Dave Higgins

Dave Higgins Email and Phone Number

Senior Executive, Global Engineering, Software Development & Business Operations | Start-up, Turnaround & Accelerated Growth | Customer-focused Innovation | P&L | 25+ Years of Experience @
Dave Higgins's Location
Greater Phoenix Area, United States, United States
Dave Higgins's Contact Details

Dave Higgins personal email

n/a

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About Dave Higgins

I have been building, revitalizing, and scaling technology organizations for 25+ years. I started my career with IBM in coding and customer care, advanced to the executive team at Lenovo (PC & Smart Devices), and then joined the executive leadership team at Benchmark Electronics, where I oversee engineering services in North America. Throughout my career, I have managed hundreds of employees in delivering leading-edge technologies—outperforming targets in quality, security, revenue, and user satisfaction. Together with my colleagues and global teams, I developed organizations that remained ahead of the curve as technology evolved, development methodologies shifted, and customers pivoted expectations from large, standalone applications to cloud-based apps, IoT, and AI.My background combines technology leadership (all aspects of software and hardware development) with business operations management—building, directing and merging international engineering groups with accountability for teams, budgets, performance, and P&L contributions. Highlights of my contributions include:• Developed and rapidly scaled a world-class IoT Design Center for Benchmark Electronics, and then transformed the group into a broadly focused engineering services organization.• Delivered 276% year-over-year revenue growth (2019). Influenced 2X growth in bookings (2020) for the Industrial & Semiconductor sector by partnering with sales leaders in quotes, bids, and client communication.• Restructured Lenovo's SW development team into a highly professional and efficient global operation.• Drove innovation across system, devices, and cloud software and peripherals. As the industry changed, reshaped priorities to cloud computing, contextual computing, and artificial intelligence.• Created customer-centric Agile model that translated user insights into future software sprints.• Built powerful organizations and garnered efficiency through M&A transactions, such as Lenovo’s acquisitions of IBM PC and Lenovo's acquisition of NECPC.• Directed all operations of 400-employee business; expanded China Development Lab from 20 to 300+ managers and staff.• Saved millions of dollars annually while improving security, quality, and efficiency.I thrive in start-up, turnaround, and high growth environments. If you do too, or if you're interested in connecting with other executives and peers who are passionate about innovation, efficiency, and continuous performance improvement, I can be reached through LinkedIn or via email at dwh.higgins@gmail.com.

Dave Higgins's Current Company Details
Benchmark Electronics

Benchmark Electronics

Senior Executive, Global Engineering, Software Development & Business Operations | Start-up, Turnaround & Accelerated Growth | Customer-focused Innovation | P&L | 25+ Years of Experience
Dave Higgins Work Experience Details
  • Benchmark Electronics
    Vp Of North America Engineering Services
    Benchmark Electronics Jul 2017 - Present
    After establishing and scaling the IoT Design Center in my previous role, together with my colleagues, I transformed the newly created group into a broadly focused engineering services organization—one that closely aligned with the company’s core vision.At first, I directed the engineering operation in Tempe, Arizona, to design, prototype, test, and prepare innovative products for manufacturing. Our Tempe engineering team was able to grow revenue 276% in one year by creating a close collaboration with our sales leaders. In early 2020, with an eye on efficiency and customer-centric innovation, we restructured and consolidated our Arizona- and Minnesota-based engineering teams, and I embraced my current role: jointly leading the combined North American Engineering Services team with a focus on growing revenue and bookings in the Industrial, Semiconductor, and Telecom sectors.BUSINESS & ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP—FOR RAPID, SUSTAINED GROWTH• Fostered trust with the sales team to generate opportunities for the Tempe engineering group. This strategic effort yielded 276% growth from 2018 to 2019.• Provided vision and direction for the North America Engineering Services Team—yielding significant growth year over year.• Influenced 2x growth in Industrial & Semiconductor bookings by partnering with my colleagues and sales leaders as a key contributor in bidding, quoting, and business development processes.• Met changing organizational needs by balancing engineering leadership with business, P&L, and growth planning.
  • Benchmark Electronics
    Vp Of Engineering Design Center, Internet Of Things (Iot)
    Benchmark Electronics Jul 2017 - Jun 2018
    I was brought in to lead Benchmark’s IoT Design Center from its inception, and to rapidly scale the start-up operation. I built a top-performing team to create a leading-edge hardware and software IoT platform for high precision indoor location tracking. The solution uses UWB technology to locate or track people and assets accurately (within 10 centimeters) while collecting sensor information associated with the asset or person.START-UP & GROWTH MANAGEMENT• Hired a team of exceptionally talented software, mechanical, and electrical engineers.• Scaled the team from zero to 21 employees in 11 months.• Established capabilities to provide customers with customized, end-to-end, gateway-to-the-cloud service offerings.
  • Lenovo
    Vp Software Development, Personal Computing And Smart Devices (Pcsd)
    Lenovo Jan 2016 - Jul 2017
    Morrisville, Nc, Us
    As a member of the senior executive team within Lenovo’s Personal Computing & Smart Devices division, I directed all operations of the global Software Development organization and Product Assurance & Quality team (420+ total employees in the U.S., China, and Japan). In this role, I provided vision and direction in creating, testing, and deploying cloud portal, LenovoID, and device software for the international marketplace, while managing budgets, contributing to P&L, and steadily improving performance.CUSTOMER-FOCUSED AGILE DEVELOPMENT•Utilizing our customer-centric Agile model, we translated user insights into future SW features (Agile sprints) and quality improvements.• Increased store ratings from 2.9 to 4.1 (out of 5.0) for both cloud portal and Lenovo Settings applications.ENTERPRISE DEPLOYMENT• Established an industry-leading experience for enterprise customers by transforming traditional, high-touch deployment to a cloud-based provisioning model, providing advisory services to facilitate technology transitions.• Dramatically improved deployment, manageability, cloud provisioning, and Windows 10 migrations for enterprise customers.SECURITY OPTIMIZATION• Instilled a security culture by establishing Security Review Board and prioritizing employee education (assigned managers and staff to internal and external security training programs).• Launched “bug bounty” program with incentives for employees to identify security issues prior to shipment, inspiring the team to isolate 26 high-value and 338 total security vulnerabilities.COST CONTAINMENT & PROCESS IMPROVEMENT• Saved $26M by shifting customer care media (DVDs) to digital downloads.• Reduced ThinkPad preloaded applications by 74% for a cleaner image (and happier customers).• Partnered with Microsoft, Intel, AMD, IHVs, and PC OEMs) to aggressively reduce system crashs; overachieved goals by decreasing crashes 35% to 39% on commercial and consumer products.
  • Lenovo
    Vp Software Development Pcg, Device, Cloud & Software Ecosystem
    Lenovo 2012 - 2015
    Morrisville, Nc, Us
    As VP of Software Development, I continued to run the 400-employee SW development organization while guiding a corporate transformation —from standalone products to a cross-platform, cloud-based software approach. In addition, my teams and I introduced strategies to monetize user relationships by creating an engaging, content-rich cloud ecosystem and portal.•Introduced a customer-centric Agile model that translated user insights into future SW features (Agile sprints). Improved speed, quality, and customer adoption by rolling out Agile development methodology across the global software community.• Reduced annual NECPC spend from $41M to $17M in three years.• Achieved superior on-time delivery on software commitments.• Surpassed yearly goals for revenue growth and increasing total active users.
  • Lenovo
    Vice President, Software And Peripherals Development/Executive Director
    Lenovo 2006 - 2011
    Morrisville, Nc, Us
    I was promoted to VP in 2007, and directed operations of Lenovo’s Software and Peripherals business unit. Soon after I stepped into this role, the global economy changed, and it was important to implement efficiencies to protect the bottom line—without sacrificing quality or user satisfaction.After stabilizing the organization through process changes and cost reductions, the focus shifted to growth planning, performance optimization, and outperforming competitors in a crowded marketplace.• Produced the fastest-booting Windows PC on the market (retained this status for 3+ years) as executive sponsor of ThinkPad Enhanced Experience and Velocity programs.• Earned recognition from Microsoft as #1 OEM partner, and for industry-leading performance.• Relocated 127 positions from the U.S. to China to reduce development costs; met all product deliverables and commitments during the transition.• Improved manufacturing download times 30% and expedited testing cycles 50% through automation and efficiency.
  • Lenovo
    Executive Director Software Development
    Lenovo 2005 - 2006
    Morrisville, Nc, Us
    I played a leadership role in the IBM-to-Lenovo transition following Lenovo’s acquisition of IBM’s PC division. I continued to manage and mobilize 400+ employees in the U.S., China, and Japan—cutting costs and streamlining development along the way. At the same time, I collaborated with other executives in navigating the complexities of this major corporate transformation.For the acquisition:• Managed complex patent portfolio negotiations, ownership rights, and government approvals.• Integrated cultures, people, systems, and processes to create a single, unified organization after the acquisition.• Rebuilt the technology infrastructure, as needed, to ensure success.For the SW development business:• Grew China Development Lab from 20 to 70 employees in 12 months (later, expanded the lab to 300+ managers and staff).• Decreased preload costs 50% while increasing total systems supported by >100%.• Improved testing processes, tools, and automation, reducing product testing times by 300 hours.• Supported ThinkCentre and ThinkPad product launches worldwide.
  • Ibm
    Executive Director Thinkvantage Technologies Software, Pc Division
    Ibm 2003 - 2005
    Armonk, New York, Ny, Us
    I was transitioned (and relocated) to Raleigh, North Carolina, to restructure and revitalize IBM’s PC software organization, eliminating inefficiencies and improving performance across development, imaging, and product assurance.Before I came in, the SW development team was inconsistent in its operations (“garage shop”). It needed strong leadership and clearly defined processes for employees in the U.S., China, and Japan. To improve quality / on-time performance, I rebuilt and re-trained teams, overhauled operations, and created a professional, reliable, on-budget development and testing organization with exceptional customer support.
  • Ibm
    Executive Director Customer Care, Pseries Servers & Aix Os
    Ibm 2001 - 2003
    Armonk, New York, Ny, Us
    I was promoted to IBM’s executive team after serving as Executive Assistant to the IBM General Manager of Microelectronics from 2000 to 2001. In this capacity, I directed customer care (level 2 / 3 support, collaborated cross-functionally to resolve integration issues with hardware, middleware, and software, and oversaw the high-stakes Critical Situation Team) for IBM’s UNIX servers.
  • Ibm
    Director Aix/Intel Ia64 Development
    Ibm 1998 - 2000
    Armonk, New York, Ny, Us
    Following IBM’s acquisition of Sequent, I was offered a start-up opportunity. I began by building and scaling a team of dedicated, hard-working developers (sourced from the U.S. and India), and I implemented systems, operations, and best practices to effectively transition IBM’s UNIX operating system to Intel. The outcome beat expectations: we delivered the first AIX release on IA64 within 15 months.
  • Ibm
    Prior Experience
    Ibm 1998 - 1998
    Armonk, New York, Ny, Us
    PRIOR EXPERIENCEEarly in my career, I worked in coding and customer care for IBM. I started as Product Development Engineer, and advanced to Development Associate Engineer, Senior Associate Engineer, Staff Development Engineer, Senior Programming Manager, Development Engineer Manager, and Director of AIX Kernel Development.

Dave Higgins Skills

Software Development Product Management Cloud Computing Solution Selling Cross Functional Team Leadership Go To Market Strategy Program Management Leadership Integration Partner Management Enterprise Software Strategic Partnerships Business Strategy Management Strategy Business Development Team Leadership Business Process Improvement Competitive Analysis Process Improvement Executive Leadership Product Development Project Management New Business Development Product Lifecycle Management Operations Management Start Ups Transformatoin Turnaround Restructuring Start Up Operations International Leadership Agile Change Management M&a

Dave Higgins Education Details

  • Penn State University
    Penn State University
    Bachelor Of Science In Electrical Engineering (Bsee)
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Master'S Coursework In Computer Engineering

Frequently Asked Questions about Dave Higgins

What company does Dave Higgins work for?

Dave Higgins works for Benchmark Electronics

What is Dave Higgins's role at the current company?

Dave Higgins's current role is Senior Executive, Global Engineering, Software Development & Business Operations | Start-up, Turnaround & Accelerated Growth | Customer-focused Innovation | P&L | 25+ Years of Experience.

What is Dave Higgins's email address?

Dave Higgins's email address is da****@****nch.com

What is Dave Higgins's direct phone number?

Dave Higgins's direct phone number is +8610588*****

What schools did Dave Higgins attend?

Dave Higgins attended Penn State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

What skills is Dave Higgins known for?

Dave Higgins has skills like Software Development, Product Management, Cloud Computing, Solution Selling, Cross Functional Team Leadership, Go To Market Strategy, Program Management, Leadership, Integration, Partner Management, Enterprise Software, Strategic Partnerships.

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