My Leadership Journey 🔑

After 20+ years in leadership, I discovered what truly transforms overwhelmed managers into confident leaders—and it's not what most training programs teach.

I learned this the hard way in 2008 when I hit a leadership wall that shook my confidence to the core. The turning point? Realizing that leadership isn't about knowing more, it's about implementing differently.

My journey started in wildlife management with degrees in Natural Resources Management (Colorado State University) and a Master of Arts in Biology (Miami University). My early professional journey led me from education ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park to statewide education coordinator for Colorado Parks and Wildlife to division chief for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. I've led teams, managed budgets, navigated organizational politics, and yes, made plenty of leadership mistakes along the way. Those mistakes taught me more than any textbook ever could.

When I left Arkansas to move home to western Colorado, I created the Leadership Locksmith System - a leadership development program combining bite-sized weekly lessons with targeted coaching to help you apply one leadership principle at a time to your actual work challenges. No overwhelming theory dumps. No unrealistic expectations. Just practical strategies you can implement immediately to build momentum and confidence.

Today, I'm a Certified Public Manager instructor for the Arkansas Public Administration Consortium at the University of Arkansas Little Rock, National Faculty for the Management Assistance Team of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and I partner with Clear Waters Consulting to help organizations reach their goals.

My mission is simple: help you become the confident, respected leader you're meant to be - without sacrificing your sanity or personal life in the process because everyone deserves a good boss.