Work Experience:
SPACE Trailers Faribault, MN 2020-Present
Owner and CEO for a company that manufactures and sells lightweight sport utility trailers for outdoor enthusiasts
DIMATION INC. Burnsville, MN 2016-2019
President and Chief Operating Officer for a specialty electronics manufacaturing company
CONVENE PRO LLC and CREATIVE EDUCATIONAL CONCEPTS, Inc. Lexington, KY 2015-2016
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer for a full-service life sciences communications and logistics company and accredited medical education company
VISTAGE INTERNATIONAL, San Diego, CA 2014-2015
Group Chair, Lexington, KYServe as coach and mentor for CEOs and Business Owners to significantly improve decision making, leadership performance and business results. Lead and facilitate confidential Chief Executive and Key Executive advisory boards.
EXECUTIVE ADVISORY GROUP, LLC, Minneapolis, MN 2013-Present
Confidential advisor to CEOs, Business Owners and Senior Executives and Board Member. Provide industry expertise for aerospace and general industrial/manufacturing markets. Professional speaker on a multitude of topics such as doing business globally, strategic planning, objective deployment, M&A, leadership development and personal energy management among others.
GOODRICH CORPORATION, Charlotte, NC 1997-2012 (15 Years)
President, Burnsville, MN 2006-2012
Selected to lead a high performing business and to implement a double-digit growth strategy. This $1.2B business included nearly 4,000 employees across fifteen worldwide locations supporting all major aerospace and defense customers.
Relocated on an expatriate assignment to the United Kingdom to turn-around an underperforming business that was part of the 2002 acquisition of TRW Aeronautical Systems. The business included three UK, three French, two US and one Canadian operation(s) plus international JVs in Spain and Indonesia. Total revenues were ~$700M.
Assumed responsibility just after September 11, 2001 of an underperforming business that was a part of the 1997 acquisition of Coltec Industries. Performance to the largest customer (Boeing) necessitated involvement in weekly telecons with the head of Procurement and the Goodrich CEO. The business included union and non-union operations of five U.S. and two international facilities employing approximately 2,000 with revenues of ~$600M.
Promoted to VP/GM for the Wheel & Brake Repair & Overhaul business. Subsequently asked to assume responsibility for the underperforming Landing Gear Repair & Overhaul business for total Profit and Loss responsibility of over $150 million. The business included seven U.S. and five international facilities; one in Australia, two in Canada, two in the U.K. and a Joint Venture in Hong Kong.
Was initially recruited to establish a new role as Director of Marketing responsible for all marketing activities for the Component Services Division consisting of five separate MRO business units including Landing Gear, Wheels and Brakes, Airframe Components, Instruments/Avionics and Nacelle systems. In less than one year, was promoted to Director of Operations for the U.S. Wheel & Brakes Services business unit with annual revenues of almost $70 million and seven autonomous service centers.
MICHELIN TIRE CORPORATION 1990-1997 (7 years)
Sales representative to Marketing and Sales Director
Recruited out of the military as the Western U.S. Sales Representative for the Aircraft Tire Division. Almost immediately (in less than 9 months) promoted to Plant Manager for the Los Angeles Aircraft tire re-treading facility. Relocated in 1992 to the Aircraft Tire Division corporate headquarters to establish a new role as Marketing Manager with responsibility for market forecasting, pricing and financial analysis. Served as liaison with the worldwide marketing group in France and coordinated the efforts of a national sales force and customer service representatives. Also served as sales representative to USAir. Subsequently promoted to Director, Marketing and Sales with regional responsibility for sales and customer service for the Americas and the Far East.
UNITED STATES ARMY 1983-1990 (7 years)
Aviation Officer
Commissioned in the U.S. Army as an Armor officer at Ft. Knox, KY. Honor Graduate (2nd in class) at flight school and then completed the AH-1 transition course before being assigned to Ft. Wainwright, AK. Served as Attack Helicopter platoon leader and Flight Operations Officer. Transferred to Ft. Ord, CA and served as Flight Operations officer, Assistant Battalion Operations Officer, Attack Helicopter Commander and Battalion Logistics Officer (S4). Served as Company Commander in Panama as part of the 7th ID Aviation Task Force.
Education:
The University of North Dakota
BSBA, Aviation Administration, 1979-1983 (Magna Cum Laude)
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
General Management Post Graduate Studies, 1995
Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Leadership Charlotte program
Charlotte, North Carolina, 1995
The Center for Creative Leadership
Leadership at the Peak, 2005
SPACE Trailers Faribault, MN 2020-Present
Owner and CEO for a company that manufactures and sells lightweight sport utility trailers for outdoor enthusiasts
DIMATION INC. Burnsville, MN 2016-2019
President and Chief Operating Officer for a specialty electronics manufacaturing company
CONVENE PRO LLC and CREATIVE EDUCATIONAL CONCEPTS, Inc. Lexington, KY 2015-2016
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer for a full-service life sciences communications and logistics company and accredited medical education company
VISTAGE INTERNATIONAL, San Diego, CA 2014-2015
Group Chair, Lexington, KYServe as coach and mentor for CEOs and Business Owners to significantly improve decision making, leadership performance and business results. Lead and facilitate confidential Chief Executive and Key Executive advisory boards.
EXECUTIVE ADVISORY GROUP, LLC, Minneapolis, MN 2013-Present
Confidential advisor to CEOs, Business Owners and Senior Executives and Board Member. Provide industry expertise for aerospace and general industrial/manufacturing markets. Professional speaker on a multitude of topics such as doing business globally, strategic planning, objective deployment, M&A, leadership development and personal energy management among others.
GOODRICH CORPORATION, Charlotte, NC 1997-2012 (15 Years)
President, Burnsville, MN 2006-2012
Selected to lead a high performing business and to implement a double-digit growth strategy. This $1.2B business included nearly 4,000 employees across fifteen worldwide locations supporting all major aerospace and defense customers.
- Grew revenues from ~$600M to ~$1.2B (~12% CAGR) over a six-year period in spite of flat sales in 2009 due to the economic crisis.
- Increased operating margins over 400 basis points through focused cost management and leveraging market positions.
- Completed acquisitions of three businesses including TEAC Aerospace Technologies (2008), Atlantic Inertial Systems (2009) which includes a Joint Venture (SSSL) in Amagasaki, Japan and a division of SAIC (2011) with a total investment capital expenditure in excess of $450M.
- Successfully implemented SAP for 75% of the business without significant impact on customers or financials.
Relocated on an expatriate assignment to the United Kingdom to turn-around an underperforming business that was part of the 2002 acquisition of TRW Aeronautical Systems. The business included three UK, three French, two US and one Canadian operation(s) plus international JVs in Spain and Indonesia. Total revenues were ~$700M.
- Recovered the Airbus A380 flight control new product introduction program through a total redesign of the motor drive electronics. Personally conducted numerous reviews and negotiations that saved over $25M in the cost of the redesign.
- Implemented an expansive continuous improvement program across all sites. Improved on-time delivery by ~50 percentage points and reduced cycle time of key products by over 100%.
Assumed responsibility just after September 11, 2001 of an underperforming business that was a part of the 1997 acquisition of Coltec Industries. Performance to the largest customer (Boeing) necessitated involvement in weekly telecons with the head of Procurement and the Goodrich CEO. The business included union and non-union operations of five U.S. and two international facilities employing approximately 2,000 with revenues of ~$600M.
- Led the dramatic improvement of delivery performance from ~30% to ~95% in less than one year for commercial and military programs to key customers.
- Successfully initiated the ~$350M A380 landing gear development, the first Airbus program for Goodrich.
Promoted to VP/GM for the Wheel & Brake Repair & Overhaul business. Subsequently asked to assume responsibility for the underperforming Landing Gear Repair & Overhaul business for total Profit and Loss responsibility of over $150 million. The business included seven U.S. and five international facilities; one in Australia, two in Canada, two in the U.K. and a Joint Venture in Hong Kong.
- Assumed position as Chairman of the Joint Venture in Hong Kong. Successfully negotiated a disputed agreement between the JV partners to avoid dissolution of the most profitable JV in the company.
- Conducted sweeping change within 90 days of assuming leadership of Landing Gear Services including an eight week intensive Kaikaku activity which dramatically improved operational performance from ~30% to 100%.
Was initially recruited to establish a new role as Director of Marketing responsible for all marketing activities for the Component Services Division consisting of five separate MRO business units including Landing Gear, Wheels and Brakes, Airframe Components, Instruments/Avionics and Nacelle systems. In less than one year, was promoted to Director of Operations for the U.S. Wheel & Brakes Services business unit with annual revenues of almost $70 million and seven autonomous service centers.
- Successfully led the Wheel & Brake Services operations through the relocation of the Los Angeles facility, a 13% increase in productivity, ISO9002 certification for all sites and the implementation of a new ERP system.
MICHELIN TIRE CORPORATION 1990-1997 (7 years)
Sales representative to Marketing and Sales Director
Recruited out of the military as the Western U.S. Sales Representative for the Aircraft Tire Division. Almost immediately (in less than 9 months) promoted to Plant Manager for the Los Angeles Aircraft tire re-treading facility. Relocated in 1992 to the Aircraft Tire Division corporate headquarters to establish a new role as Marketing Manager with responsibility for market forecasting, pricing and financial analysis. Served as liaison with the worldwide marketing group in France and coordinated the efforts of a national sales force and customer service representatives. Also served as sales representative to USAir. Subsequently promoted to Director, Marketing and Sales with regional responsibility for sales and customer service for the Americas and the Far East.
- Successfully closed the City of Industry, CA manufacturing facility and transferred operations to Kansas City, MO on schedule and under budget.
- Won significant fleet-wide aircraft tire contracts with key customers including Skywest Airlines, USAirways and the U.S. Air Force.
UNITED STATES ARMY 1983-1990 (7 years)
Aviation Officer
Commissioned in the U.S. Army as an Armor officer at Ft. Knox, KY. Honor Graduate (2nd in class) at flight school and then completed the AH-1 transition course before being assigned to Ft. Wainwright, AK. Served as Attack Helicopter platoon leader and Flight Operations Officer. Transferred to Ft. Ord, CA and served as Flight Operations officer, Assistant Battalion Operations Officer, Attack Helicopter Commander and Battalion Logistics Officer (S4). Served as Company Commander in Panama as part of the 7th ID Aviation Task Force.
- Hand picked to serve on the planning team that authored the TOP SECRET Army Airspace Command and Control (A2C2) plans for the liberation of the Republic of Panama.
- Subsequently deployed as Assistant Operations Officer for an elite Aviation Task Force of over 1,000 personnel and 115 helicopters and conducted successful combat flight missions in support of Operation Just Cause.
Education:
The University of North Dakota
BSBA, Aviation Administration, 1979-1983 (Magna Cum Laude)
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
General Management Post Graduate Studies, 1995
Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Leadership Charlotte program
Charlotte, North Carolina, 1995
The Center for Creative Leadership
Leadership at the Peak, 2005