Vice President & Corporate Officer-Research/Design/Development Engineering and Quality, Britax Childcare, Inc., 2006 to Present

Reporting to the President, leading a team of 35 and a $9M budget to drive industry leading innovation of child passenger safety products to serve the North American markets for the corporation. Additionally, lead the global homologation of R&D and technology development processes and practices to allow for international leverage of developed technologies, products or features. Directed the creation of a new product portfolio strategic plan to help grow the business by $30M in less than two years. Developed complete Advance Technology, Consumer Research and Design/Development Engineering capability which has produced global innovations in product design and engineering with significant product quality improvements reducing product quality related issues by more than 30% in a single year in the $100 million dollar division of the Britax Group.

Executive Director-Portfolio Management, Sea Ray Division, 2004 to 2006

Reporting to President, led team of 20 and $5M budget to transform organization and product portfolio. Redesigned and reorganized product development and engineering to speed product innovations and differentiation in the market. Guided strategic planning, market research, program and product portfolio management activities.

Strategic Program Director Advanced Product Development, HON Industries, Division of HNI, Inc. 2002 to 2004

Recruited to lead R&D and commercialization of innovative products and services for $2.1B leader in mass-market office furniture channel. Reporting to the CTO, drove new product designs through lean product development team of 20. Led organizational development initiative to drive integration of lean development and lean manufacturing teams.

HERMAN MILLER INC. - $2B Manufacturing and Design Leader For Office Furniture

Vice President, Engineering, Meridian Division, 1999 to 2002

With P&L responsibility for all operations, reported to the Division President of $700M unit. Managed team of 100+ and budget of $6M. Launched 15+ products and significant innovations. Reestablished Herman Miller as the industry leader in design innovations.

Director, Custom Product Development & Engineering, Tailored Product Solutions, 1996 to 1999

Promoted to General Manager for global product research and development. With a team of seven and $2M budget directed 350+ customer engagements. Developed and commercialized 45+ new product concepts.

EARLIER CAREER

Director HMI Europe – Research/Design and Program Manager – New Product Design and Development, Herman Miller, Inc.

Project Manager, Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering. Shaw/Walker Company.

Systems Engineer, Teledyne Brown Engineering.

Research Technician, Westinghouse Electric Corporation.

EDUCATION

MBA, Grand Valley State University. BS, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Purdue University.