How I started this adventure
After high-school, I did a stint in the army and then worked as an auto mechanic. I was quite happy
in this work but soon was severely injured in an auto accident where I incurred serious fractures to
my spine. After a couple of spinal surgeries and a lengthy recovery, I could walk again but the
thought of pursuing any career that required a strong back was out of the question.
I realized that if I was going to improve my quality of life, only I could kick-start the process so I
started pursuing ideas on would make my life interesting and worthwhile. Knowing that any path to
success required gaining more education, I decided that acquiring some knowledge of computers
could be a good basis for whatever I chose to do. I had never seen nor touched a computer and I
approached taking classes with great trepidation and fear of failure.
I started at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) as a non-matriculated part time student because
I did not have the background to get accepted nor was I sure I had the capability to succeed at the
university level. Lo, and behold, I started getting A’s. I loved the problem solving aspects of
programming. I ended up with a bachelor’s degree in computer systems and a perfect GPA of 4/4
graduating at the top of my class with an Outstanding Scholar Award and a membership in the
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
This experience taught me that many people have far more capability than they think they do. We
get held back by FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) that can rob us of motivation and ability to be
the best that we can be.
I have found in my corporate experience that group and individual FUD and the accompanying fear of
failure are a root cause of many problems in business. It is why many good and brave decisions do
not get made. If we taught more problem solving and planning skills to our engineers and
demonstrate strong effective leadership (as opposed to just "management"), it would breed self-
confidence and motivation that allows individuals and teams to accomplish so much more. I have led
teams to success through this very methodology multiple times!
I have enjoyed many years as a senior leader turning around failed teams and leading teams through
rapid growth phases. Although each team and program are different, there is a common core set of
efforts that must take place. A proper life cycle must be put into place and the technical staff must
be coached and led to take part in planning and making commitments for their own work. This will
build confidence in the people closest to the effort that they have some control which, in turn, builds
their motivation and commitment to succeed.
I am confident that I can help you out with your project/organizational problems. If you send an
email using the contact tab above, I will be more than happy to discuss it with you.
in this work but soon was severely injured in an auto accident where I incurred serious fractures to
my spine. After a couple of spinal surgeries and a lengthy recovery, I could walk again but the
thought of pursuing any career that required a strong back was out of the question.
I realized that if I was going to improve my quality of life, only I could kick-start the process so I
started pursuing ideas on would make my life interesting and worthwhile. Knowing that any path to
success required gaining more education, I decided that acquiring some knowledge of computers
could be a good basis for whatever I chose to do. I had never seen nor touched a computer and I
approached taking classes with great trepidation and fear of failure.
I started at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) as a non-matriculated part time student because
I did not have the background to get accepted nor was I sure I had the capability to succeed at the
university level. Lo, and behold, I started getting A’s. I loved the problem solving aspects of
programming. I ended up with a bachelor’s degree in computer systems and a perfect GPA of 4/4
graduating at the top of my class with an Outstanding Scholar Award and a membership in the
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
This experience taught me that many people have far more capability than they think they do. We
get held back by FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) that can rob us of motivation and ability to be
the best that we can be.
I have found in my corporate experience that group and individual FUD and the accompanying fear of
failure are a root cause of many problems in business. It is why many good and brave decisions do
not get made. If we taught more problem solving and planning skills to our engineers and
demonstrate strong effective leadership (as opposed to just "management"), it would breed self-
confidence and motivation that allows individuals and teams to accomplish so much more. I have led
teams to success through this very methodology multiple times!
I have enjoyed many years as a senior leader turning around failed teams and leading teams through
rapid growth phases. Although each team and program are different, there is a common core set of
efforts that must take place. A proper life cycle must be put into place and the technical staff must
be coached and led to take part in planning and making commitments for their own work. This will
build confidence in the people closest to the effort that they have some control which, in turn, builds
their motivation and commitment to succeed.
I am confident that I can help you out with your project/organizational problems. If you send an
email using the contact tab above, I will be more than happy to discuss it with you.
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Product Success Through Innovative
Engineering Solutions and Leadership
Engineering Solutions and Leadership
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