About Dr. Steven Sierra Alcabes
Process Engineer Officer for the City of Midland, Texas. Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. Military veteran. Enlisted to officer. Two branches. One mission.
I solve operational problems from inside the system I'm trying to improve, sometimes with AI, always with discipline, and never without understanding the people first.
I co-founded CivAIgentics with my wife, Ann Sierra Alcabes, as a family business that pairs process engineering with human-systems strategy.
The one-person builder part matters because the engineering discipline is visible.See the technology evidence
The Journey
I spent nearly 18 years in uniform - Army CBRN, Air Force Public Health - learning that systems either work or people get hurt. There's no room for theater when the stakes are real.
Leading public health operations at Whiteman Air Force Base
My path to municipal transformation began not in a city hall, but in the demanding environments of military service. Across two branches of service, Army and Air Force, I learned that excellence in operations isn't optional when lives depend on your decisions.
During my Army service as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) officer, I transformed failing programs into benchmarks. My transition to the Air Force brought new challenges in public health leadership, managing medical operations for 280,000 beneficiaries.
In 2024, I made the deliberate choice to bring my expertise to local government. As Process Engineering Officer for the City of Midland, I've generated over $9 million in verified value. But numbers only tell part of the story. The real transformation came in building the city's first internal Lean Six Sigma program, now fully accredited by the Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC).
But the work I'm proudest of? Watching people I've trained go on to build great things on their own. Planting seeds that grow into fruitful trees matters more than any single win.
What Drives Me
Family First
Married to Ann, father of nine. Every innovation I pursue must pass the test: 'Will this make their community better?' Technology should strengthen families, not replace human connection.
Cultural Bridge
As someone who carries both Sierra and Alcabes surnames, I understand the importance of honoring diverse traditions. Bilingual, bicultural perspectives aren't nice-to-haves; they're essential for serving modern America.
Service Before Self
From military oath to public service, the mission always comes first. Every initiative must deliver measurable value. Flashy presentations mean nothing; verified results are everything.
Technology-Agnostic by Principle
I don't have a solution looking for problems. I start with your challenge and work backward to whatever actually solves it: custom builds, existing products, third-party tools, or sometimes just better processes. The goal is your success, not my sales.
Military Leadership
18 years of service (Army + Air Force). Enlisted-to-officer. Mission-first, systems-driven leadership.
Large-Scale Operational Command
Directed the largest AETC Public Health Flight, supporting 7 wings and 281K beneficiaries while overseeing $78M in public health and safety programs. Delivered $486K annual savings through TB process redesign and reduced unnecessary testing by 75%.
Strategic Mission Advisory
Led a 13-member team, managed 40 programs, 140 installation plans, and a $420K budget supporting the 509th Bomb Wing mission; trusted for senior-leader briefs and command coverage.
Crisis Response & Emergency Authority
Issued command-level public health guidance during evolving operational risk conditions (HPCON/COVID posture changes). Policy under pressure, directly applicable to municipal governance and emergency management.
Combat Arms Governance & Deployment
Maintained battalion CBRNE metrics at greater than 90% and created a model TACSOP adopted division-wide. Led a joint battle desk during deployment as Battle Captain for 275 personnel.
"Systems that work when I'm not there, built under pressure, proven in crisis."
Education & Credentials
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Strategic leadership and organizational transformation
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Public health systems and population health management
Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
CSSC-accredited program provider - White Belt through Black Belt. Texas's first accredited municipal LSS program.
Want to work together?
Let's discuss how we can bring operational excellence to your organization.