Mastering Engineering Leadership

In this episode, I speak with Ben Roehrs, an integrated circuit design engineer for the Molecular Imaging division of Siemens Healthineers.

Ben was inspired to pursue electrical engineering by his uncle, an engineer at Boeing. His academic path included co-op experience at BMW, a self-initiated international internship in Germany, and a master’s degree that led to a technical role at Siemens Molecular Imaging.

In our leadership segment, Ben talks about how he found himself in a complex international collaboration where his team risked losing credibility. Without formal authority, he stepped up to fill a leadership vacuum by improving communication, documentation, and team responsiveness—ultimately salvaging the partnership and raising team standards.

Ben shares that leadership without positional authority relies on influence, emotional intelligence, and initiative. He advises early-career engineers to develop patience, refine communication, and embrace opportunities to lead by example before seeking formal titles.

Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/

In this episode, I speak with Bob Colwick an electrical engineer with the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Bob's fascination with puzzles and unseen forces led him to study electrical engineering. Inspired by a mentor during undergrad, he added an MBA to his technical toolkit, enabling him to lead effectively across utility operations, first in power distribution, and now in generation at TVA.

Bob discusses how, when faced with a delayed project, his emotional self-regulation and trust-based relationship with his team member helped him uncover a personal issue affecting performance.

Rather than solve the problem technically, he created space for empathy, which led the team member to resolve the situation independently. Bob advises engineers to recognize that leadership is not simply engineering for people. It's a different skill set that requires emotional intelligence, humility, and constant adaptation. He encourages engineers to cultivate trust, read widely, and develop the ability to ask the question behind the question.

Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/

In this episode, I speak with Mike Stone, a retired chemical engineer whose career responsibilities progressed from production engineer to vice president with many stops along the way.

Mike began his engineering path inspired by older cousins working in chemical engineering and driven by a desire to escape farm work. He earned his engineering degree from UT and built a diverse career spanning multiple chemical industries, eventually moving into business management and strategic planning.

Mike talks about how he was thrown into leadership early without formal training and how he initially struggled with managing people and navigating complex cultural dynamics. A pivotal moment came when he was sent to lead a newly acquired company under challenging circumstances without a proper handoff or leadership preparation.

In our advice segment, Mike stresses the importance of gaining early exposure to leadership, business, and financial literacy. His core message is, engineers must invest in themselves continuously to gain separation from their peers and approach their careers with a CEO mindset.

Mike provided a recommended reading list, which I will include in the show notes.

Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/

In this episode, I speak with Jeff Bohanan, founder and president of Protomet, a vertically integrated engineering and manufacturing company that specializes in precision metal components and systems for the marine industry and other demanding markets.

Jeff's fascination with science began with childhood magic shows, which fostered both his technical curiosity and public speaking skills. He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Tennessee and began his career at Y-12 during the Cold War before launching Protomet.

In our leadership segment, Jeff talks about how he led his company through two major crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and a recent marine industry downturn. He emphasized maintaining team morale, modeling resilience, and avoiding layoffs by playing the long game—demonstrating what he calls the “Four Cs” of leadership: Commitment, Courage, Capability, and Confidence.

Jeff encourages aspiring leaders to raise their hands early and often. He believes engineers already have the critical thinking and discipline needed for leadership—what’s missing is usually confidence, which only grows through experience and taking initiative.

Jeff is also a published author. His first book titled Don't Touch the Marshmallow, codifies Protomet’s core values and articulates five mindset shifts for personal and professional growth.

Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/ .

In this episode, I speak with Giacomo Mascillaro, Vice President at Konversant, a technology-based Professional Services Firm, where he advises organizations on leveraging AI to modernize operations, strengthen cybersecurity, and fuel business growth.

Giacomo's path started with a mechanical engineering degree but evolved into IT consulting, cloud strategy, and cybersecurity leadership. He built his career on curiosity, adaptability, and a lifelong commitment to learning.

In our leadership segment, Giacomo talks about how, six weeks into a new role, he was thrust into crisis leadership when a cybersecurity breach hit just before Christmas. Despite illness and limited resources, he led a rapid response and company-wide transformation through calm, strategic communication and adaptable leadership.

Giacomo's advice to aspiring engineering leaders: lead yourself before you lead others. Build habits, sharpen communication, stay curious, and prepare for change through reflection and resilience. Giacomo stresses that great engineers build things. Great leaders build systems, people, and culture.

Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/

In this episode, I speak with Sharon Goh, Senior Director, Supply Chain Execution at Spinnaker SCA, a consultancy that builds agile supply chains to meet the demands of a complex, ever-changing world.

Sharon's path to engineering was guided by curiosity and serendipity—from wanting to be a journalist to choosing mechanical engineering to avoid programming. She built a successful career in supply chain, robotics, and product management, taking bold pivots, including working in South Korea and leading robotics teams at Amazon.

In our leadership segment, Sharon talks about how she effectively challenges organizational norms. Faced with rigid hiring constraints, Sharon defied traditional HR protocols to hire high-performing, non-degreed technical workers. By listening to her operational peers and backing her decisions with data, she created a new hiring model that delivered results and is still used today.

Sharon encourages engineers to embrace experimentation, take career risks, and lean into their uniqueness. She champions building meaningful networks and stresses the importance of showing up authentically, even in environments that may expect conformity.

Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/ .

In this episode, I speak with Dan Miller, Director for Innovation Crossroads, a US Department of Energy Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Dan grew up in a family of engineers and followed in his parents' footsteps, attending Kettering University. After starting his career in mechanical design, he pivoted into tech transfer through a dual MS MBA program at the University of Tennessee, eventually leading him to Oak Ridge National Lab.

In our leadership segment, Dan shared a compelling case of negotiating with multiple stakeholders to bring an entrepreneur into the Innovation Crossroads program. The challenge required listening deeply, aligning competing interests, and building consensus, skills he believes are essential for engineers stepping into leadership. 

Dan encourages aspiring engineering leaders to first master their craft, build reputations of follow-through, surround themselves with people they can learn from, and actively listen to understand what motivates others. 

Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/

In this episode, I speak with Anthony Andrews, senior manager at CMTS, a professional services firm specializing in project, program, and construction management.

Anthony Andrews began his path to engineering thanks to high school counselors who saw his math and science aptitude. He chose industrial engineering for its creative focus on systems and processes, and attended the University of Tennessee through a diversity-driven program. After early roles in manufacturing, layoffs prompted a reinvention that led him into project and program management in the construction and consulting sectors.

Anthony's leadership style evolved over time—from being the loudest voice in the room to becoming a thoughtful listener. He realized that effective leadership involves understanding others, facilitating growth, and embedding development into daily routines. His structured use of Harvard Business School articles in staff meetings exemplifies this approach.

He encourages aspiring leaders to connect with those further along the path—not necessarily as formal mentors but as sources of insight into what lies ahead. Understanding multiple leadership journeys allows you to anticipate key moments and craft your own path with greater clarity and empathy.

Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/

In this episode, I speak with Kris Meyer, Assistant Branch Manager at Barnhart Crane and Rigging, focusing on market development for Nuclear Small Modular Reactors.

Kris’s passion for how things work began in childhood—from sandbox tunnels to rebuilding cars. After earning a civil engineering degree from the University of Tennessee, he began his career at a small firm where he developed a broad skillset. He later transitioned to Barnhart Crane and Rigging, eventually moving from business development into a management role focused on technical and people leadership.

Kris’s toughest leadership growth came when shifting from a customer-focused, people-pleasing role to management. He had to learn that not everyone would be happy with his decisions, and that leadership required embracing discomfort, managing conflict, and prioritizing the big picture over individual satisfaction.

Kris advises engineers to stay curious, embrace risk, and “do what others won’t” to increase value. He emphasizes intentional networking, showing up consistently, and “earning the right to be heard” by building credibility through action and presence over time.

Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/

In this episode, I speak with Neil Thompson, founder of Teach the Geek, online public speaking resources, geared towards those in the technical fields.

Neil Thompson entered engineering because his father told him to pursue it, not out of personal passion. After earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering and briefly starting a Ph.D., he pivoted into medical device development and eventually launched his business, Teach the Geek, to help technical professionals improve their public speaking skills.

In our leadership segment, Neil talks about how he was thrown into a project lead role without formal authority, and had to learn how to influence a cross-functional team. Through structured communication, building relationships with functional managers, and focusing on helpfulness and clarity, he became an effective leader without direct power.

Neil urges aspiring engineering leaders to follow their own motivations rather than external expectations. He stresses the importance of planning career transitions carefully, building supportive communities, being willing to invest in yourself, and maintaining a strong focus on communication skills.

Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/