David Varnes

About David Varnes

I am a Principal with Press Ganey Associates, Strategic Consulting, where I partner with hospitals and health systems to measurably reduce patient and workforce harm. My work focuses on translating High Reliability concepts into practical leadership behaviors, system design, and operational execution that support staff engagement, anticipate risk, and sustain safety over time.My professional foundation was developed in high‑risk, high‑consequence environments where reliability is non‑negotiable. Prior to Press Ganey, I served on active duty in the U.S. Navy, including more than four years leading a large‑scale annual Navy experimentation event. In this role, I coordinated hundreds of civilian, contractor, and military personnel at peak execution and managed a combined annual budget exceeding $9 million, with a strong emphasis on operational discipline, risk mitigation, and cross‑functional coordination.Earlier in my Navy career, I served as Weapons Officer aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, where I was responsible for the safe movement and assembly of ordnance and the qualification of all watchstanders. I also bring over 14 years of flight experience in H‑3 and H‑46 Navy helicopters, with extensive expertise in Search and Rescue operations, NATOPS standardization, quality assurance, and aviation safety and operations leadership.Across these roles, I learned that reliability is not achieved through individual heroics, but through clear standards, disciplined systems, strong leadership behaviors, and psychological safety that allows teams to speak up and adapt.I hold a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, and I am an FAA‑certified commercial pilot licensed for single‑engine airplanes and helicopters with an instrument rating.Across healthcare, aviation, and military operations, my work is guided by a consistent belief: High Reliability is not a destination — it is a way of operating, and it provides the essential foundation for resilience, learning, and sustained safety performance.

Experience

1. Principal at Strategic Consulting

   Press Ganey

   Apr 2024 — Present · US

Education

• Purdue University

  BSEE, Electrical Engineering

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Short Course, (SEIPS) Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety

  2013 — 2013

• Aviation Safety Officer School

  Certification, Aviation Safety Officer School

  1999 — 1999

• Naval Postgraduate School

  MSAE, Aeronautical Engineering

Skills

• Leadership
• Patient Safety
• Aerospace Engineering
• Security Clearance
• Helicopters
• Dod
• Top Secret
• Program Management
• Flights
• Weapons
• Defense
• Human Error
• Team Building
• Organizational Leadership
• Military Experience
• Command
• Human Factors
• Sar
• Causal Analysis
• Military Aviation
• Operational Planning
• Performance Improvement
• Project Planning
• Leadership Development
• Navy
• Strategic Planning
• Military
• Healthcare
• Military Operations
• Crew Resource Management
• Team Leadership
• High Reliability
• Root Cause Analysis
• Safety
• Staff Development
• Reliability
• Quality Assurance
• Error Analysis
• Systems Engineering
• Government