The Bridge Builder
From Boeing Flight Lines to University Research Labs
Connecting 15+ years of aerospace industry experience with cutting-edge cybersecurity education research.
My unique journey from aircraft mechanic to research assistant demonstrates how industry experience can drive meaningful educational innovation.
Connect with MeWhy This Bridge Matters
Industry Reality
15+ years at Boeing taught me that safety-critical systems require both technical expertise and practical wisdom. Industrial environments demand solutions that work in real-world conditions, not just theoretical frameworks.
Academic Innovation
University of Idaho research allows me to systematically address workforce development challenges using evidence-based methodology while maintaining the practical perspective that industry experience provides.
Validated Results
Faculty designation as department PLC Subject Matter Expert, successful grant funding, and Idaho National Laboratory interest prove that industry-informed academic research creates genuine value.
Professional Journey: Aerospace to Academia
Boeing Foundation (2006-2022): Started as an aerospace mechanic working on 777X, 777, and KC-767 aircraft. Advanced to Materials Management & Transportation Manager, leading teams in implementing lean manufacturing principles and optimizing supply chain processes. This experience taught me how complex systems integration works in safety-critical environments where failure is not an option.
Transition Period (2022-2024): Moved to Daher as Special Process Quality Officer, implementing quality assurance for aerospace manufacturing while beginning cybersecurity education at North Idaho College. This period bridged my industry experience with academic preparation, allowing systematic reflection on how industry knowledge could inform educational approaches.
Research Phase (2025-Present): Undergraduate researcher at University of Idaho with competitive grant funding for PLC curriculum development. Faculty recognition as department Subject Matter Expert validates the value of industry-informed academic research. Currently building toward graduate studies while maintaining practical industry perspective.
Bridge Validation: Concrete Evidence
- Faculty Recognition: Designated Computer Science Department PLC Subject Matter Expert based on demonstrated competence and systematic approach to industrial automation education
- Research Funding: Recipient of competitive Summer 2025 Undergraduate Research Grant for Arduino Opta PLC curriculum development project
- Industry Interest: Idaho National Laboratory personnel expressed interest in curriculum for cybersecurity workforce development applications
- Academic Validation: Faculty approval for Fall 2025 pilot testing demonstrates educational rigor and practical applicability
- Institutional Integration: Computer Science Department requests permanent curriculum archiving as valuable institutional intellectual property
- Technical Innovation: Developed PLC-Bridge interface solving Linux-Windows compatibility barriers in industrial education
Education: Intentional Career Evolution
University of Washington (1992-1996): B.A.Sc. Aerospace Engineering - Provided foundational understanding of complex systems and safety-critical design principles that inform current cybersecurity research approach.
North Idaho College (2024-2026): A.S. Computer Science - Strategic preparation for cybersecurity focus while maintaining industry experience relevance. Enables systematic bridge between practical experience and academic methodology.
University of Idaho (2025-2028): B.S. Cybersecurity - Current focus with established research trajectory and faculty mentorship. Research spine identified for graduate school continuation in cybersecurity education methodology.
Technical Expertise: Industry-Informed Academic Skills
Industrial Systems
- PLC Programming (Ladder Logic, Structured Text)
- Industrial Control Systems (ICS)
- Safety-Critical System Design
- Quality Assurance Processes
- Lean Manufacturing Implementation
Cybersecurity Research
- Educational Curriculum Development
- Cross-Platform System Integration
- Research Methodology and Documentation
- Academic Writing and Presentation
- Grant Proposal Development
Development Tools
- C/C++ Programming
- Python (Educational Tools)
- Linux System Administration
- Version Control (Git/GitHub)
- Technical Documentation
Mission: Bridging Critical Gaps
Workforce Development Challenge: Cybersecurity professionals increasingly need industrial control systems knowledge to protect critical infrastructure, but traditional education creates barriers for non-electrical students.
My Unique Solution: Combine industry experience with academic rigor to create educational approaches that work in real-world contexts. Faculty recognize this perspective as valuable because it addresses practical implementation challenges that pure academic approaches might miss.
Graduate School Vision: Advance cybersecurity education methodology research while maintaining industry perspective. Goal is to systematically address workforce development challenges through evidence-based curriculum design and deployment strategies.
Personal Values: Purpose-Driven Professional Evolution
Family Motivation: Supporting a family of seven while pursuing education demonstrates commitment to creating meaningful change through systematic professional development. This journey models resilience and purposeful career evolution for my children.
Service Orientation: 15+ years ensuring aircraft safety translates naturally to protecting critical infrastructure through cybersecurity education. The core mission remains the same: systematic approaches to protecting people through reliable, secure systems.
Continuous Learning: Industry experience taught me that effective professionals never stop learning. Academic research provides structured approaches to addressing complex challenges while maintaining practical relevance and implementation focus.