@ Apple

Sr. Engineering Program Manager, iPod Hardware Engineering

2007 ... 2009

At Apple, I managed a team of Engineering Program Managers in the iPod Engineering department. We drove design, validation, and development of new iPod products; traveling to China regularly to prepare for launch.

During my tenure, I shipped two major iterations of the iPod Touch and iPod Classic. I also completed the majority of development work for their next iterations, both of which shipped shortly after I left Apple. The last product I worked on, the 7th generation iPod Classic, was the longest-running iPod on the market before it was discontinued in 2014.

Skills Critical for My Success

Strong, Clear Communication (Project schedules, status, etc.)

Presentations to Senior Leadership on a regular basis

Relationship Building & Cross-Functional Coordination

Facilitating Difficult Conversations w/ Partner Teams

Being able to "talk shop" with Engineers - Hardware or Software

Unshakeable Confidence leading builds in Chinese Factories

A Spirit of Curiosity - to Identify and Mitigate Risks and Issues

Large Research Budget Management

Reflections

My time at Apple was both unique and grueling. There is a special finesse required to deliver best-in-class hardware, and I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to learn from titans of the industry like Tony Fadell, many of whom went on to do amazing things with their careers after iPod. I was part of an organization that balanced fantastic engineering with strategic, to-the-minute planning and cross-functional collaboration that spanned teams, buildings, companies and entire oceans. We shipped innovative products due to passion, force of will, ingenuity, good humor, and some very very long, sleepless nights.

📱 📱 📱 📱 📱

TAKEAWAYS

My 2 years with Apple taught me many priceless lessons that sculpted who I am today.

The job held a lot of responsibility, which formed me into a confident, action-oriented leader. I am comfortable driving large teams that span timezones. I speak honestly, and vigilantly pay attention to tiny details that could mean the difference between success and failure. I was exposed to invaluable methods and approaches to business leadership that I've used again and again in my career.

Working on a product with such massive reach as the iPod, and being intimately exposed to the factory culture in China gave me insights into our planet's vast Global Economy and the complexities it raises when it comes to human rights, working conditions, and fair pay. It also taught me to stop over-thinking and just act. Pick up the phone and call the person. Walk to their desk. It takes a village, so get to know your village.

But most importantly, it gave me lifelong friendships, experiences I could never get at another job, and showed me in the end what mattered more in (my) life: my health and my family. I stepped away during perhaps the peak of iPod and iPhone innovation. Everyone thought I was foolish, but it was the exact right decision & timing, for me.

I am filled with nothing but gratitude for my experiences, growth, and friendships during this chapter of my career.