My Story
James "JR" Lyda
As a 30-year military veteran, I dedicated my entire professional life to developing the next generation of leaders, assembling successful teams, and building growth opportunities for members at every level. I spent years as the executive advisor to numerous senior leaders in the military and have studied under some of the greatest minds.
In 2021, I created Guidon Leadership to help me share this knowledge and my experiences with corporate teams. I do this through dynamic presentations utilizing unique storytelling to help business teams improve leadership skills, reinforce culture, boost retention, and build happier motivated people.
Meet the Team
Patricia Lyda
23-Years USAF
Patricia is the backbone of Guidon Leadership and has been here from the very beginning. She grew up in a military household, served 23-years of active duty, 2-years of Government Service, and 15-years as a military spouse...she brings an entire lifetime of military experience to the Guidon Leadership team.
Scott Shrier
28-Years USAF
Scott led Airmen into hostile and uncertain environments, developing and identifying future leaders, providing strategic and operational advice to senior leaders; ensuring the health, morale, and welfare of the force. He has dedicated his life to the study of leadership and developing those around him to be better; earlier than himself.
Jennifer Rickmers
Major, USAF
Jennifer is an officer in the United States Air Force with executive experience in Air Force flying squadrons, operational command centers, and personnel headquarters. She currently leads a 66-person command section. She has developed leadership curriculum for military training programs around the world and now conducts classes, facilitiates small group sessions, and provides one-on-one coaching for Guidon Leadership.
Jennifer obtained her doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and is a Board Certified Coach and Key Performance Indicator Professional.
Steve Watts
25-Years USAF
Steve served at the executive and senior staff levels, and led over 1,200 members in executing national intelligence operations. The trademark of Steve's career was developing the nation's future leaders through mentorship and deliberate coaching. He focused heavily on leadership accountability, sound decision-making, risk management, effective communication, delegation, and developing organizational cultures and strategies to maximize small and large team outcomes.
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Steve is a graduate of the USAF Squadron Officer's School and holds master's degrees from the College of Naval Command and Staff and the Air Force's Air War College. He also earned a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a third master's in Business Administration from Webster University.