An executive with strong leadership, organizational, engineering disciplines,

systems thinking and business acumen skills.  Twenty-three years of

Chassis and Powertrain experience in automotive, both in product

development and manufacturing.  Strengths and experiences include:

 

• Strategic Planning and Execution  

• Product Management  

• Global Product Development  

• Budget Development and Delivery

• Engineering Disciplines

• Intellectual Property

• International Experience

• Change Management

• Cost Reduction and Downsizing

• Manufacturing

• Budget Management

 

EXPERIENCE

 

Jim Roberts Enterprises, LLC -Saint Joseph, Michigan

2012 - Present

Vice President

 

Jim Roberts Enterprises LLC is a privately held firm providing management consulting, business consulting, financial modeling, real estate portfolio consulting, facilities management consulting, and project management services.

 

• Led IT project to automate back office operations for financial reporting and billing coordination for a $30 million dollar portfolio.  This project reduced staff time needed by 75%.

• Responsible for marketing, client development and project delivery for consulting services.

 

 

Substitute Teacher and Math Tutor - Saint Joseph, Michigan

2007 – Present

 

Provide interim teaching and supervision for public school classrooms, focusing primarily on middle and high school math and science.  Provide one on one tutoring to improve homework and test scores as well as build self-confidence with math and school skills.

 

Visteon Corporation

1997 – 2007

 

Visteon Corporation is a $2.86 B global supplier of automotive systems, modules and components to international vehicle manufactures and the automotive aftermarket.

 

Director, ACH Steering Product Engineering

2005 – 2007

Led 120 engineers, designers and planners responsible for $500 million in steering products.  Responsible for product development, warranty and cost reduction efforts, testing, and design.

• Directed $17 Mils engineering organization responsible for gear systems and hydraulic pump programs.

• Improved warranty performance by 15% by instituting a strong focus on engineering disciplines.

• Developed a product engineering strategy that includes advance product development in Electronic Power Assist Steering.

• Delivered cost savings ideas of $25.7 Mils ($7.2 Mils over target).

• Led a major engineering relocation effort from Mexico to Dearborn for the Recirculating Ball Gear group during the implementation of ACH.

 

Director, Chassis NVH and Advance Technology

2001 – 2005

 

Led the global advance product strategy for the Chassis organization.  Managed the transition of the organization from a 2020 strategy focus to immediate business threats.  

Implemented a central Chassis NVH organization to optimize NVH knowledge across the entire organization.

• Led the characterization of the Chassis NVH strategy – defining deliverables, resources and organization structure.

• Awarded a three year advance engineering contract for the Steer by Wire project with General Motors.

• Delivered 10% budget efficiencies for three years.

 

Director, Integrated Chassis/Driveline Product Engineering

1999 – 2001

 

Led the definition and market strategy for a Chassis product that would integrate all major Chassis subsystems.

• Integrated brakes, steering, suspension and driveline systems.

• Led the total product development cycle for forward model and current/past driveline products:   propshafts, axles, power transfer units, and halfshafts.  Led the transition for downsizing the entire Chassis division.

 

Visteon Corporation - Koeln, Germany

1997 – 1999

 

Chief Engineer, Axle/Driveline and Chassis Engineering

Responsible for leadership of Chassis business in Europe.

• Led the team that designed and manufactured halfshafts, axles, propshafts, brake drums and brake rotors in Europe.

• Directed all areas of the business including engineering, manufacturing planning, purchasing and finance.

 

Ford Motor Company

1985 – 1997

 

Ford Motor Company is a $43.5B global producer of cars and trucks across six continents.

 

Senior Manager, Powertrain As Installed

1994 – 1997

Created/defined the Powertrain-As-Installed organization with the implementation of Ford 2000.  Defined roles, responsibilities and interfaces for the organization.  Led the team responsible for product development engineering for all front wheel drive as-installed systems:  throttle controls, speed control, engine mounts, purchased transmissions/engines, halfshafts, catalytic converters.

 

Manager, Brake Product Development

1991 – 1994

 

Led a team of engineers responsible for all current/past/future model brake hydraulic actuation as well as current/past for all passenger car foundation brake systems.

 

Product Engineer, Chassis Product Development

1985 – 1991

 

Brake product development engineer for the Taurus/Sable vehicles.  Developed the first anti-lock brake system to be implemented on the Taurus. Responsible for all testing and sign off of all new designs.  Exhaust Product engineer for Continental vehicle.  Responsible for the design and release of mufflers and catalytic converters.

 

EDUCATION

 

BS Mechanical Engineering, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 

IESE Leadership Development Program, Barcelona, Spain

Salaried Supervisor Institute

Leadership in Transition Program

Kettering University Curriculum Advisory Committee

Treasurer, 430 Homeowners Association