Two families. One firm.
42 combined years of running real businesses, now in service of yours.
Throughway AI is a partnership between two California families of companies who’ve spent four decades running operations, building software, and serving small and mid-sized businesses. We started Throughway because the AI conversation is being dominated by people who’ve never met payroll. We’ve met payroll. A lot.
Loren Dougherty: Strategy & audience
Loren has been running businesses in Northern California for 25+ years. He founded:
- Alpha Alarm & Audio. Commercial security and audio/video systems serving Vacaville, Solano County, Sacramento County, Yolo County, and Napa County.
- How2Consulting. Small business consulting practice.
- VendBoss + VBoss Charging. Vending operations and EV charging infrastructure.
- Elite Fitness Dixon. Membership-based fitness business.
- The Alpha Edge Podcast. Interviews with operators and entrepreneurs.
Loren brings the operator’s perspective, the audience, and the strategy lens to every Throughway engagement.
Raymond Beckham: Build & infrastructure
Raymond has been building software and IT for 17+ years. He founded and runs:
- Beckham Enterprises. Custom software, web, and mobile app development.
- ART Computer. On-site IT services across Solano County.
- Synthera Technology. Enterprise IT solutions and cybersecurity.
- A growing portfolio of small SaaS products, including consumer protection software.
Raymond brings the build capability, the IT infrastructure, the cybersecurity practice, and the engineering team to every Throughway engagement.
Why we partnered
Most AI agencies are one of two things: a strategy shop with no build capability, or a build shop with no operator perspective. We’re both, in one firm. Loren tells the operator the truth about what AI can and can’t do for their business. (More on that in our process.) Raymond ships the system that does the work.
The engineered path forward
That’s our tagline because that’s the work. Most AI advice is improvised. We’re building a way to install AI inside an operating business that doesn’t depend on luck. Three productized engagements, fixed scope, fixed prices, measured outcomes.
Where we are
Vacaville, California. Throughway AI is a California LLC, jointly owned. We work with clients across the United States, in person within Northern California, and remotely everywhere else.
Book an intro call with Loren or Raymond
30 minutes. No pitch. We’ll tell you whether AI is worth the investment in your business right now.