About ME
My background
I’ve spent more than twenty years building and leading workforce systems — from local programs serving a few hundred young adults to statewide transformation efforts touching 28 agencies and 200+ funding streams. The thread connecting all of it: turning policy and funding into real outcomes for people, employers, and communities.
Most recently, I served as the founding CEO of the Oklahoma Workforce Commission, where I authored the state’s five-year Workforce Transformation Plan and launched the performance frameworks, technology platforms, and industry partnerships to operationalize it. Before that, I built Workforce Mid-South from the ground up — standing up a new nonprofit to administer a $15M WIOA portfolio for the Greater Memphis region and securing an additional $60M in non-federal funding along the way. Earlier in my career, I led multi-site operations across Pennsylvania, Florida, Mississippi, and Hawaii, managing federal contracts, TANF and SNAP E&T programs, and disaster-recovery workforce efforts.
My approach
What I bring to client work is a rare combination of perspectives. I’ve sat in the CEO seat and in the project director seat. I’ve written the strategic plan and I’ve met the performance metrics. I’ve negotiated with governors’ offices and I’ve managed case managers. That range means I can help organizations at whatever altitude they need — whether that’s designing a system, fixing an operation, writing a proposal, or coaching a leader through a hard decision.
How I help clients:
- Workforce strategy & system design — building or redesigning workforce systems, WIOA administration, and inter-agency coordination frameworks
- Performance & accountability — designing scorecards, KPIs, and reporting infrastructure that shift organizations from activity-tracking to outcomes
- Board governance & strategic planning — supporting boards, executives, and elected officials through planning, transitions, and stakeholder alignment
- Funding strategy — grant writing, RFP response, and diversification beyond federal formula funds
- Executive coaching & interim leadership — for organizations in transition or standing up new entities