Empowering Teams and Driving Innovation: How I Can Help Your Company Succeed in Software Development

Leading with Passion and Results

With over 30 years in the tech industry, I’ve had the privilege of leading teams and driving innovation in high-growth SaaS environments. My journey from a .NET developer to Director of Software Development has been fueled by a passion for building high-performing teams, mentoring future leaders, and delivering results through cutting-edge technology. Throughout my career, I’ve embraced a servant leadership style that empowers my teams while staying deeply connected to the technical side of software development.

Servant Leadership: Empowering Teams for Success

At the heart of my leadership philosophy is servant leadership—a style that prioritizes the needs of the team and the individuals within it. By fostering a collaborative and supportive environment, I’ve helped diverse, cross-functional teams deliver high-impact solutions that meet business goals.

One example is my recent role as Director of Software Development at Hairpin Trucking, where I led the design and development of a cloud-based SaaS Transportation Management System. Through agile methodologies and a hands-on approach, we improved operational efficiency by 30%. This success was driven not just by technical solutions, but by ensuring that the team had the tools, support, and mentorship they needed to thrive.

Managing Multiple Teams and Projects with Measurable Results

Managing multiple teams and projects simultaneously requires not just leadership, but also a strong focus on results. At PwC, I worked with three teams totaling 37 developers, overseeing global software initiatives and improving performance by 40% through optimized CI/CD pipelines. By setting up clear goals and aligning teams with measurable outcomes, I ensured that every project stayed on track and delivered tangible value to the business.

I’ve found that measuring results is critical to long-term success. In every project, I set clear performance metrics—whether it’s improving code quality, reducing delivery times, or optimizing processes—that allow both teams and stakeholders to see the progress. This focus on metrics ensures that we’re not just getting work done, but we’re doing it in a way that aligns with business objectives and fosters continuous improvement.

Wearing Multiple Hats: Director, Architect, and Mentor

Leadership in software development often means stepping into different roles to support the team and ensure the success of a project. Whether acting as Senior Architect to design scalable systems or as a mentor guiding emerging leaders, I’ve always embraced the flexibility required to move between strategy and execution.

At Peak Agile Solutions, I led the design of a pioneering cloud-native SaaS solution for the transportation industry. Here, I worked closely with my team as both the architect and team leader, overseeing every step of the development process while mentoring developers in the best practices of modern software architecture. This hands-on approach ensures that I’m not only leading the team but also directly contributing to their growth and success.

Agile Leadership and Continuous Innovation

My deep expertise in Agile and Scrum methodologies has allowed me to drive innovation and efficiency across every project I’ve led. At Nelnet, I successfully transitioned legacy systems to a modern MVC/Angular framework with an AWS microservices architecture, reducing project timelines by 20%. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and regularly reviewing team processes through retrospectives, I ensure that every team is evolving and growing with each project.

I believe that continuous learning and innovation go hand in hand. Staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies is a cornerstone of my leadership style. Whether through courses on LinkedIn Learning, Pluralsight, or personal passion projects, I’m always honing my skills to stay ahead of the curve. This commitment to learning allows me to lead teams with confidence, knowing I can guide them through both technical challenges and strategic decisions.

Passion for Technology and Lifelong Learning

What keeps me excited about the industry is my passion for technology and the opportunity to continuously grow. In addition to leading teams and projects, I spend time on passion projects that keep my technical skills sharp and up to date. Whether it’s exploring new frameworks, experimenting with cloud technologies, or improving processes, I believe in leading by example.

I make it a priority to stay informed about what’s new and upcoming in the tech world. Through platforms like Pluralsight and LinkedIn Learning, I’ve earned over 300 badges in topics ranging from software architecture to servant leadership. This dedication to learning not only strengthens my own abilities but also helps me inspire and mentor my teams to continually push the boundaries of what we can achieve.

Conclusion: Leadership that Delivers Results and Drives Business Success

Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to building strong teams, driving innovation, and delivering measurable results through a combination of servant leadership and technical expertise. Whether leading multiple teams, architecting cutting-edge systems, or mentoring future leaders, my focus is always on aligning technology with business objectives to create lasting impact.

If your organization is looking for a leader who can empower teams, manage complex projects, and drive innovation with measurable success, I’d love the opportunity to connect. Let’s explore how my experience and passion for software development can help your company achieve its goals and shape the future of technology.