Senior engineering executive with a career built at the intersection of deep technical knowledge and organizational leadership. My work spans defense and aerospace applications — autonomous systems, AI-enabled sensing, avionics, and the discipline required to build and sustain high-performance technical teams. I have led engineering organizations at the Director, Vice President, and CTO levels, and I retain the technical fluency to engage meaningfully at every layer of the stack. I approach both engineering and leadership through a systems lens: the same discipline that produces resilient architecture produces resilient teams.
Current
Roles
Vice President of Engineering
Computer Vision & Machine Learning · Robotic Vision Systems
Leading a team of computer vision and machine learning engineers developing robotic vision systems for autonomous machines. Compound Eye delivers depth perception, scene understanding, and GPS-denied positioning without LiDAR — across defense, automotive, and heavy equipment domains. The company has been awarded five Direct to Phase II SBIR contracts by the U.S. Department of Defense.
Career
Background
Director of Engineering
Overseeing the full product development team — 22 engineers building AI-enabled autonomous capabilities and weapons sensor integration systems for defense customers.
Technical Director
Led teams of engineers building and sustaining capabilities for government customers including the Air Force Research Laboratory and DARPA. Responsible for program execution, workforce development, and technical direction across multiple concurrent defense engagements.
Senior Aviation Software Engineer
Specialized in low-level interfaces to avionics peripherals, high-speed data buses, and real-time digital signal processing. Developed software for flight-critical systems where correctness and timing are not negotiable.
Johnson County
Community College
Adjunct Professor
Taught in the Computer Science and Information Technology department, bringing professional industry experience directly into the academic setting.
Independent
Small Business Owner
Founded and operate a small business serving the educational needs of the local community. Also active in precision metalwork and metal fabrication as a professional and hobbyist machinist.
Education
Academic Background
B.S. Computer Engineering
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology — with a foundation in electrical engineering, physics, and numerical mathematics. Recognized as Outstanding Technical Communications Student (2000). I began in electrical engineering and enjoy writing in both technical and non-technical forms; I have been contracted as a freelance author and technical editor.
Skills & Tools
Technical Capabilities
As an engineer, the actual tool I use is whatever is most appropriate for the job. That said, here is a sampling of what I have used extensively over the years.
Software Engineering
- C, since 1997
- C++, since 1999
- Python, since 2001
- JavaScript, since 1999
- PHP, since 2000
- Perl, since 1999
- Java, since 1999
- HTML, CSS, SQL, since 1999
Systems & Assembly
- x86 Assembly, since 2000
- ARM Assembly, since 2006
- Analog Devices Blackfin, since 2010
- UNIX / BSD / Solaris, since 1999
- GNU toolchain — GCC, GDB, make
- vi, Vim, C Shell, Bourne Shell
Hardware & Electronics
- Digital design, VHDL for FPGAs
- Circuit board layout and design
- Analog and RF design
- Power supply design
- ADC / DAC and DSP systems
- Software-defined radio
Fabrication & Design
- CNC machining and metal fabrication
- Mechanical design engineering
- Mechanical and thermal stress analysis
- 3D modeling — Blender, Inkscape, GIMP
Member: IEEE (2020) · The Institute of Navigation (2018)
Personal
Beyond Engineering
I am a firm believer in the value of a well-rounded individual and bring the same energy and commitment to all aspects of life. Compared to most engineers, I am well-read, with a strong interest in literature, history, sociology, etymology, philology, and theoretical science. I am a self-taught student of musical theory and play the guitar.
I am physically active and enjoy just about anything outdoors.
- I regularly compete in triathlons.
- I have completed three marathons and numerous endurance and obstacle races.
- I have been technical rock climbing since 1993.
- I have climbed several mountains above 14,000 feet.
- I am a PADI-certified SCUBA diver.
- I have formal TCCC/TECC (tactical combat casualty care) training.
- I hike, mountain bike, backpack, disc golf, and footbag.
Community & Mentorship
- FIRST Robotics engineering mentor, 2012 – present
- Garmin Engineering Ambassador, 2011 – present
- ProjectCSGIRLS engineering mentor, 2021 – present
- Watch DOGS education volunteer, 2016 – present
My most important role, however, is dad. I married a cute science teacher in 2004. We have two crazy kids who have made me happier than I ever could have imagined.