Aaron Byers Email & Phone Number

Denver, Colorado, United States

Denver, Colorado, United States

Hiked the 2,193.1 mile Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine.

Savanna, Illinois, United States

Led the development, characterization, and qualification of new refrigeration systems to meet performance specifications and regulatory requirements on NPD projects from proof of concept to production using engineering tools such as DFMEA and DVP&R.Developed unique solutions to urgent market needs by creating proofs of concept using rapid prototyping to demonstrate the feasibility of new ideas for refrigerated products and other mechanical componentsSupported production of existing products by improving reliability, identifying cost savings opportunities, monitoring and increasing product performance, and identifying production process improvements using statistical methods such as T-Tests, ANOVA, Control Charts, and Gage Studies Developed new laboratory test procedures to improve metrics which define the customer experience. Researched and created requirements for natural refrigerant lab and product transition

Oak Brook, Il

In September of 2017 I was given the opportunity to manage Special Programs for Elkay’s rapidly growing Drinking Water Product Management Group. These Special Programs focused on new business models with external companies as well as investments, acquisitions, and joint ventures. The critical initiative that I succeeded in during this time was managing the due diligence process for an acquisition, and later managing this acquisition’s integration process by meeting with stakeholders across all business functions and tracking progress against the plan created during due diligence. This plan included task time, cost, and synergy goals to ensure success of our new acquisition. Managing an acquisition was a completely foreign concept for me but my success speaks volumes for how I’m able to adapt, plan, and succeed when the process appears ambiguous. During this time I also helped scope technical requirements for potential joint ventures and investment opportunities.

Oak Brook, Il

As a project manager at Elkay I worked to understand all facets and risks of a project, whether it was technical, logistical, financial, or legal. I worked with product managers to scope out potential new projects, understand resource and time commitments, develop project timelines, hold regular meetings with core team members, and track and report out on project progress. As projects evolved and hurdles develop, I was able to tap into Elkay resources at the right time to brainstorm solutions and risk mitigation plans to keep projects on time and on budget.I was able to leverage my previous experience as a Product Engineer on the majority of my projects which involved the New Product Implementation of internally manufactured products. However, I also managed projects involving the creation of new businesses and revenue models for Elkay. These types of projects revolved around understanding the way data is exchanged between various groups at Elkay, working heavily with our information technology team to adapt existing data infrastructure to handle new applications. Finally, I managed projects involving the sourcing of products from suppliers, acting as both a project manager and technical engineer where I developed Product Design Specifications which allowed us to quantify Product Management’s market requirements for new products.I also had the responsibility of following and maintaining our New Product Development Process. I ensured that all necessary project exercises are completed and documented, such as Design/Process FMEA exercises, DFM/DFA reviews, IP reviews, internal documentation processes, and the presentation of the project for Go/No-Go Gate reviews for CEA approval and final product release. As no two projects are alike, project managers regularly meet to discuss what we learned from our projects and how we could change our NPD process to maintain a nimble, flexible, yet comprehensive process that works for a wide variety of projects.

Lanark, Il

* Design and development of refrigerated drinking fountain products from concept to finished product through a stage-gate process by performing technical feasibility reviews, prototyping, design validation testing, and implementation of new product in a manufacturing setting.* Product design for international market space. Collaborated with diverse international teams to determine product specifications and execute NPD projects, provided technical training with international sales reps and distributors on Elkay manufacturing ideology, refrigeration design, and product installation.* Managed new product development projects by developing timelines in coordination with cross functional teams, led weekly updates with full project team, assigned action items and due dates* Facility Team Lead of Ergonomics and Job Safety Analysis Teams. Performed ergonomic audits and recommended improvements; documented safe working practices for specific manufacturing cells.

Savanna, Il

* Modeled and modified a sheet metal assembly for optimized manufacturability. Modifications resulted in the elimination of a dangerous fixture used during product assembly.* Reviewed engineering department procedures for creating product specification sheets. Implemented a revised procedure, standards for specification sheet information, and document control standards.* Supported New Product Development project, including assisting with Engineering Lab activities, assembling prototype units, and creating photorealistic renderings of prototype units.

Savanna, Il

* Created data tracking and analysis spreadsheets used to optimize an automated brazing process (achieved 32% scrap reduction).* Improved sheet metal part nest for more efficient use of blank sheets ($33,000 savings annually).* Teamed with quality services group to complete First Article Inspections and Dimensional Studies.

Clinton, Wi

* Led oil circulation testing for prototype transfer cases. Activities included assembling prototype units, setting up and running tests, data collection and analysis, and component modification for improved performance (lowered steady-state operating temperature by approximately 30°F).* Redesigned a shift fork to fix interferences, increase strength, and introduce poka-yoke condition for improved manufacturability.* Performed tolerance stackup analysis to determine tolerances on critical dimension for new product development project.* Manufacturing Engineering experience included creating part routings, cost quotes for customers, and designing, building, and validating part fixtures for machine centers.

Bachelor'S Degree, Mechanical Engineering, 3.6 / 4.0

Activities and Societies: American Society of Mechanical Engineers - President, Pi Tau Sigma (Mechanical Engineering Honor Society).

Associate Of Science (As), Engineering Science

Activities and Societies: Society of Physics Students