Skip to main content

Zachary Casler

Met at: [Update if available] Met date: [Update if available] Role(s): Host, Chef, Entrepreneur, Former Startup Founder Last interaction: 2025-03-24 (Hosted Gary's birthday dinner)

Contact Information​

  • Email: [Update if available]
  • Phone: [Update if available]
  • Address: Home with two creeks in Austin [Update with specific address if available]

Personal Background​

  • Hosted Gary's birthday dinner at his home on 2025-03-24
  • Owns a unique property in Austin with two creeks in the middle
  • Has lived in Austin for nearly 9 years (since approximately 2016)
  • Previously didn't own a car for 4 years and got around Austin by bicycle
  • Has a son who attended Alpha School on scholarship for 2 years (2022-2023)
  • Values real-life experiences over digital/screen interactions
  • Describes himself as someone who tries "not to use computer" and doesn't have a LinkedIn
  • Goes on a lot of walks and values being outdoors

Professional Background​

  • Has been involved with Gary and others in programming with AI
  • Previously ran a dating app startup that was time-bound (users had only 10 minutes on the platform)
  • Worked in logistics for oil trading companies (IBM, Boeing, Exxon, Shell, Chevron)
  • Handled logistics for US exports, managing about 20% of oil barrels moved
  • Transitioned from corporate work to entrepreneurship
  • Has been involved in psychedelic medicine business for the past 5 years
  • Currently shifting focus to art and gem business
  • Sources and sells mushrooms, indicating involvement in this business

Expertise​

  • Cooking (served as chef for the birthday dinner)
  • AI programming (mentioned spending "every second programming with ai")
  • Gemstone cutting and jewelry business
  • Logistics and supply chain (oil industry background)
  • Psychedelic medicine
  • Art collection and curation
  • Described by Gary as having "universal creativity" and "wealth in relationships"

Current Projects & Interests​

  • AI programming and app development
  • Built various clones of popular apps including Slack, "zenex", and TikTok
  • Developing jewelry and gemstone business
  • Finding rare minerals and gems
  • Art collecting as investment and potential business
  • Interested in developing better software tools for gemstone design
  • References current jewelry design software like "Gem CAD Studio" and "Gem Studio" as outdated
  • Studying historical gemstone cutting techniques (has vintage binders from 1990 with gem cuts)
  • Has connections to jewelry industry professionals

Connections​

  • Gary Sheng (Close friend, hosting his birthday dinner)
  • Joe Liemandt (Connected but had some criticism of Alpha School based on son's experience)
  • Uzair Mahmud (Invited to his home for dinner)
  • Dallas Klein (Invited to his home for dinner)
  • Spencer Chubb (Invited to his home for dinner)
  • Gabe (Spencer's fiancee) (Invited to his home for dinner)
  • Lamar Cannon (Invited to his home for dinner)
  • Nils Lang (Invited to his home for dinner)
  • Malekai Mischke (Invited to his home for dinner)
  • Matthew Brown (Invited to his home for dinner)
  • Blake Webber (Comedian mentioned as friend/connection)
  • Various real estate contacts including a realtor named "Juliana" who is described as a friend

Notes​

From the transcript, Zachary appears to be a close friend who hosted Gary's birthday dinner. He has a unique property with two creeks and seems to have been working closely with Gary on AI programming projects. He mentioned that he and Gary had been "spending pretty much every second programming with ai" over the past three months, building various app clones and other projects.

Zach is transitioning from tech and logistics into more tactile fields like gemstones, jewelry, and art. He expressed skepticism about excessive screen time and values in-person experiences over digital ones. His home reflects his artistic sensibilities and taste for design, which Gary called "Omni Taste Master" capabilities.

He has some critical views on current education methods based on his son's experience at Alpha School, noting that technology integration into education can sometimes be detrimental. He observed that his son struggled to learn on a tablet compared to traditional books.

Zach appears to be well-connected with various professionals across different industries and has an entrepreneurial mindset, constantly exploring new business opportunities.

Interaction History​

  • 2025-03-24: Hosted Gary's birthday dinner at his home with Joe Liemandt and other friends.

Potential Collaboration Areas​

  • AI programming and app development
  • Technology projects
  • Social gatherings and events
  • Gemstone and jewelry design software development
  • AI-enhanced visualization for jewelry and art
  • Art collection and curation services
  • Developing wedding planning AI tools (idea discussed during dinner)
  • Creating innovative retail experiences combining education and shopping

Transcripts​

Transcript IDDateSummary
2025-03-24-joe-liemandt-birthday-dinner2025-03-24Birthday dinner at Zachary Casler's home with extensive discussion on education reform, AI development, and Alpha Schools initiatives