Kevin Hsu
Vice President, Innovation

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, followed by a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California. Before joining Sterling in November 2018, I owned and operated an educational consulting and student performance analytics business for over 12 years. Prior to that, I gained experience in project management at an educational software company in San Francisco. Additionally, I have a background in communication systems engineering, having worked for Hughes Space, now Boeing Space, in Los Angeles.

As VP of Innovation, I now manage the Research & Development and Structural divisions at Sterling.  I originally joined Sterling as a Product Manager but swiftly transitioned into the role of Director of Research and Development, where I established and led a dynamic engineering team focused on product life extension, product development, technology research, and emerging market investigation.  One of the markets we investigated was the mass timber market, and over the last few years, I’ve led the Structural division evolution from concept to the fastest-growing business within the company. 

As for my leadership style, I am a firm advocate for empowering my team. I believe in recruiting highly skilled and adaptable individuals and entrusting them with decision-making authority, providing ample resources to ensure their success. Creating a collaborative environment is paramount, particularly in our line of work, where innovation is a constant necessity. We must remain open to new ideas and perpetually strive for improvement.

This focus on improvement and innovation is why I believe Sterling is experiencing the growth that it is. Entering the structural CLT market marks an exciting venture for us, particularly due to our substantial production capacity and efficiency. By leveraging our volume and speed, we can deliver CLT at a significantly more competitive price point. The key lies in educating the industry on the intricacies of designing with our panels. Once this knowledge is disseminated, CLT becomes far more accessible. Moreover, CLT boasts numerous advantages, including sustainability and reduced carbon footprint. Sterling is poised to position CLT as a cost-competitive alternative to steel and concrete, while still offering these invaluable benefits. This presents a significant opportunity for us to expand our market reach.

This is ultimately why I love working for Sterling. I find great appreciation for the dedicated and like-minded individuals within our team who embody a “let’s get it done” mentality. Their commitment to excellence and teamwork is truly commendable. Additionally, I am grateful for the opportunities afforded to me to develop and grow divisions from their inception. It has been a rewarding journey, and I eagerly anticipate the promising future that lies ahead for Sterling.