first trip to China as part of the Shanghai summit planning. Provided practical logistics support including potential Dallas-Tulsa coordination for meeting Dr. Alexander: "It's like a three or three and a half hour drive from Dallas up to Tulsa." Showed continued commitment to rare music collection integration with technology projects and maintained focus on relationship building between team members.

• 2025-06-18: Airport Conversation and Personal Branding Session - Extended conversation while navigating Dallas airport as Gary traveled to Tulsa. Gary conducted informal interview/coaching session helping Ari refine his personal narrative and positioning. Ari revealed comprehensive background including military progression from enlisted to top 10% officer, oil & gas executive experience, and nonprofit work through "Vinyl for Vets" program. Discussed slab record market development where Ari holds top 3 world record prices and turned $10K into $180K in first year. Revealed challenges with $500K Series A funding round delays with Rogers Healy, who is distracted by multi-billion dollar projects. Gary advised focus on vinyl expertise as core differentiator: "humanity doesn't need you to be top 25% at something...It needs you to be top top, literally the best." Ari demonstrated deep knowledge of high-end audio equipment market, discussing $20K+ turntable setups and million-dollar speaker systems. Personal insights included father-son dynamics with two boys (Jet, 8, and 5-year-old) and parallel to Iran-Israel conflict resolution. Gary identified Ari as "missionary looking for the right mission" and proposed website domains AriCrane.com and Crane's Curations.

• 2025-06-19: JUNETEENTH FACTORY CONVERGENCE & FAMILY TOUR - Historic visit to Lael Alexander's Tulsa factory with wife Jennifer and sons Jet and Maverick, featuring rare vinyl gifting, comprehensive technology demonstrations, and strategic discussions about potential Tulsa relocation.

Rare Vinyl Heritage Gifts: Presented curated collection of historic records including 1962 first pressing mint condition Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. first LP from Do-To Label. Lael's profound response: "Today's Juneteenth. When I tell people I wasn't around to hear that I had a dream speech... I would follow that up with, this is the only way I heard it... And then you gave me that without knowing that I lead off my speech."

Music Curation Philosophy: Demonstrated professional approach to collection building: "I collect the Mercury label. And Mercury was one of the first labels to feature inter-race groups and to really spread the movement... I build collections for people, but I gift. I build, once I get to know people, I build collections for them."

Family Technology Education: Sons experienced live demonstrations of solid-state cooling technology, learning about endothermic cycles and electron manipulation. Jet and Maverick gained exposure to comprehensive STEM educational approach through hands-on experimentation.

Tulsa Relocation Vision: Expressed serious interest in relocating family to Tulsa for advanced music school and educational opportunities: "I've taken what I do and my knowledge and brought it down to one thing... I would love to build the most advanced music school and preservation spot on the planet where literally anybody can come to... I think you should do it in Tulsa."

Educational Collaboration Planning: Discussed potential K-5 school development in Tulsa for his children and others seeking advanced educational options. Wife Jennifer expressed openness to relocation: "My wife is like, you know, I would love to move back up to that area. We're not beholden to Dallas."

Professional Integration: Discovered mutual connections with Lael through Petrochem industrial services company where Ari previously worked, creating additional business relationship foundation.

Music Preservation Mission: Recognized Tulsa as ideal location for combining rare music preservation with advanced educational technology, potentially creating world-class institution for musical heritage and STEM education integration.

• 2025-08-09: FAITH-BASED FRIENDSHIP AND MORAL DISCERNMENT - Extended conversation with Gary covering major life transitions including Gary's departure from Alpha Schools due to moral concerns and Ari's ongoing business challenges. Ari provided valuable theological perspective on Israel distinction: "Israel itself as a nation state is not a Christian state whatsoever...They do not believe that Christ is the son of God." Shared frustration with Sherman Taylor's deceptive business practices: "I haven't spoken with Sherman Taylor in three weeks. I just thought the bullshit was thick...everybody's trying to cut me out of deals." Updated Gary on current projects including 200+ job applications, MBA program starting August 25th at Southern New Hampshire University, and AR Record Sellers $500K strategic raise. Demonstrated deep faith perspective on struggle and divine engineering: "The struggle's real where the deceptor is...it's constant and it's with everybody around you. And everybody's walk is different. And I think it's engineered that way...divine engineering." Discussed technology-faith integration opportunities including denominational unity apps and biblical resource platforms. Offered hospitality to Gary during transition period: "Our home is open, Gary. If you need to come up for a couple of few days, clear your mind, you're welcome to." Revealed personal communication struggles while maintaining theological sophistication: "sometimes I really have great intentions or intent, but the words that come out do not match my intent." Shared vision for corporate town revival sponsorship and discussed plastic-to-fuel technology with trillion-dollar potential. Demonstrated continued commitment to authentic Christian friendship based on divine patterns rather than business opportunism.

• 2025-11-14: EXECUTIVE AI BOOTCAMP ADVISORY CALL - Transformative strategic conversation where Ari proposed comprehensive business model for Gary: executive AI intensive bootcamps targeting Fortune 500 companies. Demonstrated deep understanding of corporate training market: "PMI, Project Management Institute... Their revenue was $343 million." Provided specific pricing model ($15-20K per person), operational framework (week-long intensives at ranch locations), and marketing strategy (LinkedIn ads targeting C-suite). Shared personal PMI bootcamp experience where ASRC spent ~$100K sending 11 employees to Denver. Offered immediate 1% equity advisory role: "Just 1% for IT generation is all I ask." Revealed extensive 2026 economic predictions including explosive growth from ANWR oil development, flying vehicles consumer market, and China trade agreements. Discussed personal health challenges with acid reflux and diverticulitis requiring dietary restrictions. Shared new church involvement at New Beginnings in Euless, TX (pastor with 50+ Israel missions). Revealed full name as Ari Ben Crane ("only non-Jewish Ari Ben Crane that I know") with Palestinian grandmother who named him. Updated on 19-year-old daughter Ariana from first marriage whom he hasn't seen since age 1 due to custody issues. Provided profound perspective on Jewish history and resilience, citing 1956 three-day war victory and Teva pharmaceutical dominance. Discussed spiritual film recommendation "Barabbas" (1963) as metaphor for redemption. Extended hospitality invitation with new guest room setup near DFW airport. Demonstrated characteristic pattern-recognition abilities linking Gary's event experience to bootcamp model: "I can actually see you doing it."

• 2025-12-17: AUSTIN LUNCH & PRENDA MICROSCHOOL PITCH - Extended lunch meeting at Machi Sushi (all-you-can-eat) where Gary pitched Prenda microschool opportunity directly to wife Jennifer via phone call. Ari revealed Jennifer's sudden faith crisis: "She literally told me yesterday she lost her faith and doesn't believe in God" after cascade of setbacks including Rogers Healy backing out of AR Music Sellers buyout. Gary framed Prenda as potential economic incentive for Jennifer to re-engage with faith through faith-based education work. Shared AMG business update: turned $12K into $107K through rare record auctions, now working with Steve Aoki, Eminem, and Questlove. Revealed Gustavo (record dealer) "fucked" mutual contact Beef by cutting him out of Snoop Dogg partnership - both validated earlier instincts about Gustavo's character. Brainstormed "Chosen Few" as name for Gary's Christian "society engineer" initiative. Gary offered to buy Ari Meta Ray-Ban glasses contingent on content creation commitment: "Start being that influencer." Ari expressed feeling "past my prime" at mid-40s; Gary challenged this and affirmed education/music path. Discussed healing and prophets - Ari skeptical of most faith healers but Gary invited him to meet Houston pastor. Ari brought box of ~40-50 curated records for Gary including 1983 Bible camp guide "Winners and Losers on God's Earth." Currently on AMG road trip visiting 17 record stores across Austin, San Antonio, Temple, and Waco to recruit independent stores into grading submission network.

Contact Information

• Located in Dallas area (within 3 miles of New Beginnings Church in Euless, TX)
• Has guest room with memory foam futon for visitors
• Home is approximately 1.5 miles west of DFW airport (south side)

Notes

• Has two sons with current wife Jennifer: Jet (8 years old, "super advanced") and Maverick (5 years old)
• Has 19-year-old daughter Ariana (goes by Ana) from first marriage to daughter of anesthesiology group founder in Western Michigan; hasn't seen her since she was 1 year old due to custody separation when he was 26 and an Army Lieutenant
• Full name: Ari Ben Crane (meaning "lion and protector of the house of David") - named by Palestinian grandmother
• Self-described as a "pivot and an idea and a connector"
• Routine involves early rising (5-5:30am) and early bedtime (8-9pm)
• Health issues: severe acid reflux (cannot eat tomato-based, dairy, or acidic foods), diverticulitis (cannot eat foods with small seeds)
• Blood type: A-positive (follows "Eating for Your Blood Type" diet recommendations)
• Chemical hydrologist background from Ecolab work, understands water as universal solvent and body pH balance
• Claims to have invented/early-used the term "libtard" but stopped using it
• References interaction with a Cohen (head of A&R for Capitol Records) who allegedly admitted to unfair treatment of artists
• Self-aware about being on autism spectrum: "I know I'm on the spectrum. I don't know how deep or far or anything"
• Grew up in religious "two-by-twos" cult (now FBI investigated)
• Alaska background with commercial fishing experience
• Uncle Tom was first dermatologist in Alaska who gave him "Eating for Your Blood Type" book at high school graduation
• Attends New Beginnings Church in Euless, TX - Israel-focused church with Jewish attendees
• Achieved 80% win rate on government contracts (vs 18% industry standard)

Potential Value Add

• Network connector, especially to Rogers Healy and Dallas business community
• Expertise in rare music collection and potential tokenization
• Process optimization thinking that could apply to various initiatives
• Strategic advisor for executive education bootcamp model with deep PMI knowledge
• Aligned with vision for Trump City and education initiatives
• Executive AI bootcamp business model architect - provided comprehensive framework for $2M+ annual revenue opportunity
• Corporate training market expertise - understands Fortune 500 L&D spending patterns and decision-making
• Proven government contract expertise with $2.6B in successful projects and 80% win rate
• Music preservation and education vision - plans for "most advanced music school and preservation spot on the planet"

Strategic Value

• applied-ai-society Executive Bootcamp Architect: Provided comprehensive business model for executive AI intensives targeting Fortune 500 companies with $15-20K per person pricing and ranch-based delivery model - potentially $2M+ annual revenue opportunity
• Corporate Training Market Expert: Deep understanding of enterprise L&D spending patterns with proven PMI bootcamp experience and 80% win rate on $2.6B in government contracts
• Strategic Network Connector: Access to Rogers Healy (major Dallas real estate) and Sherman Taylor (China connections) providing bridge to high-net-worth individuals and international business opportunities
• Music Heritage Preservation Vision: Plans for "most advanced music school and preservation spot on the planet" aligns with applied-ai-society educational innovation and provides unique cultural differentiation for AI training programs

Transcripts

Transcript ID	Date	Summary
2025-12-31-gary-sheng-ari-crane-nye-breakfast-liberty	2025-12-31	NYE family breakfast near Liberty, TX after revival service; Jennifer shared nomadic/self-sufficiency vision for family; discussed school choice, Jet's advanced math abilities, Gary's new contract
2025-12-17-ari-crane-austin-lunch-prenda-microschool	2025-12-17	Austin lunch meeting covering Prenda microschool opportunity, Jennifer's faith crisis, AMG business updates, and Christian society engineering discussion
2025-11-14-ari-crane-executive-ai-bootcamp-strategy	2025-11-14	Strategic call where Ari proposed executive AI bootcamp business model and offered advisory role
2025-08-09-gary-sheng-ari-crane-alpha-departure-faith-journey-conversation-summary	2025-08-09	Phone conversation about Gary's departure from Alpha Schools and deepening faith journey while exploring collaboration opportunities
2025-06-18-gary-ari-airport-conversation	2025-06-18	2025-06-18: Gary Sheng & Ari Crane Airport Conversation
2025-06-16-alexed-china-education-founding-team-meeting	2025-06-16	Founding team meeting for AlexEd China education initiative showcasing technology architecture and government contracts expertise
2025-06-12-austin-hangout-lina-lu-ari-crane-sherman-taylor	2025-06-12	Austin strategic planning session on Alpha Schools China expansion with AlexEd team
2025-05-23-summary-sheng-mackenzie-price-samuel-armes-ron-roberts-ari-crane	2025-05-23	Alpha marketing overhaul strategy meeting with MacKenzie Price, Samuel Armes, and Ron Roberts
2025-05-22-ari-crane-meeting	2025-05-22	Deep dive meeting with Gary covering rare vinyl records, China education deals, Alpha Schools expansion, and strategic ventures
2025-05-06-ari-crane-call-raw	2025-05-06	Raw transcript of extensive 3+ hour conversation covering multiple topics
2025-05-06-ari-crane-call	2025-05-06	Summary of initial deep dive conversation covering music collecting, Trump City concept, personal backgrounds, and potential collaborations
2025-06-16-yard-house-dinner-shanghai-summit-planning	2025-06-16	Strategic dinner planning educational summit and travel coordination for team integration