Meet the Team at HF Designworks

At HF Designworks, human factors isn't just our line of work—it's who we are. From pilots and designers to data-driven researchers, our team consists of diverse backgrounds and personalities, all inspired by a shared curiosity for how people and technologies interact.

We sat down with our team to talk about what sparked that curiosity, what they've learned throughout their time in the human factors industry, and a few other fun facts that might not necessarily be found in their bios.

Scott Scheff: CEO

As CEO, Scott brings 25+ years’ of experience in human factors, workload assessment, and system safety, shaped by time working in large corporate environments, start-up spaces, and for the past 20 years, HF Designworks. In our interview, Scott reflected on the importance of balance, a lesson reinforced by mentors earlier in his career: “Work is important. Work hard, but also play hard. Enjoy your life, enjoy your friends, enjoy your family.”

Aside from work, Scott enjoys his passions of trail running, cycling, and spending time with his family. 

Scott is also a fan of chocolate-covered gummy bears and a good 80s playlist: two things which can be enjoyed together or separate. At the end of our interview, Scott expressed enthusiasm for the work accomplished by the team and excitement for all the opportunities that lie ahead for HF Designworks.

Zane Denmon: AI Solutions Architect

Zane brings a creative and compassionate lens to the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human factors. Inspired by his father's experience in factory work, Zane is driven to design AI that improves jobs, rather than design AI to replace jobs. "My father… worked a blue collar job in a book press factory, working very repetitive [and labor-intensive] tasks that were unfulfilling for him," he reminisced. "My interest in human factors—and specifically as AI relates to human factors—is to automate those menial labor jobs, so that his job is not so much to conduct those individual menial tasks, but to manage over them and to make sure that the AI is working as effectively as possible."

That philosophy drives his work designing human-centered automation — systems that empower, not replace.

Outside of work, Zane channels his collector's spirit into InZane Collectibles, his own video game and trading card business. Also, as a self-proclaimed beach bum, Zane enjoys the sunshine whenever he can.

Janeen Sharma: Human Factors Engineer

Janeen's passion for accessibility extends beyond her work projects and 25+ years in the field—she also raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a hobby that perfectly reflects her love for accessibility and empathy in design.

“Two reasons why I started raising guide dogs for the blind: one is that I'm a human factors engineer, so I'm inherently interested in the accessibility that these dogs can provide to their clients. And secondly, because they're puppies!” And who doesn’t love puppies?

Janeen’s natural curiosity and empathy shines through her work. Her mindset when working with others, both patient and thoughtful, defines her approach to problem-solving. 

When Janeen isn’t designing for safety and inclusion, you'll find her listening to music ranging from alternative to hip-hop to country.

John Keller: Human Factors Engineer

With over 35 years’ experience in the field, John brings humor and heart to his human factors work. Reflecting on his own career, John shared a personal story from his early career: "Once I became a human factors engineer, my dad decided that anything that he couldn't use or that gave him trouble…was a bad design and used me as the example. It was really pretty funny, actually."

That eye for everyday usability drives John's approach to research and system evaluation. He keeps things grounded (and well-fueled) with donuts and coffee, balancing technical precision with his easygoing and oftentimes off-beat personality. When not solving complex challenges at work, you can find John skiing or rock climbing (or sometimes both).

Christine Arboleda: Human Factors Engineer

As the interviewer behind this video, Christine is the one who pulled out the stories, insights, and fun facts from the team. Her background in aviation shapes much of her human factors work—a passion that traces back to the adrenaline rush of landing an airplane for the first time as a teenager. She’s always been fascinated by how human factors stretches across so many domains, from high-stakes systems like air traffic control interfaces, to everyday annoyances like shower controls that all work differently.

At HF Designworks, Christine is known for her clear writing and structured approach to projects. Music is a given during work sessions, and her desk usually includes at least one tray of colorful D&D dice and her pet cat. When she’s not working, Christine can usually be found testing new recipes or working on a craft project.

Linnea Holm: Human Factors Engineer

Linnea finds elegance in simple, effective solutions where something as simple as color, contrast, or layout can meaningfully influence human behavior. She gave the example of painting bike lines a contrasting color to make the street appear narrower, naturally prompting drivers to slow down and ultimately improving safety.

It's that kind of practical creativity that defines her work in human factors. 

She's also a lover of art and nature, often inspired by photography trips through national parks including Yellowstone and Glacier. 

Her usual workspace soundtrack is Howard Shore's Lord of the Rings score — the perfect fuel for focused design.

Tristan Plank: Director of UX & Product Design

With a sharp eye for design and a curiosity for how people interact with systems, Tristan leads the UX and product design practice at HF Designworks. Tristan’s approach to design is rooted in curiosity and constant learning, as exemplified by his advice given to anyone entering the field:

"As far as real world human factors issues, they're everywhere," he quips—even in something as simple as a pull handle on a push door. 

When Tristan is not designing web applications, conducting workflow analyses, or tidying up reports and presentations, he can be found listening to the Interstellar soundtrack, snacking on granola bars while DIY'ing home repairs, and spending time with his family.

Dennis Williams: Software Engineer

A lifelong learner, Dennis approaches human factors with curiosity and humility. When asked what advice he would give to anyone entering the field: “I think one of the really interesting things about this field is that whenever you go into any given career, you kind of hope and expect that you will already have the answers. But the interesting thing about human factors is it's a kind of a consistent learning. The main skill you're going to have is finding what the best solution is to get better answers.”

Between Spanish lessons, board games, strong coffee, and a steady supply of pistachios, Dennis thrives on the balance of detail and discovery.

Davis Steiner: Program Manager

Davis tends to work on our aviation-focused projects, often bridging business development with project management and supporting systems engineering efforts across the company. Davis’s love for aviation started young and grew during his time in the Marine Corps. 

“Growing up, I used to make small models and I had little replicas of all the most famous planes. So, the F-16 or the F-35, the SR71 Blackbird," he recounted. "When I finally saw an opportunity to jump into the world of aviation, and my passion being engineering, I jumped on it, and it's been a fantastic experience.”

That passion evolved into a career at the intersection of aviation and human factors, where precision meets creativity. Whether he's tuning into house music to get in the zone or reflecting on his past travels through Alaska's breathtaking landscapes, Davis brings an explorer's mindset to everything he does.

Closing Thoughts

Every engineer, designer, and researcher at HF Designworks brings their own story, skillset, and curiosity to the table. Together, they make technology safer, smarter, and — most importantly — more human.

Linnea said it best, and the rest of the team at HF Designworks agrees: “Human factors is important... get it involved early and often."

We hope you stay tuned for what we have in store.