MakeItWork Global — Leadership Team
Leaders building QCash.me and the QuantumCache network to bridge traditional and decentralized finance.
Dr. Terence R. Smith
President
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Geography & Computer Science at UC Santa Barbara; former Department Chair and Director of the Alexandria Digital Library Project. With a BA from Cambridge and a PhD from Johns Hopkins, Terry has led over $40M in funding for spatial databases and digital libraries, he has also been working on AI technologies since the 1980’s. As President of MakeItWork Global, he guides research strategy and technical architecture for QuantumCache. Access to his research papers can be viewed here.
Val Nicholas
VP of Media & Strategic Communication
A Seven‑Time Emmy Award‑winning executive and U.S. Army Armored Cavalry veteran, Val brings decades of experience at NBC News, MSNBC, and ABC Entertainment. He serves as the Senior Vice President, Creative Director at Summit Media. He has developed and produced thousands of hours of programming and national campaigns, including the Roku series Ten Weeks and the hit podcast Solar. Val serves on the boards of Blue Star Families, Hire Heroes USA, and Future Now, and advises the USO and American Legion. At MakeItWork, he leads global media strategy and investor communications.
Nels Henderson, MAOM, CDMP
Director of Marketing & Digital Strategy
Director of Marketing & Digital Strategy
Instructor at UC Santa Barbara and LinkedIn Learning creator, Nels has over 25 years of experience in digital marketing, SEO, content development, and organizational management. He worked with web marketing at Citrix, managed marketing for multiple startups, and produced professional courses on AI‑driven marketing and accessibility. He holds a Master’s in Organizational Management (Antioch University Santa Barbara) and is a Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP). His blend of marketing expertise and AI integration helps MakeItWork communicate complex financial innovations in clear, human‑centered ways. He also serves as Adjunct Faculty at UCSB PaCE and Antioch University, and co‑owns Santa Barbara Mobile Notary. More information on Nels can be viewed here.
Derek Swafford
VP of Business Development & Banking Operations / CEO, Shamrocks Unlimited, Inc.
With more than 20 years in community and commercial banking, Derek has held leadership roles at Mechanics Bank, Montecito Bank & Trust, Union Bank, and Wells Fargo. He is also the CEO of Shamrocks Unlimited, Inc., a 48‑year‑old financial aid services firm supporting colleges nationwide with Title IV administration, funding, and compliance. A former Cal Berkeley football player and Pittsburgh Pirates baseball player, he specializes in operations, compliance, and business growth—bridging banking practice with MakeItWork’s fintech innovation.
Ricardo Frustockl
Founder & CEO
Founder of MakeItWork Global, Inc. and visionary behind QCash.me and the QuantumCache blockchain ecosystem. Ricardo has worked in computer technology since 1984, beginning in his father’s CNC machine shop to his ownership of the highly successful Santa Barbara PC Tech the computer repair, service & support business located in Santa Barbara, Californina. His expertise spans IT systems, blockchain architecture, and business development. Ricardo leads MakeItWork’s mission to merge traditional and decentralized finance using AI‑driven and quantum‑inspired principles. He has also served on nonprofit boards supporting drug and alcohol recovery programs, low‑income housing, and community preservation in Santa Barbara.