I came to organizational psychology through an unusual path. In the military, I trained as an Army interrogator. Not the Hollywood version, but the methodical work of building rapport under pressure and getting to the truth. From there, I became a de-escalation specialist at a state prison, then a state trooper handling volatile situations. Every role required the same skills: establishing trust quickly, maintaining structure under pressure, and following through.
I later earned an M.S. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Purdue University. After transitioning to civilian leadership across finance, construction, and tech, I recognized that most organizations accidentally work against the very psychological principles that drive engagement and retention.
Today, I work with leaders who sense something is off but can't name it. Using the ARC framework (Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence), I help them see where friction is building. I'm the author of The Missed Meeting and spend my time with family, coaching youth hockey, and volunteering at church.
