Going Pro: The Deliberate Practice of Professionalism

Dr Tony Kern is the Founding Partner and CEO of Convergent Performance, LLC, a small business, veteran owned, think tank located in Colorado Springs Convergent Performance was formed in 2003, and is specifically dedicated to reducing human error and improving performance in high risk environments such as aviation, military operations, surgical teams, law enforcement, and firefighting Tony is one of the world s leading authorities on human performance in time constrained, error intolerant environments and has lectured on the subject around the globe for nearly two decades.Dr Kern has authored seven books on human performance, including the award winning Plane of Excellence trilogy Redefining Airmanship, Flight Discipline, and Darker Shades of Blue McGraw Hill 1995, 1997, 1999 Over the past five years, Dr Kern has broadened his approach beyond aviation In his latest Empowered Accountability series Blue Threat Why to Err is Inhuman and Going Pro The Deliberate Practice of Professionalism Pygmy Books 2009, 2011 he creates a 21st century guide to extreme professionalism for individuals and organizations while remaining true to themselves and growing where they are, with the resources at hand A prolific writer, Tony is also a featured columnist and Contributing Editor for Skies and Vertical 911 magazines In addition, Dr Kern has been interviewed regarding his Human Factors and Pilot Training methodologies by the Fox Business Network, Bloomberg TV, and the Los Angeles Times.Despite his numerous advanced degrees, Dr Kern does not consider himself an academic He has deep operational roots in the U.S Air Force as a Command Pilot and Flight Examiner in the B 1B bomber, as well as diverse senior staff and leadership experience, including service as the Chairman of the U.S Air Force Human Factors Steering Group Upon retirement from the Air Force in 2000, Dr Kern served as the National Aviation Director for the U.S Forest Service, where he directed the largest non military government aviation program in the world in support of federal wildland fire suppression Tony is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute and the U.S Federal Government Senior Executive Service Development Program.Dr Kern has received multiple awards for his research, program management, speaking, writing and leadership He holds Masters Degrees in Public Administration and Military History, as well as a Doctorate in Higher Education specializing in human factors training design Tony enjoys hunting, fishing, sports of all kinds, and writing.