Developing Thought

I bring learning strategy to life through hands-on design and development.

I bring both perspectives: the L&D leader who builds the strategy and the instructional designer who develops the learning.

My work spans needs analysis, learning objectives, program design, content development, implementation, and evaluation. I create eLearning, instructor-led materials, structured OJT, assessments, and performance support around what people need to do on the job.

L&D LeadershipInstructional DesignContent DevelopmentPerformance Support

Selected Projects

See what I’ve designed and developed

Explore My Portfolio

Explore selected learning materials, assessment tools, job aids, and frameworks, along with the business need and design decisions behind each project.

Floorhand field training example from the position-based OJT program

Enterprise OJT Development Program

Role-based OJT materials, supervisor guidance, and performance verification designed around field tasks.

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Competency requirements mapped across workforce positions

Global Competency Assurance

Competency models and assessment tools connecting role expectations with development and workforce readiness.

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Training matrix organizing role-based requirements

Enterprise Training Standardization

Training matrices, role-based assignment rules, and reporting that put enterprise requirements into practice.

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Upper IBOP troubleshooting flowchart with branching decisions

Field Performance Support

Troubleshooting flowcharts, inspection checklists, and annotated job aids designed for use in the field.

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How I Can Help

Support for the challenges you’re working through

From a focused program to an enterprise learning system, I help connect strategy, design, and implementation.

Leadership Development

I build practical leadership experiences that help managers coach, communicate, and lead with confidence.

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Learning Strategy

I connect business priorities, workforce needs, and learning investments through a clear development roadmap.

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Training ROI

I define useful measures and reporting that connect learning activity with capability and business performance.

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Capability Development

I create competency frameworks, assessment processes, and development pathways around role expectations.

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Workforce Development

I design structured OJT, technical learning, and performance support for employees doing the work.

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AI Learning Integration

I help teams use AI thoughtfully in learning workflows, with clear expectations for human judgment and verification.

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My Approach

From business need to practical solution

Understand the need

I work with leaders and subject-matter experts to clarify what people need to do, where gaps exist, and what success should look like.

Build the right support

I design the combination of learning, practice, assessment, performance support, and systems that fits the work.

Measure and improve

I define meaningful measures, gather feedback, and use the evidence to refine the solution as needs change.

Your Consultant

Mark Grubb, Ed.D.

Education

  • Ed.D., Professional Leadership — University of Houston
  • M.Ed. — University of Houston
  • B.B.A. — Texas A&M University

I’m a learning and development leader with more than 20 years of experience designing, developing, and implementing programs for technical and non-technical audiences across energy, security, technology, and education.

I build learning functions, lead instructional designers and instructors, manage budgets, and partner with executive leadership and cross-functional teams. My approach combines servant leadership with practical learning strategy, talent development, competency assessment, and measurable business outcomes.

I also work hands-on: analyzing performance needs, developing curricula and blended learning, creating assessments and job aids, and connecting training with learning management systems and Power BI reporting. My authoring experience includes Articulate 360 (Rise and Storyline) and Adobe Captivate.

Current work

I currently maintain a consulting practice through Developing Thought LLC. My work as a Learning Analyst and Design Developer for an oil and gas client uses AI-assisted analysis of technical documentation, legacy training, and SME input to build a standards-aligned, competency-based field training framework. The end result will be eLearning modules as well as Field Training Guides to be used by SMEs to train field personnel.

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Selected leadership experience

Preferred Technologies : 2025–2026

Director, Security Integration Academy

I built and led the Security Integration Academy from the ground up, recruited instructional designers and technical instructors, and secured a $250,000 Texas training grant. I created new job titles and role levels that aligned competency expectations with clear career paths. I developed a competency assurance program with assessor training, role-specific competency requirements, scoring rubrics and benchmarks, and a centralized assessment database. The program assessed 120 technicians, while Power BI dashboards enabled analysis of skill gaps and workforce readiness across locations and positions. I also designed hands-on training labs and practical hiring evaluations to support technician development and hiring decisions.

Parker Wellbore : 2022–2025

Global Technical Training Manager

I led a cross-functional team of 10 and a global learning strategy for 2,500+ employees in 20+ countries. I designed and deployed 150+ training matrices covering 400 courses, aligning role-based requirements with global standards and local regulatory and operating needs. I integrated LMS assignments, mobile access, and Power BI dashboards to give leaders visibility into 50,000+ course completions and 70,000+ competency records. I also led competency assurance program design, assessor selection and training, development planning, and reassessments. I managed the global training budget and led IADC audit preparation and verification, supporting successful accreditation for eight field positions.

Patterson-UTI : 2011–2022

Learning and Development Manager

I led learning and development for a 6,000-employee organization and managed a team of curriculum developers. I designed online, classroom, and blended programs covering onboarding, leadership, equipment operation, and maintenance. I also led a multi-year OJT initiative for 3,000+ field employees across five core positions and more than 100 drilling rigs. Working with operations leaders and subject matter experts, I translated job requirements into structured field activities, mentor guidance, and manager-verified performance standards. I connected field tracking with electronic records and promotion requirements, then used surveys and reporting to refine the program. Post-rollout surveys showed that 78% of respondents rated the OJT program very or mostly beneficial.

Earlier roles included Virtual School Department Manager / Principal at Houston Independent School District (2006–2011), Product Manager at HCSS (2003–2005), and Campus Coordinator / Instructor at Academy 2000, Texas Tech University Extended Studies (2001–2003).

Let's talk

Share a few details about your organization's challenge, and I'll follow up to discuss how we can work together.