In the pursuit of effective program management, organizations often sabotage their own success by making two critical errors: prioritizing technical or industry-specific experience over true project management expertise, and placing the project management function under the wrong department—most notably, sales. These missteps undermine the very foundation of the PM role, which is to lead cross-functional efforts and drive organizational coordination. Project managers, unlike technical specialists, excel in navigating complexity and unifying diverse teams without direct authority. When PMs are misaligned within the organization or hired for the wrong reasons, their potential is drastically diminished, often leading to poor outcomes and misplaced blame. Correcting these structural flaws is the first step toward realizing the true strategic value of project and program management.

Jonathan Oakman is a seasoned real estate executive and civic innovator whose career spans both public and private sectors, with a focus on transformative development and community impact. As Vice President of Development at Landmark Enterprises, he leads a diverse portfolio of projects from Class A industrial build-to-suits to adaptive reuse of historic properties, while also playing a central role in corporate strategy. With a background that includes launching a tax credit consultancy, managing city redevelopment initiatives, and structuring multimillion-dollar financing deals, Jonathan brings a unique blend of policy insight, financial expertise, and strategic vision to his work. His academic credentials from Princeton and Williams College, combined with years of board service and creative pursuits, reflect a well-rounded leader committed to building vibrant, sustainable communities.

Independent Validation and Verification (IV&V) plays a critical role in rescuing faltering projects by providing an objective, outside perspective focused on identifying systemic management deficiencies rather than assigning blame. Drawing on years of experience with both government and commercial entities, including roles as a legal expert witness, the IV&V examiner conducts confidential evaluations to uncover root causes of a project’s failure to meet its Objectives and Key Requirements (OKRs). Through structured, non-confrontational engagements with project leadership and teams, the process emphasizes constructive dialogue and organizational self-awareness. The ultimate goal is to offer leadership a clear roadmap for addressing project challenges—often involving strategic shifts in resources, personnel, or management expertise—to realign struggling initiatives with their intended outcomes.

I'm thrilled to share a deeper look into my professional journey. Over the past 28 years, I've had the privilege of leading and learning within the manufacturing sector—working alongside incredible teams, solving complex challenges, and helping organizations unlock their full potential. I'm passionate about building people and transforming companies from the inside out. Here is my biography.

Jerry Hill is a seasoned executive with over two decades of leadership spanning law, real estate development, construction, and public policy. As President and CEO of Calamar Construction & Development, he oversees a \$300 million national investment portfolio, directing all operational, financial, and strategic aspects of the business. His background includes high-impact roles in nonprofit and for-profit sectors, including landmark legal advocacy and complex project financing exceeding \$500 million. With a Juris Doctorate, multiple federal court admissions, and board service across health, hospitality, and development sectors, Jerry is a results-driven leader known for his legal acumen, strategic foresight, and commitment to operational excellence.

Wayne M. Poulsen is a visionary operations and technology executive known for transforming complex challenges into scalable solutions that drive efficiency and growth. With a career spanning high-impact roles in automation, engineering, and strategic leadership, he has led over $100 million in capital projects and introduced innovative technologies that have saved millions and optimized performance across Fortune 100 companies and startups alike. Wayne’s expertise lies in aligning technical innovation with business strategy—delivering measurable results through process automation, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative leadership.

I'm excited to share my professional journey, encompassing over 25 years of experience in operations management, IT strategy, and global project leadership across various industries. My passion lies in driving strategic transformation and fostering innovation within organizations. Here is my biography.

I’m excited to share my executive biography, which highlights the incredible journey I’ve had across industries, roles, and leadership challenges. From digital transformation to executive mentorship, I’ve built my career on empowering others and delivering meaningful results.

Bud Patterson is a seasoned executive and decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran with over five decades of leadership in construction, federal contracting, and entrepreneurial development. Known for transforming high-stakes concepts into profitable ventures, Bud has led multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects across combat zones, federal agencies, and private industry. With a rare blend of operational discipline, strategic vision, and real-world grit, he brings unmatched expertise in building organizations, executing mission-critical programs, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Nima Haghbin is a visionary operations and construction leader with a rare blend of hands-on field experience and forward-thinking technological insight. With more than 15 years of global expertise spanning large-scale infrastructure projects, cost consulting, and SaaS implementation, Nima has built a reputation for driving efficiency, innovation, and growth. Known for his empathetic leadership style and strategic mindset, he brings deep operational knowledge and a passion for helping organizations thrive in the evolving construction landscape.

After more than 50 years of designing and leading innovative warehousing and distribution systems, I’m proud to share a comprehensive look at my professional journey. From founding multiple consulting firms to managing nine-figure automation projects, it's been a rewarding path of engineering, leadership, and collaboration. Here is my biography.

After many years leading global SAP and digital transformation programs, I’ve taken time to reflect on my professional journey and where I can add the most value moving forward. From program recovery and AI-led strategy to board-level guidance and sustainability-driven change, I remain focused on delivering results with purpose. Here is my biography.

Dave Wiesner is a proven leader in aviation maintenance and defense logistics, with a distinguished career spanning senior roles in the U.S. Air Force and civilian federal service. As Deputy Director of the 58th Maintenance Group, he directs a workforce of over 900 personnel supporting multi-aircraft maintenance and training operations, while shaping strategic decisions that impact readiness across the Air Force. With advanced degrees, elite certifications, and Top Secret clearance, Dave has advised on nuclear and conventional weapons safety, implemented enterprise-wide process improvements, and led award-winning maintenance organizations. His depth of technical expertise, strategic foresight, and people-first leadership have earned him recognition as one of the Air Force’s most trusted and effective operational executives.

I'm proud to share a deeper look at my professional journey and values. With over two decades of experience in strategic operations, leadership, and organizational development across several industries, I’m excited to explore board opportunities where I can give back and continue to grow. Here is my biography.

Kevin Powers is a visionary technology executive known for blending strategic thinking with hands-on leadership to drive innovation, growth, and operational excellence. With a career spanning startups and Fortune 500 environments, he has consistently delivered high-impact results by aligning IT strategy with business objectives, transforming team cultures, and building scalable solutions that generate long-term value. His reputation as a trusted leader is grounded in his ability to foster collaboration, develop talent, and communicate with clarity across all levels of an organization.

After 33 years in operations leadership, I’ve had the privilege of leading transformative growth and building exceptional teams across the food and beverage, logistics, and manufacturing sectors. From lean innovation to international strategy, my journey has been guided by a passion for performance and people. Here is my biography.