Our Consultants

Caty Lockard

President of Lockard Strategic Advisors, LLC

Background: 

Caty recieved her degree from California Univeristy of Pennsylvania in 1991.  She taught in the Early Childhood areas for 7 years before going into full time consulting.  Since that time she has helped ensure that Pennsylvania day care centers are striving to exceed the state's minimum standards to maintain their certification.

President and co-founder of Lockard Strategic Advisors, LLC.  Caty has been consulting in the area of Early Childhood Education for 15 years.  Her focus is delivering developmentally appropriate practices for Earlly Childhood professionals across the State of Pennsylvania. She offers process and procedure analysis, teacher mentoring and recommendations for educators to enhance their techniques.

Notable achievements

•  15 years providing consulting support to the Pennsylvania State University "Better Kid Care" program
• Consultation for day care and early childhood providers throughout the state of Pennsylvania

Areas of expertise

• Early Childhood education
• Day care center compliance
• Process improvement
• Teacher coaching and mentoring
• Home school learning solutions and ideas
• Act 33 and 34 cleared

James (Jim) Lockard

Principal of Lockard Strategic Advisors, LLC

Background: 

James L. (Jim) Lockard is a certified Program Management Professional (PgMP); and Project Management Professional (PMP) with expertise in Operations leadership, Strategic direction, and Technology integration. Recently he has been a Program Manager and Strategic Consultant for Mission Critical Partners and L. R. Kimball where he led the sales, consulting and delivery facets for networks and technology.

He is creative and innovative and excels in the strategic and fundamental business operations practices to maximize return on investment. Jim is an excellent communicator with expertise in public speaking and writing. He is a catalyst focusing on initiatives that will enhance the delivery of services and increase the growth of the business.

He is a thought leader in the areas of Next Generation Networking and Organizational Leadership and is frequently quoted in media outlets, as well as highly sought after as a guest speaker at industry events.

Jim is a the Co-Chair of the National Number Association (NENA) Next Generation 9-1-1 Emergency Services IP Network Design (ESIND) technical sub committee and an active member of the Pittsburgh PMI chapter.

Before joining L. R. Kimball, he worked in several areas within telecommunications management and leadership. He has worked in fortune 500 companies and in startup ventures. Jim has worked on several high profile client engagements including the United States Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, NASDAQ, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Jim is a versatile contributor with a broad range of talents. In addition to his current PMP certification; Jim is certified as an Emergency Number Professional (ENP); ITIL foundations, and is certified in Agile project management through the PMI (PMI-ACP). Jim graduated summa cum laude with a Masters degree in Geography.   In addition he possesses several strengths including Achiever, Responsibility, Self Assurance, Learner, Futuristic, Strategic and Command. Jim has been recognized as an A player with a high level of determination, energy, and focus on success for the business first.

Jim is also a United States Army National Guard veteran serving time in the Infantry as an anti-tank gunner.  He has completed Toastmasters training and is currently an officer with the Knights of Columbus serving as Tresurer







Notable achievements

• Technical support on the USDOT NG9-1-1 Proof of Concept project while with L.R. Kimball
• Writing of procurment documentation for the ARDEC Regional Integrated Command Center project while with L.R. Kimball
• Program Management of Greater Harris County NG9-1-1 project involving Wireline and Wireless communications while with L.R. Kimball
• Program Management of Michigan State Police NG9-1-1 planning for technology, legislation and program development while with L.R. Kimball
• Program Management of Maryland State Police NG9-1-1 RFP development and evaluation while with L.R. Kimball
• Program Management support for Armstrong County, PA broadband network, radio network and new Emergency Operations Center implementation while with Mission Critical Partners
• Grant writing to support the State of West Virginia to optain the NTIA stimulus funds in excess of $300M while with L.R. Kimball
• Operational and Technical Support for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Bureau of 9-1-1 program while with L.R. Kimball and later with Mission Critical Partners



Areas of expertise

• Program Management
• Project and Portfolio Management
• Leadership
• Telecommunications
• Implementation oversight
• Technical strategy
• Organizational change
• Communications management
• Procurement
• Planning
• NG9-1-1
• Public Safety
• Team building
• Mentoring and Coaching
• Technical writing
• Standard Operating Procedures
• Risk Management
• Public Speaking
• Technology Integration
• Grant Writing