Talent Spotlight is a regular feature profiling Product Creation Studio’s talented team members. Are you interested in joining our team? View our open positions!

What led you to a career in product design and development?

As a kid, I was always curious how things worked and took many things apart. I also spent a lot of time creating things including an electrolysis device to accumulate free hydrogen, much to the chagrin of my mother. I studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington and did design & construction work on a human-powered aircraft and ground support equipment. Developing products for the medical device and heavy equipment industries has been a natural fit for me and is surprisingly similar. Safety, ergonomics, and regulatory compliance are always at the forefront.

What excites you most about your job?

The chance to help people solve problems is very rewarding. Our clients are working to improve the lives of their customers and end-users. I enjoy playing a part in that.

Describe your most rewarding work experience to date.

I have had the opportunity to work on several pediatric medical equipment projects including high-frequency ultrasound, premature infant warmers and jaundice (blue) lights, and neonatal brain monitoring and chilling for slowing the effects of brain damage caused by asphyxia during delivery. It is extremely rewarding knowing that the most vulnerable of patients and their affected families have had positive outcomes from these products. 

What is something about you people would be surprised to know?

I’m a big Mars Exploration and Colonization advocate. I attended the founding convention of the Mars Society in Colorado and have run MarsNews.com with the Executive Director of the Mars Society, James Burk, ever since. I volunteered at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida showing the public the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), a Mars analog habitation module. The MDRS is now deployed in the Utah desert and is used for ongoing mission simulations and exploration research.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned in the last five years?

Truly listening not just to hear or acknowledge, but to understand. Whether I’m working with a client, volunteering in my community, or spending time with my family, listening for understanding allows breakthroughs in innovations, product development success, and relationships.