Cognitive Systems Engineering Leader | Naturalistic Decision Making Expert | Innovator in Expertise Management, Human-Centered Computing & Learning Assessment

Overview

Career built at the intersection of cognitive science, advanced decision research, and human-centered design, applying naturalistic methods to complex, high-stakes domains. Extensive leadership in developing analytic tools, cognitive engineering frameworks, and software systems that improve expertise capture, decision effectiveness, and mission-critical operations. Work spans federal agencies, defense research sponsors, major corporations, and academic institutions, producing influential publications and widely adopted methodological innovations. Known for advancing concept mapping, knowledge elicitation, and learning assessment technologies while building communities of practice that elevate scientific and professional standards.

Short Bio

Cognitive systems engineer and expertise management specialist with a deep record of contributions to naturalistic decision making, human-centered computing, and applied concept mapping. Developer of advanced learning assessment technologies, cognitive task analysis training programs, and influential research used across intelligence, healthcare, education, and industry. Author, educator, and community founder advancing the practice of macrocognitive engineering worldwide.

What I Bring

Proven leadership in designing cognitive and analytic tools for federal, defense, and intelligence organizations
Deep methodological expertise in macrocognition, naturalistic decision making, and cognitive task analysis
Strong capability translating complex human reasoning into actionable system designs and training programs
Established history building and scaling communities of practice across scientific and professional domains
High-impact research and publications influencing decision science, learning assessment, and human-centered design
Track record founding and guiding successful consulting and SaaS ventures
Advanced facilitation skills supporting knowledge elicitation, strategic planning, and innovation generation
Ability to integrate technical, organizational, and human factors perspectives to solve complex problems

Key Technologies & Product Expertise

Cognitive task analysis tools and frameworks
Concept mapping platforms and knowledge representation tools
Learning assessment and mental-model comparison technologies
UX wireframing and interface design for intelligence, healthcare, and autonomous systems
Clinical decision support technologies
Human factors methodologies for evaluation and formative/summative testing
Cognitive engineering toolkits for defense, intelligence, and operations research
Organizational learning and expertise-transfer systems

Titles Held

Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, Consulting LLC (2007–present)
Founder & President, Sero! Learning Assessments, Inc. (2017–2023)
Part-time Faculty, Kent State University (2012–present)
Technical Expert, YourEncore / Intellex (2012–2018)
Principal Scientist & Group Leader, Klein Associates / ARA (2000–2007; affiliation 2012–2013)
Senior Case Developer, National Center on Institutions and Alternatives (1997–2000)
Paralegal, Elenchus Inc. (1996–1997)
Naval Reservist (1990–1998)

Career Highlights

Co-founded consulting and research firm generating nearly $11M in revenue over 18 years
Launched NDM Association and co-authored seminal works shaping the naturalistic decision making field
Co-host of The NDM Podcast, expanding global engagement and applied decision research discourse
Published Darwin’s People and multiple influential volumes and journal articles in cognitive engineering
Designed software adopted within the U.S. Intelligence Community and autonomous helicopter interfaces fielded by the Department of Defense
Founded SaaS company delivering groundbreaking concept mapping–based learning assessment technology
Built organizational Expertise Management capabilities for leading corporations and government agencies
Originated international conference on Applied Concept Mapping and developed university-level curriculum in Expertise Management
Organized major global conferences including International Conference on NDM & Beyond Multiple Choice
Supported redesign of the White House Situation Room through applied cognitive systems research

Education & Professional Certifications

Master of Science, Sociology (Special Reference to New Religions & Deviant Behavior), London School of Economics, 1996
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (Minor: Religion), Miami University, 1995

Languages

English - Native

Impact

Advanced the global field of naturalistic decision making through foundational research, widely adopted methods, and high-impact publications that continue to influence cognitive engineering practice.
Delivered breakthrough expertise management, macrocognitive modeling, and decision-training frameworks implemented by Fortune 500 companies, defense sponsors, and federal agencies to improve mission performance, knowledge retention, and organizational resilience.
Engineered human-centered software systems—spanning intelligence analysis, healthcare decision support, autonomous aviation, and learning assessment—that fundamentally improved usability, analytic rigor, and operational effectiveness.
Built major professional communities and international conferences that strengthened cross-industry collaboration, accelerated methodological innovation, and shaped the future direction of cognitive systems engineering worldwide.