IEEE/CN - January 2026 Meeting "Why Smart Teams Struggle to Ship"
Monday, January 12, 2026
5:30pm – 7:30 pm
SD IEEE Consultants' Network: January 2026 Meeting ("Home Base")
Why Smart Teams Struggle to Ship—
and How the Right-Sized Framework Unlocks Progress
Smart teams fail to deliver for two opposite reasons: some are buried under too much process, while others lack the structure needed to scale. In both cases, the result is the same—slow progress, misalignment, and frustration.
In this informative talk, David Lee Robie, Ph.D., author of The Right-Sized Framework (www.rightsizedframework.com), introduces the concept of right-sized systems: leadership, process, and execution calibrated to the real needs of the team. Drawing on experience across aerospace, defense, and advanced technology programs, Dave shows how leaders can recognize when to simplify—and when to add structure—to reduce drag, eliminate chaos, and create momentum. Attendees will leave with practical insight into how to find the right-sized balance that allows teams to execute with clarity, confidence, and accountability.
SPEAKER
David Lee Robie, Ph.D. is an entrepreneur, technology leader, and the author of The Right-Sized Framework. He has spent his career turning complex technology into real-world capability across government and industry. As CEO of Bolder Consulting Group, Dave helps organizations build strong partnerships, lead cross-functional teams, and bring innovative products to market—without unnecessary complexity.
Previously, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Innoflight and led a space and advanced programs division at General Atomics, where his teams delivered spacecraft and advanced systems for customers including NASA and the United States Space Force. Earlier in his career, he advised senior leaders at the Pentagon on emerging technologies and long-term innovation strategy.
Dr. Robie holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. In his work and writing, he focuses on helping technical leaders scale ideas into products by aligning people, process, and execution.
LOCATION:
Leucadia Pizza UTC / La Jolla
7748 Regents Rd
San Diego, CA
Cost: Free, but you are responsible for your own food/drinks/gratuity
Order at the counter
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Date and Time
Location
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- 7748 Regents Rd
- San Diego, California
- United States 92122
- Building: Leucadia Pizza UTC / La Jolla
- Click here for Map
- Starts 04 January 2026 08:00 AM UTC
- Ends 12 January 2026 06:00 PM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
David Robie of Bolder Consulting Group
Biography:
David Lee Robie, Ph.D. is an entrepreneur, technology leader, and the author of The Right-Sized Framework. He has spent his career turning complex technology into real-world capability across government and industry. As CEO of Bolder Consulting Group, Dave helps organizations build strong partnerships, lead cross-functional teams, and bring innovative products to market—without unnecessary complexity.
Previously, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Innoflight and led a space and advanced programs division at General Atomics, where his teams delivered spacecraft and advanced systems for customers including NASA and the United States Space Force. Earlier in his career, he advised senior leaders at the Pentagon on emerging technologies and long-term innovation strategy.
Dr. Robie holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. In his work and writing, he focuses on helping technical leaders scale ideas into products by aligning people, process, and execution.
Agenda
San Diego IEEE Consultants' Network Meeting:
5:30-6:00 Networking, food/drinks
6:00-6:15 "Round Robin" Intros; Announcements
6:15-7:00 Presentation
7:15-7:30+ Networking; Close
(NOTE: Happy hour pricing ends at 6pm)
We welcome newcomers and old faces we haven’t seen in a while.