My Story: From Technical Expert to Leadership Mentor

I didn’t begin my career planning to become a leadership coach. I started as a chemical manufacturing process engineer in the pharmaceutical industry. I left for graduate school, but diverted to travel, resort operations, and small business adventures. This grand diversion helped me become a much better communicator and to perceive much more broadly.

Eventually, I earned the engineering doctorate, and was hired by NASA where I have worked for over 20 years. I moved from niche specialist to systems engineer, then to department head, project manager, and engineering director.

At some point I started to realize that in each role it wasn’t my technical expertise that stood out, it was my ability to lead people to beneficial results. Then I started seeing that leadership was what made everything work – spacecraft development, facility operations, construction projects – the technical wizardry was but one contributor. I was, subconsciously, leaving my engineering roots and growing leadership abilities.

This transition doesn’t come easy for many technical contributors. For me, it was aided by my prior work experience, as well as my other roles as youth sports coach, Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster, and non-profit board member. I also benefited by serving as a mentor and informal coach to many colleagues in various engineering fields and roles, as well as in finance and project management.

What I learned surprised me:

The success of every mission depended more on leadership than technical brilliance.

Leadership created clarity.
Leadership steadied the team.
Leadership aligned people.
Leadership made the mission possible.

Why I Started Sterling Leadership

Across industries, from pharmaceuticals to resorts, retail, nonprofits, small business, and government, I saw a pattern:

Brilliant contributors were promoted into leadership roles without the guidance they needed to thrive.

They weren’t lacking talent.
They weren’t lacking intelligence.
They were lacking support.

So I offer the kind of support they should have.

Leadership guidance that’s grounded, thoughtful, strategic, and human.

Leadership skills development that helps people grow and avoid burnout.

Who am I outside of work?

To keep my body and mind tuned, refreshed, and flexible, I spend time outside as much as possible, usually walking or running, and also in the ocean, swimming and surfing, when the weather allows. I do body-weight strength exercises and stretch regularly. My cooking style emphasizes plant-forward recipes of varied international origins and fusions.

I travel adventurously, with a light pack and loose itinerary to uncommon places. These elements come together to support a high level of personal resilience, which you might notice I consider a key component of leadership.