Salem · Oregon

The Picketts

Six generations in Oregon, and still here. This is our corner of it: what I'm writing, what I'm building, what I point a camera at, and what's happening down the street.

Our street, the morning after a spring storm.
Six generations Oregonian Former Mayor of Jefferson Co-founder & COO Photographer
Ben Pickett

Hi, I'm Ben.

I spent my career keeping big systems running, most recently as Global Director of Site Reliability Engineering at Nike. These days I'm co-founder and COO of an AI company, I write a weekly newsletter about what actually happens when companies put AI to work, and I take a camera most places I go.

My family has been in Oregon for six generations. I served a term as Mayor of Jefferson. Now we're in Salem, where the roses do well and the rain is a feature.

Reliability engineeringEnterprise AI Public servicePhotography

Where to find me

What I write

Enterprise Field Notes

A weekly field report on what actually happens when enterprises put AI into production. Written for the people who have to make it work, and read by the people who decide whether it does.

Read the latest →

Through the lens

Salem, Oregon

From the kitchen

51 recipes
Vegetarian · Egg-free · Low-GI

Pickett's Healthy Kitchen

Recipes I started writing down for a friend who is managing diabetes. North Indian, world favorites, desserts, snacks that survive a carry-on, drinks worth making, and eight things for a hard week. Every dish has the steps, an estimated calorie count and a glycemic index, plus one practical tip.

Open the cookbook →

Around the neighborhood

August 7 and 8

Massey Estates Yard Sale

Friday at 9:00 AM through Saturday at 4:00 PM. The gate is open during sale hours, and no early birds, please.

See the details →

Say hello

Neighbors, readers and old colleagues all welcome.