David Thiermann

Hi! I’m David.

I’ve been helping people navigate the peaks and valleys of career transitions — and uncover the treasures hidden in their own particular mix of talents, interests and experience — since my idealistic youth in the late ’60s.

My journey as a consultant began in the bush of East Africa, where I learned something I still believe today: when people stop going through transitions, they stop growing.

Whether we meet over coffee in Santa Cruz, California, or through a screen halfway around the world, my goal is much the same: to help you understand what you have to offer, package your gifts, and find a path that brings you real satisfaction and joy.

  • "David always supports us in our success, always has ideas, suggestions... He's a great coach."

    — Frank Andrews, Ph.D., President, Board of Directors at the Institute for Applied Biomedicine

  • "David Thiermann has an unusual insight into the dilemmas faced by most mid-career persons in our society."

    — Paul M. Gahlinger, MD, PhD, MPH

  • "As a troubleshooter extraordinaire, David is certainly a person to provide useful input and expert guidance through life's moguls and rapids."

    — Greg Gates, M.D.

  • "The promotional counseling has been instrumental in changing my relationship to my clients... I now feel more at ease in the negotiation process."

    — Ralph H. Abraham, Professor of Mathematics

Now, I could tell you a lot more about myself.

But strangely enough, a Good Times reporter did a pretty good job of it back in 1991.

And yes, I’m about to ask you to read an actual newspaper article. A long one. From 1991. On the internet.

Bear with me.

This article has brought me more clients over the years than just about anything else I’ve done — which says something about the enduring power of the press, a trusted voice, and what can happen when you give a good writer a good story and let them work their magic.

More importantly, it captures who I am and how I work remarkably well, even decades later.

So, in defiance of virtually every rule of modern web design, here it is in its entirety.

As originally published in Santa Cruz’s Good Times, 1991…

  • "Working with David could be hazardous to the 'old' you."

    — Jane Findley

  • "He is the second person — the first is my mother — I've ever known that believed I could do anything."

    — Susan Gagnier

  • "Thank you, David, for opening the box and letting me out."

    — Jennifer Davis

  • "While working with David, 'the truth' stares you right in the eye."

    — Adam Rinde

It’s okay to go through transitions…

When people stop going through transitions, they stop growing.

GET IN TOUCH