We are a team of thinkers, designers, and builders. Independently, we have risen to the top of our fields in executive leadership, product innovation, and design. Collectively, we are Hard Yards.
Mark Pushinsky, President and Co-Founder
Formerly a Director of Product Management at Capital One, Mark led transformational, large-scale software development programs using Design Thinking and Agile best practices. As a Certified Scrum Trainer, Mark has trained thousands of people both in and out of software development including Naval Special Warfare. Mark routinely challenges teams and executives to embrace these new ways for working through assessment, strategic planning, and executive coaching. Mark holds an MBA from the Darden School of Business, an M.S. in the Management of Information Technology from University of Virginia, and a B.A. in Business Administration from The College of William and Mary.
JASON LAMB, Co-Founder
Jason founded Hard Yards in 2014 and served as a systems engineering technical advisor for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) while building the consulting practice. Prior to founding Hard Yards, Jason was a Vice President at The HumanGeo Group and a Product Manager at Ringtail Design. Both companies are software development and data visualization pioneers supporting national security agencies. Jason is a former Navy SEAL officer and brings more than 20 years of deep special operations and intelligence community expertise. He holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business with a focus on venture capital and entrepreneurial studies. Jason also earned an M.S. in the Management of Information Technology from the University of Virginia, an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and a B.S. in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy.
JIM KOCKLER, PRINCIPAL
Prior to joining The Hard Yards, Jim was a Senior Systems Engineer at Decisive Analytics Corporation where he led independent assessments of air-to-air and air-to-ground major defense acquisition programs. Jim is a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and weapons officer with more than 22 years of joint, multinational, and interagency experience. He holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and earned an M.S. in the Management of Information Technology from the University of Virginia. Additionally, Jim holds an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and two M.A.s (National Security and Strategic Studies and Operational Art and Science) from Air University. He earned his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.
DOUG ROSENBERG, AGILE COACH
Doug is an Agile Coach and Trainer at Hard Yards. Prior to joining the team, Doug led program teams through Agile transformations working for CapTech Consulting with major clients such as GE and Anthem Health. Doug has been in the Agile coaching and training space since 2005, having started as a developer, and then moving on to be a Scrum Master, Product Owner, and eventually Coach. Doug also spent three years designing interactive training and app content for mobile devices, for clients such as Comcast and Owens and Minor. Doug taught Agile classes for ASPE and still co-teaches with the Hard Yard’s own Mark Pushinsky any chance he gets. Doug has a B.S. in Computer Science from Longwood University.
Carolyn Pushinsky, Quartermaster
Carolyn is a retired health care professional most recently she was Director of Outsource Coding Services in the home health care industry. Many years of clinical experience led to years of Training and Consulting work to assist agencies to use technology resources to facilitate their practice and training implementations. In addition to many Home Health Coding-related Certifications and training, she has an MS in Healthcare Management as well as a BS in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh. Carolyn now provides administrative support for Hard Yards training and personnel initiatives.
April Jefferson, Agile Coach
April is a coach, collaboration facilitator, experience crafter, game creator, and international speaker. She adds value to the world by guiding the journey to nourish oneself with generative engagement — enjoying harmonizing mindsets, crafting applied learning experiences, and holding space both in-person and online. April is best known for the transformation and curation of spaces that keep people at the center. These experiences include Future of Work 24 Hours, Women in Agile Open, the five-part Growing Racial Equity Series for Black Lives, and with the clients she has engaged with. April has co-founded three active communities, sits on several boards, shared over 100 talks and workshops domestically and internationally. She is a mentor and ambassador of many professionals and youth. Love — diversity, equity, and inclusion is woven organically at the essence of every space and interaction of hers. April strives to embody the moniker “Soul Craftswoman”.
Soyoung Min, AGILE COACH
Soyoung holds a Masters in Teaching and is currently an Agile Coach at Hard Yards. Before Hard Yards, she was an educator in a public school setting. During her time as an educator, Soyoung supported new teams to collaborate and led staff developments during new product launches. She has also coached new and transitioning educators to implement reflective practices during instructional delivery. After coaching teams and collaborating across the school district, she became SCRUM certified. Now Soyoung is immersing herself in all things Agile by channeling the skills she’s gained as an educator and implementing them as an Agile Coach.
Tori Custer, Marketing Manager
Tori is the Marketing Manager at Hard Yards, bringing with her a diverse background and a passion for driving results. With experience as a Digital Marketing Intern and a background in Foreign Affairs and Media Studies from the University of Virginia, she has demonstrated strong leadership skills and a commitment to community engagement. Tori has also worked with government contracts at Mercury Consulting, represented individuals in legal cases at Forthright Legal, and executed successful campaigns as a Student Ambassador for the Virginia Film Festival. Now, at Hard Yards, she is excited to expand her marketing efforts and contribute to the company's growth.