After growing up on air force bases around the world, Karl Wiegers landed in Boise, Idaho, at age 11. He received a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois after which he worked for 18 years at Kodak in Rochester, NY, as a research scientist, software developer, software manager, and software process improvement leader. In 1997 he launched Process Impact, a software development consulting and training company with over 150 clients in all sizes and business domains. The author of seven popular books on software development and management, as well as over 180 articles on computing, chemistry, and military history, Karl has delivered more than 600 presentations, training classes, and webinars worldwide. In 2011, Karl wrote a memoir, Pearls from Sand: How Small Encounters Lead to Powerful Lessons, reflecting on how small encounters teach you life lessons and shape your values, how you think about yourself, and how you interact with others.