Bruce Vojak

Bruce Vojak Email and Phone Number

Innovation Advisor / Consultant, Author, Speaker, Board Member @ Breakthrough Innovation Advisors, LLC
Bruce Vojak's Location
Oak Brook, Illinois, United States, United States
Bruce Vojak's Contact Details
About Bruce Vojak

Specialties: innovation; strategy; new product and process development; strategic technology management; engineering management; university-industry interactions and partnerships; higher education administrationI bring years of successful executive practice at the interface of business and technology, insight gained from a career-long, in-depth study of successful innovators in mature companies (resulting in co-authorship of "Serial Innovators: How Individuals Create and Deliver Breakthrough Innovations in Mature Firms" (Stanford University Press, 2012) and "No-Excuses Innovation: Strategies for Small- and Medium-Sized Mature Enterprises" (Stanford University Press, 2022)), and business acumen tested with countless companies – all built on a foundation of multiply-deep and broad expertise.Collectively, I contribute unique, complementary, and valued perspectives to my clients and in my board positions.EXPERTISE• Innovation• Strategy / Strategic Planning• Strategic technology management• Product and process development• Engineering management• Business growth and development• Mergers and acquisitions• Financial analysis• Emerging and advanced technology• Research and development• Intellectual property• Diversification• Personnel development• University-corporate relations• Project management TRAITS• Strategic, systems thinker• Analytic problem-solver• Highly relational• Informal and formal leader• Collaborative• Skilled communicator, listener• Inquisitive• Detail oriented

Bruce Vojak's Current Company Details
Breakthrough Innovation Advisors, LLC

Breakthrough Innovation Advisors, Llc

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Innovation Advisor / Consultant, Author, Speaker, Board Member
Bruce Vojak Work Experience Details
  • Breakthrough Innovation Advisors, Llc
    Managing Director
    Breakthrough Innovation Advisors, Llc Oct 2015 - Present
    Oak Brook, Illinois, Us
    Breakthrough Innovation Advisors applies proven practices and insights to enable mature-company clients to survive and thrive in a volatile, complex, and increasingly ambiguous world. Prior to 2015 LLC formation, legacy activity dates to 2007.Individually, or with associated advisors and organizations, I help clients discover the potential of, plan and prepare for, transform in order to realize, and sustain the benefits of breakthrough innovation through:• Awareness-building presentations• Assessments• Skill-development workshops• Coaching and advising• Acquisition and licensing advisory and support• Hiring advisory and support• Board service
  • The Conference Board
    Senior Fellow
    The Conference Board Nov 2023 - Present
    New York, Ny, Us
  • The Conference Board
    Advisory Board Member
    The Conference Board Jan 2018 - Present
    New York, Ny, Us
  • Stanford University Press
    Author: No-Excuses Innovation: Strategies For Small- And Medium-Sized Mature Enterprises
    Stanford University Press Sep 2022 - Present
    Redwood City, California, Us
  • Stanford University Press
    Author: Serial Innovators: How Individuals Create And Deliver Breakthrough Innovations ...
    Stanford University Press May 2012 - Present
    Redwood City, California, Us
  • Jva Partners
    Advisory Board Member
    Jva Partners Aug 2013 - Present
    Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Us
    Founded in 1998, JVA Partners is an operationally-focused private investment firm. They create value by investing in human talent, technology, innovation, and operational excellence in middle-market manufacturing and technology companies.
  • Micron Industries Corporation
    Board Member
    Micron Industries Corporation Jul 2018 - Oct 2024
    Oak Brook, Illinois, Us
    As the industry-leader for more than 40 years – and the only major electrical manufacturer to focus exclusively on AC inductors and DC power supplies, Micron is the supplier of choice for leading original equipment manufacturers and control system builders around the world.Hammond Power Solutions acquired Micron in October 2024.
  • Midtronics
    Advisory Board Member
    Midtronics Jul 2008 - May 2024
    Willowbrook, Il, Us
    Focused on advancing battery management, Midtronics has been recognized in both 2014 and 2016 as the Chicago area’s most innovative company by Crain’s Chicago Business. Their inventions place them in a global leadership position in the automotive, telecommunications, and stationary power markets.
  • Illinois Bis
    Senior Consultant (Independent Service Provider)
    Illinois Bis Jan 2016 - Sep 2020
    Naperville, Us
  • University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
    Associate Dean, College Of Engineering
    University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign Mar 1999 - Jan 2016
    Champaign, Il, Us
    Consistently ranked in the top-five nationally by U.S. News during my time there, in 2014 the college enrolled 10,000 students taught by 365 tenure and tenure-track faculty with a total budget of $350 million.Hired in 1999 to assume responsibility for non-philanthropic external relations with both industry and government as Associate Dean for External Affairs. Charge was to expand and enhance engagement and partnerships with those outside of the university. Over time, responsibilities (personal or those of reports; listed alphabetically) included:• Career services• Continuing education• Government interactions• Industry interactions• Local economic development• Strategic planning• Technology transferIn 2008 assumed responsibility for non-academic business operations as Associate Dean for Administration. Charge was to maintain or improve administrative service quality while reducing the cost. Over time, responsibilities (personal or those of reports; listed alphabetically) included:• Communications• Facilities• Finance and budget• Human resources• Information services• Safety• Strategic planning
  • University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
    Adjunct Professor
    University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign Mar 1999 - Jan 2016
    Champaign, Il, Us
    Adjunct appointments held from 1999 to 2016 facilitated research and teaching in innovation and strategic technology management.Collaborated with two colleagues in a multi-year, in-depth study of high-impact individuals who have succeeded in repeatedly driving significant new product developments in large, mature companies. Gained insight into who they are, how they innovate and move their organizations, and how to manage them. Resulting from this study, co-authored the book, Serial Innovators: How Individuals Create and Deliver Breakthrough Innovations in Mature Firms (Palo Alto: Stanford University Press, 2012).Developed and annually taught courses for engineers and scientists to prepare them for industry upon graduation. Regularly included in the campus’ “Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent”.
  • Motorola
    Director Of Advanced Technology
    Motorola Jul 1995 - Mar 1999
    Chicago, Illinois, Us
    Supported one of three primary divisions, offering products employed in all cell phones with total revenue of $150 million and operations in Illinois, Taiwan, and China.Hired in mid-1995 to establish and manage a Group-level R&D effort supporting the diversification of Motorola’s quartz-based frequency generation component products businesses, as well as performing advanced component product and process technology development in support of core businesses. Promoted in mid-1998 to lead development engineering, 60 engineers and technicians, including 15 located in Taiwan, supporting unit’s core business, threatened when Motorola lost dominant market share in the cellular handset business to Nokia.
  • Vojak And Associates
    Independent Consultant
    Vojak And Associates Jul 1994 - Jun 1995
    Advising and consulting at the intersection of technology and business.Secured and delivered on contracts: patent infringement study; reliability and manufacturing cost study of optical communication components; technology-transfer marketability study for Japanese firm seeking to license technology in the US; office machine control circuit development; and product documentation.
  • Amoco
    Business Development Manager
    Amoco Jul 1984 - Jun 1994
    London, England, Gb
    Multi-pronged, corporate radical diversification effort.Recruited into group addressing industries enabled by physical sciences. Hired in 1984 with initial charge to position Amoco as a credible contributor in the physical sciences. Promoted in 1987 to transition Amoco’s physical sciences activity from a research presence to a small-volume product development capability. Accepted a career-broadening promotion in 1990 into subsidiary's corporate development department, responsible for evaluating acquisition and divestment candidates. Promoted and returned to research group in 1993 to manage a technology-transfer incubator.
  • University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
    Adjunct Associate Professor
    University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign Jan 1985 - Jan 1991
    Champaign, Il, Us
    Between 1985 and 1991, periodically collaborated with faculty and students in the study of optical semiconductor materials and devices.
  • Mit Lincoln Laboratory
    Research Staff Member
    Mit Lincoln Laboratory Jan 1981 - Jun 1984
    Lexington, Ma, Us
    MIT Lincoln Laboratory addresses problems critical to national security, ballistic missile defense at that time.Conducted research as part of a team exploring and developing advanced transistor technologies.

Bruce Vojak Skills

Strategy Product Development Strategic Planning Leadership Management Business Development Engineering Management R&d Cross Functional Team Leadership Innovation Management Engineering Research Program Management Higher Education Business Strategy Manufacturing Project Management Data Analysis Competitive Analysis Product Management Science Innovation Process Improvement Start Ups Entrepreneurship Research And Development Six Sigma Materials Science Simulations Change Management Nanotechnology Technology Transfer Strategy Development Technology Development Technology Commercialization Process Engineering Supply Chain Management Budgets Business Process Improvement Semiconductors

Bruce Vojak Education Details

  • University Of Chicago
    University Of Chicago
    Concentrations In Finance And Marketing
  • University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    Electical Engineering
  • University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    Electical Engineering
  • University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    Electrical Engineering

Frequently Asked Questions about Bruce Vojak

What company does Bruce Vojak work for?

Bruce Vojak works for Breakthrough Innovation Advisors, Llc

What is Bruce Vojak's role at the current company?

Bruce Vojak's current role is Innovation Advisor / Consultant, Author, Speaker, Board Member.

What is Bruce Vojak's email address?

Bruce Vojak's email address is br****@****bis.org

What is Bruce Vojak's direct phone number?

Bruce Vojak's direct phone number is +121724*****

What schools did Bruce Vojak attend?

Bruce Vojak attended University Of Chicago, University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

What skills is Bruce Vojak known for?

Bruce Vojak has skills like Strategy, Product Development, Strategic Planning, Leadership, Management, Business Development, Engineering Management, R&d, Cross Functional Team Leadership, Innovation Management, Engineering, Research.

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