Our Team

Patrick is the owner of Blue Fire, working with a wide variety of companies over the last 13 years.  Projects ranged from program and project management, system implementations, payroll & HR operations consulting, and marketing strategy.  Before that, Patrick held executive level jobs at Microsoft in marketing, finance, and operations.  Patrick is also the founder of Golden Path Solutions, a company focused on connecting educators, students and employers for future workforce.

Kirsten is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP). She specializes in governance, strategic planning, and program and project management, bringing clarity and structure to high‑impact, first‑of‑their‑kind initiatives. She developed & authored a 20‑year New Product Development (NPD) process into a standardized, enterprise‑wide framework.  She also led of our client's largest initiatives in company history: the build of a new manufacturing facility in a country where the organization had never previously operated 

 Steve has over 35 years of experience in product development and program management in the off-highway manufacturing industry. Based in the United Kingdom, Steve has experience leading multi-disciplined, multi-location and international teams. Steve specializes in Program Management & Process Development for New Product Development, including product innovation, technology development and product cost and quality improvement initiatives. 

Ryan joined Blue Fire as a consulting partner at the end of 2022, bringing experience in development in business intelligence to the group.  Ryan developed business software and BI analytics with roles at Stoneridge Software, MCA Connect, and JDP Automation.  Ryan’s background is in understanding the technical elements of managing and showing data and how users interact with systems. In addition to helping organizations drive business intelligence and data analytics initiatives, Ryan also leverages those skills with all the projects that Blue Fire Consulting drives, giving clients real-time updates on how things are progressing. 

  With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in higher education and business consulting, Dr. Behl has cultivated a deep expertise in project management across technology, manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors. Currently serving as an Associate Professor of Operations and Project Management and a former Dean at Minnesota State University Moorhead, he has developed and led multiple academic programs & curriculum design initiatives. In his consulting practice, he leverages his extensive experience in project management to deliver tailored solutions that enhance operational efficiency and organizational effectiveness. 

 Brian brings more than 25 years of experience as a proven technology leader across multiple industries. He is recognized for his expertise in project and program management, process improvement, and channel development.  Brian’s leadership has been instrumental in building strong client partnerships and guiding cross-functional teams to drive innovation at organizations including Arctic IT, Intelligent InSites, and Microsoft His knowledge spans enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), and operational solutions. Based in Fargo, ND, Brian is passionate about helping organizations innovate and achieve lasting business impact. 

Chris is a Blue Fire Consulting Partner with a background that includes business consulting, project management, finance, marketing, teaching, and entrepreneurship. With over 25 years of professional experience, Chris excels at identifying and linking the tactical and strategic elements in complex business processes to improve professional relationships, optimize efficiency, and maximize both stakeholder and customer satisfaction.  Chris holds a BA in English from Thomas Edison State University and an MBA from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

 Kara is a Blue Fire Consulting Partner. She uses her creative and strategic skills to help organizations of all sizes develop differentiated value propositions, positioning, and meaningful brands as well as impactful inbound and outbound messaging.  After nearly 25 years with a global technology company, Kara now enjoys the challenge of helping a diverse clientele shape their unique narratives and bring them to life with authentic, compelling copy.