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Stephen E. Lagerberg, Ph.D.

Elevating Human Performance in High-Stakes Environments.

Mental Altitude Consulting LLC provides performance psychology, leadership development, resilience, human-factors, and high-pressure decision-making training for aviation, military, public-safety, and corporate organizations.

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Decision Support Suite

Cognitive Radar

Clinical-grade burnout tracking and cognitive exhaustion analytics for high-tempo operations.

Launch Dashboard

Shift & Rest Optimizer

Circadian-aware rostering and cognitive recovery planning tool designed for shift-work environments.

Launch Optimizer

Operational Tempo Optimizer

Dynamic watch-bill generation for high-intensity operational environments.

Launch Optimizer

Core Consulting Expertise

Organizational Resilience

  • Safety culture and communication
  • Stress and fatigue-management training
  • Resilience and critical-incident preparation

Targeted Workshops

  • Aviation human factors integration
  • Training for air traffic controllers & pilots
  • Specialized workshops for management teams & airport personnel

Individual & Team Development

  • Performance under pressure
  • Leadership and team development
  • Executive and professional coaching

About Dr. Stephen E. Lagerberg

I specialize in the most critical variable of any complex system: human performance under pressure.

I hold a Ph.D. in General Psychology with an emphasis in Performance Psychology, but my expertise was not solely built in a classroom. It was forged in zero-margin environments. Serving over a decade as a U.S. Navy Air Traffic Controller and currently directing complex airspace as an Air Traffic Manager, I have spent my career managing intense cognitive load and mitigating operational fatigue where split-second decisions matter most.

I combine this boots-on-the-ground operational experience with rigorous academic science. As an Adjunct Professor teaching Cognitive Neuroscience and Sports Psychology, I translate the latest research into actionable, battle-tested strategies for my consulting clients.

Whether I am helping an aerospace organization integrate AI safely into their workflows, or providing performance psychology for high-stakes teams to help an operations executive prevent organizational burnout, my goal is the same: to protect your human capital, eliminate mental friction, and sustain elite output when failure is not an option.

Credentials & Publications

Academic Background

Ph.D. in General Psychology
Emphasis in Performance Psychology
Grand Canyon University (2021)

Adjunct Professor teaching Cognitive Neuroscience, Sports Psychology, Lifespan Development, and Leadership.

Key Publications

Air Traffic Controller Health and Well-Being (2023)

A Descriptive Study of Burnout in Military Air Traffic Controllers (2021)

Professional Affiliations

American Psychological Association (APA)

  • Division 19: Military Psychology
  • Division 47: Performance Psychology
  • Division 1: General Psychology

Modern Technology & AI Integration

Integrating the latest in Generative AI and UX Design to streamline workflows, enhance human-computer interaction, and maximize organizational productivity.

Ready to Elevate Your Team?

Let us connect to discuss how Mental Altitude Consulting LLC can help you optimize human performance, safety, and leadership.

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Prefer a direct inquiry? or call (361) 343-6278.

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