What was your background before joining Stroud?

My career began in a family business repairing industrial hydraulic equipment. I went on to complete degrees in Engineering Physics and Mathematics before transitioning to the aerospace industry. I received an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and led several joint research projects with NASA and the US Air Force, where I specialized in complex system optimization before joining Stroud in 2008.

What is a typical day for a Principal?

Overseeing engagements across the continent, leading a business practice grown from the ground up, building relationships with potential clients and coaching our people make each day a unique adventure. I could be on a production line taking slow-mo video, helping a team member on their next development milestone, re-sequencing a multi-$BN project’s schedule live, presenting new insights with an executive leadership team, introducing Stroud to a potential client, writing up the vision for a new value offering, meeting a CEO to compare notes on what’s next, or sometimes even making calls and drafting proposals from my home office. What really matters is the ability to take charge of my own professional destiny, which for me means rocking out at work, giving back through running a local non-profit, ever-stretching my musical abilities, staying fit with karate training and most importantly, being very present in my family’s lives.

In what ways have you developed professionally since joining?

I joined Stroud to learn the skills to run my own business. I didn’t bargain on learning so much about myself, my passions, and my blind spots. Sure I’ve gained light-years in terms of value creation, problem-solving, managing and strategic thinking. But I’ve also become a better listener, helper, friend, husband and father. Coming from a deeply technical research background, the open feedback culture and focus on soft skills has been invaluable in refining my own core values and setting a career path that matches my passions.

What have been your favourite moments on the job so far?

Hands down, my favourite thing about Stroud is working with our amazing people. Beyond that, there are too many favourite moments to name - opening the Calgary office, working in Paris, my first 10-digit result, winter fun weekends, singing with a client in concert, the 2019 cake decorating competition and a horse-drawn carriage race through the streets of Dublin come to mind.