About Ben

Howdy Friend!

I'm Ben Lobaugh, and I appreciate you stopping by to get to know me!

From a young age, I’ve had a passion for helping others succeed. Whether leading teams or mentoring individuals, I’ve always found joy in empowering people to grow. Leadership has come naturally to me- from my early days managing a fast food team at Arby’s (I still love their sandwiches, by the way!) to guiding engineering organizations through complex transformations.

Today, I bring over 20 years of experience leading cross-functional engineering teams, driving organizational growth, and aligning technology with business goals. I’m a Certified Leadership Coach with a track record of developing high-performing teams, mentoring managers, and creating scalable systems that deliver real business value. I thrive at the intersection of strategy, people, and technology.

Outside of work, you’ll likely find me sailing competitively, making music, volunteering with local non-profits, or spending time with my family.

Core Competencies

Engineering Leadership Development
Managing & Mentoring Managers
Organizational Growth & Change Management
Leadership Coaching & Team Empowerment
Strategic Technology Planning
E-commerce Optimization
Agile & DevOps Practices
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Technology Roadmap Execution

Experience

Leadership has come naturally to me- from my teenage years as a shift manager at Arby’s to consistently holding leadership roles in every organization I’ve been part of. Below is my current role. To explore more of my experience, you can download my resume or visit my LinkedIn profile.

Current Role

Director of Engineering - Mindsize

(Jun 2019 - Present) - Remote

I was recruited by Mindsize’s founders based on my proven track record of building high-performing teams and delivering exceptional client results. Under my leadership, the team experienced consistent growth while maintaining a commitment to delivering high-quality code and client satisfaction. Key achievements include:

Established Modern Development Processes: Implemented a comprehensive software development lifecycle (SDLC), including architectural reviews and best practices for production deployments, improving code quality and delivery consistency.
Clarified Roles & Expectations: Developed detailed job descriptions to eliminate role ambiguity, ensuring team alignment and streamlining hiring and onboarding processes.
Launched a Mentorship Program: Created a mentorship framework featuring one-on-one coaching and peer-to-peer collaboration, significantly enhancing project delivery timelines and fostering stronger client relationships.
Introduced Employee Recognition Initiatives: Designed and implemented a company-wide recognition program that boosted employee satisfaction and engagement across all departments.
Delivered Custom Client Solutions: Architected tailored solutions leveraging technologies like Node.js, React, PHP, SQL, AWS, GCP, microservices, and test-driven development, enabling scalable and innovative client offerings.
Standardized Hiring Processes: Designed a streamlined hiring strategy that improved candidate quality and alignment with company culture and technical needs.
Explored Emerging Technologies: Championed the adoption of innovative technologies, expanding service offerings and creating new opportunities for client success.

Accomplishments and Recognition

Certified Leadership Coach with the John Maxwell Team, specializing in leadership development and coaching for executives and teams.
Certified Scrum Master, with expertise in agile methodologies and team optimization to deliver high-quality products and services.
International Speaker at leading development conferences, sharing insights on leadership, technology, and team dynamics.
Named to the Top 100 Most Influential People in the WordPress Community (2015, 2016, 2017), recognized for contributions to the platform’s growth and adoption.
Recipient of the "Smooth As A Baby’s Bottom" Award, honored for maintaining composure and leadership under pressure.
Proficient Drummer and Aspiring Keyboardist, demonstrating creativity and discipline in both musical and professional pursuits.
Award-Winning Sailboat Racing Skipper, known for exceptional tactical insight and team training abilities, leading teams to success in competitive racing environments.

Client Portfolio

Below is a selection of the incredible companies I’ve had the privilege to work with in a professional capacity - spanning roles in technology architecture, team building, organizational growth, coaching, and mentorship.

Microsoft

Seattle Makers

USA National Parks Service

Warner Bros. Discovery

Uber

Precept

Paramount

VH1

CMT

Skype

Solarity Credit Union

NBA

Pond5

Central Market (H-E-B)

Output Inc.

Revitalash

Simpli.fi

Roofnest

Lobaugh's Dahlias

Federation of NW Dahlia Growers

Blue Jacket Yachts

Niche Watercraft

Whitacre Catamarans

Endorsements

It’s been a privilege to work alongside some incredible people over the years. Here are a few of the kind words they’ve shared about me.

“Ben is an incredible listener. He listens to the underlying conversations, and he has a very kind and generous way of getting at the things we aren't saying. Ben put our team at ease instantly; he was disarming and asked great questions that had us connect on a totally different level. Our team went into our time with Ben with all this unspoken conflict. We left our time with Ben so much lighter because we were able to talk about it in a constructive way. Ben's knowledge about how teams work and how human beings are wired helped us understand ourselves better and gave us context to address the things that weren't working.”

— Joy G. (Seattle Makers)

“I had the pleasure of working with Ben at WebDevStudios for nearly three years. He was instrumental in defining what leadership means at the company. He led by example to his team, colleagues, and clients. He guided engineers through many successful launches and supported many significant clients. There was no doubt that Ben was one of the fundamental reasons for the company's success. He also implemented growth calls to our regimen. On his own time and before the actual workday began, he gathered a group of willing individuals to talk about leadership and growth. He was a teacher and a confidant for many of us in those early morning hours. Together we learned what leadership meant and how we can share that message in everything we do. It was because of Ben's insistence and guidance that many of us have a new focus for our career paths. In my position, Ben was a lifeline. We discussed clients and their projects almost daily. I looked to him to educate me on complex development, and I used him as a sounding board for difficult client situations. He is an asset to any company and not to mention a genuine and kind soul.”

— Jodie Fiorenza

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Articles

I’ve shared insights on leadership, growth, and personal development through my blog and contributions around the web. Below is a selection of featured articles. For more, visit my full blog at ben.lobaugh.net

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Giving Back

Giving back is deeply personal to me. Throughout my life, I’ve been lifted by the generosity, wisdom, and support of others - and I carry that forward by doing the same. I love elevating those around me, sharing my experiences, and empowering people to grow into their potential. Whether it’s mentoring, volunteering, or offering a helping hand, I believe in using the blessings I’ve received to invest in others who may not have had the same opportunities.

Add: Freedom Projectz (uganda orphanage and college kids), World Vision (multiple sponsored children & fundraisers), Seattle GiveCamp (multiple positions)

Footloose Disabled Sailing

The mission of Footloose Sailing Association is to provide safe, accessible and rewarding sailing experiences to disabled members, their friends, families and caregivers. We teach sailing and seamanship, promote camaraderie, personal growth and increased independence to our participants. Footloose was started in 1991 as a 501 C-3 non-profit educational and charitable Washington State Corporation and is a chapter of Move United (Formerly: Disabled Sports USA).

Learn More about Footloose

Freedom Projectz

I have been involved with Freedom Projectz Uganda outreach since 2015. They work with schools, orphanages, and the community to provided educational and medical support. I have been priviledged to travel to Uganda with the team on five occassions and have developed deep relationships with people there. My family and I have supported more than a dozen students through primary school, and half a dozen through college.

Learn More about Freedom Projectz

Seattle GiveCamp

Seattle GiveCamp is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide pro-bono software development to Washington non-profits. Seattle GiveCamp hosts an annual weekend-long event where software development professionals, ranging from developers to designers to project managers, donate their time to provide solutions for nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2011, Seattle GiveCamp has provided services to over 150 local charities.

Learn More about Seattle GiveCamp

Pink Boat Regatta

We fuel smart research to develop new paths for breast cancer prevention and a cure. This turns cancer patients into survivors, buys precious time, and improves lives. We do this through sailing. Because that's what we do.

Learn More about Pink Boat Regatta

Contact Ben

You can contact me via email at: [email protected]

Or through my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blobaugh/

Get Coaching

What is Leadership Coaching?

Leadership coaching is a practical, one-on-one conversation designed to help you lead more effectively. It’s about stepping back, gaining perspective, and making clear decisions about how you show up as a leader.

We’ll work together to identify challenges, explore options, and build skills you can apply right away, whether that’s improving communication, handling tough situations, or leading your team with more confidence and clarity.

I work with a small number of leaders at a time to ensure each person gets the focus and support they need. If you’re interested in coaching, please fill out the form below with a brief description of what you’re looking for. I’ll review your information and get back to you to discuss next steps.

If you have specific questions, feel free to reach out directly.

Get Mentorship

Leadership Mentoring Program

Stepping into leadership comes with new challenges-managing people, making decisions, and finding your own leadership style. This mentorship program is designed to help newer leaders build confidence, develop essential skills, and navigate real-world situations with support and perspective.

Through regular check-ins and practical guidance, I’ll help you grow into the kind of leader your team needs.

Space is limited so I can give each leader the time and attention they deserve. If you’re interested, fill out the form below and tell me a bit about your situation.

If you have specific questions, feel free to reach out directly.