Kevin Hsu
Vice President, Innovation

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

As Vice President of Innovation, Kevin manages the Research & Development and Structural divisions at Sterling. He originally joined Sterling as a Product Manager but swiftly transitioned into the role of Director of Research and Development, where he established and led a dynamic engineering team focused on product life extension, product development, technology research, and emerging market investigation. One of the markets his team investigated was the mass timber market. Over the last few years, Kevin has led the Structural division’s evolution from concept to the fastest-growing business within the company.

Kevin’s leadership style is centered on empowering his team. He believes 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 their line of work, where innovation is a constant necessity. Kevin emphasizes the importance of remaining open to new ideas and perpetually striving for improvement.

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

Kevin finds great appreciation for the dedicated and like-minded individuals within the Sterling team who embody a “let’s get it done” mentality. Their commitment to excellence and teamwork is truly commendable. Additionally, Kevin is grateful for the opportunities afforded to him to develop and grow divisions from their inception. It has been a rewarding journey, and he eagerly anticipates the promising future that lies ahead for Sterling.