Dr. Tony Kern is the CEO of Convergent Performance; a small, veteran owned “think tank” formed in 2004 and dedicated to reducing human error and improving performance in high risk environments such as aviation, military, healthcare and fire fighting. Tony is one of the world’s leading authorities on human performance, has lectured on the subjects of applied human factors and performance improvement for nearly two decades, and is the author of seven books on the subject. His books include Flight Discipline, Darker Shades of Blue, and Blue Threat: Why to Err is Inhuman. In his newest book, Going Pro: The Deliberate Practice of Professionalism, Tony has created a 21st century guide to “extreme professionalism” for individuals and organizations to reach “Level III” professionalism in any environment. Tony is also a contributing editor for Vertical, Vertical 911 and Canadian Skies magazines.

Dr. Kern has deep operational roots as a Command Pilot and Flight Examiner in the B-1B bomber, as well as senior staff and leadership experience, including service as the Chair of the Air Force Human Factors Steering Group. Upon retirement from the Air Force in June of 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. He is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute and Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program.

Dr. Kern has received multiple awards for his work and holds Masters Degrees in Public Administration and Military History, as well as a Doctorate in Higher Education specializing in human factors training design. He enjoys hunting, fishing and flying, currently lives and works in Colorado, and has made it his personal mission to help everyone he can reach their full human performance potential.

Pat Daily, M.S., is a Managing Partner of Convergent Performance. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and holds degrees in astronautical and mechanical engineering. Mr. Daily was a fighter pilot and later a test pilot who assessed more than 50 different aircraft . He has managed technical support organizations with Six Sigma based systems for human space flight and served as a global CRM consultant bringing the aviation approach and applicable safety tools to large organizations across a wide range of industries. Prior to joining Convergent Performance, Pat was Director of Honeywell’s Defense and Space Electronic Systems Houston Engineering Center.

Christopher J. Lutat, B.S., is a graduate of the U. S. Coast Guard Academy and served the Coast Guard as a Search and Rescue Pilot and Instructor Pilot. He holds an Air Transport Pilot certificate and type ratings in several commercial aircraft. He has been a pioneer in bringing advanced technology procedures, interfaces, CRM and airmanship to organizations around the world. Mr. Lutat is a Captain and Instructor Pilot for a major global airline, operating wide-bodied, glass cockpit aircraft on world-wide routes.