Dots and Bridges LLC

Kindly brief us about the company, its specialization, and the services it offers.

Dots and Bridges LLC serves as a unique nexus for “Connecting Dots and Building Bridges.” Applying a unique complement of creative methods, training, and workshops, rooted in the discovery and fostering of trusted relationships, wehelp our clients crystallize value proposition, differentiate brand/service offerings, enable opportunity capture, and fortify sustainable partnerships. And our YouTube channel seeks to humanize the thought-leading individuals that embody passion and purpose to serve a “greater good.”

Give a brief overview of your background and your role in the company.

I was fortunate to work inside the U.S. Federal Government for 25 years, starting my professional journey in the S. Department of Defense and finishing as a Senior Executive Service member. I served four Presidential Administrations, three Cabinet Agencies, the Executive Office of the President, and was honored to be appointed Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Education. Today, I am the Founder and CEO of Dots and Bridges LLC, continuing my passion for public-private collaboration, engendering thought-provoking dialogue addressing how Technology, Humanity, and Culture intersection, utilizing the power of Storytelling and Translation to highlight individual passion, celebrating disruptive and technological innovation, and, most importantly, conveying societal impact.

What were the past experiences, achievement or lessons that shaped your journey as a successful leader?

The journey has been, and continues to be, laced with astonishing insight, extraordinary bonds, and endless improvement. Every achievement, lesson learned, and/or challenge fuels the Dots and Bridges purpose; a mission committed to convening influential individuals from Government, Industry, Investors, and Academia; celebrating progressive thinking, entrepreneurial passion, and stimulating art-of-the-possible vision; creating connections, showcasing innovation, educating, informing, and enlightening anyone and everyone; and earning trust.

Kindly mention some of the primal challenges that you faced during the initial phase of your journey.

While technology is indeed a passion of mine, it is more about how technology, humanity, and culture converge to enhance resilient, sustainable, and secure critical infrastructure. And, most importantly, “Why It Matters!” Triaging this intersection requires constant explanation and distillation, and this is what continues to inspire the Dots and Bridges community of experts, storytellers, and change agents. My 30+ years leading several Cabinet-level and commercial entities fuels my passion for convening and collaborating across disparate stakeholder groups,e.g., Investors, Government, Industry, Non-Profit, Scientists, to unearth and stimulate transformative innovation while increasing private-sector commercialization.

Describe some of the vital attributes that every CEO should possess.

“CEO” can mean many things to many people. I view a CEO as an individual who shapes, leads, mentors, coaches, and learns. Specific attributes should include integrity, authenticity, humility, credibility, and curiosity. Dots and Bridges is in a constant state of evolution, and the walkabout has been nothing short of an exhilarating roller-coaster ride, filled with twists, turns, and loops that, ultimately, have served to inspire, learn from, and push forward. The key is to constantly reflect and ensure I am doing work that I love, with people I enjoy, and feeding my inquisitiveness. A key lesson learned is to accept that I cannot do it all, even if, at first, you must do just that. And I view roadblocks as teaching moments, which, in turn, may create a more efficient means of securing clients and growing revenue.

How do you innovate your products/solutions that appeal to your target audience?

It starts with being “present.” By that I mean, being cognizant of what is happening in the world, researching all pieces of information, and conducting the due diligence to understand the data. These processes comprise the Dots and Bridges DNA and allow us to surgically distinguish a Company’s value proposition, i.e. “what makes the Company special.” Our job is to align a Company’s exceptional capabilities with the “right” audience, so that the square peg fits in the square hole. It is paramount for the seller to understand the buyer’s problem in order to share HOW the pain point(s) can be addressed.

How are disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence/IoT/ Automation/Cloud Computing/Big Data/Robotics (You may mention any technology based on your focus area) impacting today’s innovation and how has the role of a leader has changed over the years?

Every technology offers promise. And every technology could expose risk. Risk mitigation and risk management are critically important when contemplating technology insertion. Technology is not the problem. The key is the integration (of technology). No silver bullet exists. Architecting, Investing, and Implementing are the triad that represent an “iron triangle” of sorts. It is incumbent on the Company to maintain an Enterprise Architecture, which, in turn, can reduce complexity, ensure compliance, and enable growth.

How do you see the company and the industry in the future ahead?

It is no secret that our “connected” world depends on technology and communications, both of which are in a persistent state of development. Businesses, large and small, require reliable, secure, and flexible infrastructure, i.e. Internet of Things, to collaborate across the globe. Navigating the myriad solutions and service providers is no small task, with the goal(s) being the alignment of business need with technology capability. Dots and Bridges is expanding its strategic consulting/advisory practice to include a suite of custom, timely, and relevant services including Specialized Event Facilitation/Moderation, Experiential Mentoring/Coaching, Targeted Networking Forums, Training/Workshops, and Heightened Brand Awareness/Marketing, all of which address digital transformation, supply-chain risk, and/or workforce development, particularly across the Smart and Secure Cities/Communities domain.

What is your advice for budding or emerging business leaders/executives?

  • Do what you love. Work with individuals that make you smarter. And serve a Greater Good. Spend time fostering trusted relationships, cultivate partnerships with like-minded individuals, and propagate a culture of passion. If you do this, then your efforts will catalyze sustainable revenue.