People are sometimes surprised when they learn that my interests extend beyond engineering into snowboarding and ice racing. On the surface, they seem like completely different pursuits. One happens on a mountain, another on a frozen track, and the other takes place behind a computer or in design reviews.
The more time I have spent doing all three, the more I have realized they share the same foundation. Success comes from precision, control, preparation, and the ability to make good decisions when conditions are constantly changing.
Whether I am designing a complex aerospace system, carving down a snowboard course, or finding grip on an icy corner, I rely on many of the same habits. Those experiences have shaped how I approach challenges both professionally and personally.
Learning to Adapt on the Mountain
Growing up in Loveland, Colorado, I spent as much time outdoors as I could. Snowboarding quickly became more than just a hobby. I competed nationally and internationally in snowboard cross and rode with the Steamboat Springs snowboard team.
Snowboard cross is exciting because no two runs are exactly alike. The course may stay the same, but the snow conditions, weather, and competition are always changing. You can prepare extensively, but once you leave the starting gate, you have to adapt.
That taught me an important lesson at a young age. Preparation creates confidence, but flexibility creates success.
In engineering, I have found the same principle applies. You can build the best possible model or create a detailed project plan, but unexpected challenges always appear. The engineers who perform best are not the ones who avoid surprises. They are the ones who adjust without losing sight of the overall objective.
Precision Matters More Than Speed
Many people think competitive snowboarding is simply about going as fast as possible. Speed certainly matters, but control matters even more.
A racer who enters every turn too aggressively often loses momentum or makes mistakes that are difficult to recover from. The fastest run is usually the one with the fewest unnecessary corrections.
I have seen the same pattern throughout my engineering career. Whether working on modeling and simulation at Sandia National Laboratories or designing spacecraft at Lockheed Martin, rushing almost never improves the outcome.
Careful planning, thoughtful execution, and attention to detail usually produce better results than trying to move as quickly as possible.
That does not mean slowing down for the sake of slowing down. It means working efficiently while maintaining confidence that every decision is grounded in solid reasoning.
Ice Racing Demands Constant Awareness
Ice racing is another activity I enjoy because it rewards precision instead of brute force.
Driving on ice forces you to respect the limits of both the vehicle and the environment. Every steering input, throttle adjustment, and braking decision has consequences. Overcorrecting usually makes things worse.
One thing I enjoy about ice racing is that it teaches patience. You cannot force traction that does not exist. Instead, you have to understand the available grip and work within it.
Engineering often feels very similar.
Every project has limitations. There are constraints involving cost, schedule, materials, performance, and safety. Rather than fighting those realities, successful engineers learn to work within them while finding creative solutions.
Sometimes the smartest decision is not the most aggressive one. It is the one that keeps the entire system stable.
Systems Thinking Exists Everywhere
Throughout my career, I have become a strong believer in systems thinking. During my time at Sandia, and later while working on space vehicle design and eventually serving as Chief Engineer at Sierra Space, I learned that every component influences something else.
That way of thinking extends beyond engineering.
When snowboarding, your balance affects your line, your line affects your speed, and your speed influences every decision that follows.
In ice racing, tire grip, vehicle weight transfer, steering angle, and driver input all work together continuously.
None of these variables exist independently. The same is true in engineering. Every system is connected, and understanding those connections leads to better decisions.
Staying Calm Under Pressure
One lesson that snowboarding competitions and ice racing have reinforced is the importance of staying calm.
Pressure can either sharpen your focus or cloud your judgment. Over the years, I have learned that remaining calm often provides a competitive advantage.
That lesson carried directly into my engineering career.
Working on national security projects and aerospace systems means dealing with complicated problems where the stakes are high. Panicking never improves the outcome. Instead, you gather information, evaluate the situation carefully, and work through the problem one step at a time.
Confidence comes from preparation, not from pretending challenges do not exist.
Never Stop Learning
One thing I appreciate about all three pursuits is that there is always something new to learn.
Every snowboard season brings different conditions.
Every ice racing event teaches something about vehicle dynamics.
Every engineering project introduces new technical challenges and new opportunities to improve.
That constant learning is one of the reasons I enjoy engineering so much. Technology changes quickly, and every project presents a chance to build new knowledge. I have always believed that curiosity is one of the most valuable qualities an engineer can have.
Even after years working across national laboratories, aerospace companies, and now as a Mission Architect, I still find myself learning something new on every project.
Bringing Balance to Life
Outside of work, activities like snowboarding and ice racing help me maintain perspective. They remind me that improvement comes through consistent practice rather than perfection.
They also give me an opportunity to spend time with friends and family while continuing to challenge myself. As I prepare to become a father, I have been thinking even more about the importance of balance. Professional success is rewarding, but so is making time for the people and experiences that keep you grounded.
Those experiences often make me a better engineer because they encourage patience, adaptability, and thoughtful decision making.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I do not see snowboarding, ice racing, and engineering as separate parts of my life. I see them as different expressions of the same mindset.
Each one rewards preparation over shortcuts, precision over recklessness, and continuous learning over complacency.
Whether I am analyzing a complex engineering system, navigating a challenging snowboard course, or finding the right line on an icy track, the principles remain remarkably consistent. Success comes from understanding the environment, respecting the limits, and making deliberate decisions with confidence.
Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career, and they continue to shape how I approach every new challenge that comes my way.