Michael Hanko — Builder, Trader, Engineer

// About

I build things. That's always been the constant — whether it was automating an AP department's workflow at Johnson Controls, wiring ERP integrations at Zywave, or now building AI-powered trading platforms from scratch. The tools change; the instinct to make something better doesn't.

After 15 years in enterprise data — ERP implementations, SQL Server, Dynamics GP, Salesforce, the whole corporate stack — I went all-in on what I actually love: quantitative analysis, algorithmic trading, and the intersection of AI with financial markets. Since 2024 I've shipped three products, built automated analytical pipelines, and taught myself the full modern stack (Python, FastAPI, Docker, Next.js, cloud infrastructure) by doing it live.

I'm also in long-term recovery and openly talk about it. I believe the same discipline that keeps you sober — honesty, accountability, doing hard things daily — is exactly what makes a good engineer and an ethical trader. I write about all of it on Substack and through my AI copilot, Sam the Quant Ghost.

// What I've Built

Ghost Alpha Dossier

Live

Automated daily market intelligence report. 16-stage pipeline: technical analysis, institutional flow, AI narrative, market regime detection. Runs at 5AM CST via GitHub Actions.

TickerTrace Pro

Live

ETF transparency tool. Tracks exact holdings of YieldMax, Avantis, and other complex ETFs. FastAPI backend on VPS, Next.js frontend on Vercel.

TraderDaddy Pro

Beta

AI-powered trading dashboard. Real-time signals, VoPR options analysis, Bloomberg-style HUD. Integrated with Tradier brokerage for live execution.

AMU — Alpha Momentum University

Live

Trading education platform. Covers technical analysis, risk management, and the "Tao of Trading" methodology. Free, no paywalls.

// Technical Stack

Languages & Frameworks

Python SQL JavaScript TypeScript FastAPI Next.js HTML/CSS Bash

Data & AI

Pandas NumPy Gemini AI Vertex AI SQLite SQL Server Firebase

Infrastructure

Docker Linux Apache GCP Vercel Vultr VPS CI/CD Git

Enterprise & ERP

Dynamics GP Dynamics 365 Salesforce SAP Oracle SSRS SSIS

Finance & Trading

Options Technical Analysis Algorithmic Trading Black-Scholes Backtesting ETF Analysis

Tools & APIs

yfinance TradingView Tradier API Stripe Playwright OpenBB

// Experience

2024 → Present

Momentum Phinance — Founder

Fintech Builder & Quantitative Developer

Built and shipped 3 live products (Ghost Alpha Dossier, TickerTrace Pro, TraderDaddy Pro) from zero to production
Designed a 16-stage automated pipeline running daily via GitHub Actions — technical analysis, institutional flow, AI narrative generation
Architected split-stack deployment: Next.js on Vercel, FastAPI + Docker on VPS, Apache SSL proxy, Firebase auth
Built VoPR engine: 4-model realized volatility ensemble (Parkinson, Garman-Klass, Rogers-Satchell, CC) with Black-Scholes Greeks
Pair-programming with AI agents (Claude, Gemini) using structured governance and handoff protocols

2022 → 2024

Origami Risk

Data Consultant

Designed system architecture and communicated decisions to senior consultants and Client Executives
Built data integration pipelines, conversions, and unit testing for insurance risk platforms
Liaison between customer needs and product roadmap — conduit for feature requests and gap analysis
Managed project plans and drove accountability across implementation engagements

2020 → 2022

Zywave

Data Analyst — Integrations Specialist

Mapped data between web apps using Dynamics 365, Salesforce, and Tibco Scribe
Provided technical expertise for partner implementations and customer support
Cross-department training and Data Services team development

2014 → 2020

KEY2ACT (Wennsoft)

Solution Consultant → Support Analyst

Pre-sales engineering: product demos, requirements discovery, technical presentations
Dynamics GP ecosystem — job cost, service management, field service modules
QA for major releases; implemented support center automation using API tooling

2013 → 2014

Johnson Controls

Senior Rep — Accounts Payable

SAP, Oracle, Lawson — multi-ERP environment
Led Office 365 migration coaching and SharePoint implementation for AP

2010 → 2013

Merge Healthcare / IBM

AP Accountant

Multi-ERP accounting: IFS, Epicor, QuickBooks, Dynamics GP
SOX compliance, journal entries, balance sheet reconciliation

// Education

2002 — 2006

University of Wisconsin — Stevens Point

B.S. Business Administration / Mathematics

// Beyond the Terminal

Active in AA/NA recovery — I believe the same rigor that keeps you sober makes you a better builder. Ham radio operator (KD9FCB). Father of four. Former homelab enthusiast turned production infrastructure operator. I write on Substack about technology, trading, recovery, and AI.