Derek Rocha, Mba, Pmp Email & Phone Number

Chicago, IL, US

Mclean, VA, US

• Direct a team of program managers across the APAC region, each leading their own cross-functional teams in the design, certification, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of satellite connectivity and inflight.
• Leadership in Major Contract Execution: Recently selected to lead the high-profile rollout of Intelsat's latest innovation, the Electronically Steered Antenna (ESA) system, across approximately 500 aircraft in the.
• Strategic Leadership and Oversight: Provide strategic direction and leadership to a regional team of program managers, enhancing program delivery and alignment with broader corporate goals.
• Team Development and Empowerment: Cultivate leadership skills and autonomy within the team, enabling program managers to effectively direct their respective high-value projects, fostering a culture of accountability.
• Resource Management and Optimization: Oversee the distribution and optimization of resources across projects, ensuring peak operational efficiency and adherence to budgetary constraints and timelines.
• Cross-Regional Coordination: Act as the primary liaison between corporate headquarters and the APAC region, ensuring consistent communication and alignment of project objectives with strategic business initiatives.

Mclean, VA, US

Intelsat acquired Gogo Commercial Aviation division from Gogo LLC on December 1, 2020.

Chicago, IL, US

• Led Airbus linefit and airline programs for 2Ku inflight connectivity and wireless entertainment systems across Airbus, Boeing, and Bombardier fleets, driving over $40 million in direct revenue with project budgets of.
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Directed teams of 20-30 professionals in complex inflight connectivity and entertainment installations, enhancing operational efficiency and project delivery.
• Production and Quality Management: Addressed and resolved production and quality challenges during the Airbus A220 ramp-up, maintaining uninterrupted production flows.
• Critical Component Procurement: Ensured timely procurement and manufacturing of critical components, collaborating closely with supply chain teams to adhere to demanding project schedules.
• Third-Party Management: Set up and managed an onsite maintenance team at the Airbus facility, swiftly resolving any issues to ensure continual compliance and functionality.
• Financial and Operational Efficiency: Oversaw the processing of purchase orders and invoices for third-party services, maintaining budget discipline and internal financial controls.

Chicago, IL, US

• Responsible for leading program teams of up to 20-30 people through implementation of new contact awards for installation of Gogo's inflight connectivity and entertainment system onboard commercial aircraft.
• Project Leadership: Directed the integration and certification of the 2Ku Inflight Connectivity and Entertainment systems into Airbus’s A220 production line, a landmark project for Airbus OEMs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ensured compliance with Airbus’s rigorous Technical Requirements Document (TRD), aligning multiple teams including engineering, software, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing.
• Technical Support and Coordination: Provided onsite support and led system integration tests with Airbus, offering real-time troubleshooting and technical guidance during critical testing phases.
• Strategic Certification Initiatives: Spearheaded a strategic partnership with Airbus for the Supplemental Type Certification (STC) of the 2Ku system on Airbus A330-900 aircraft for Delta Air Lines.

Chicago, IL, US

• Responsible for managing all aspects of multiple internal or external projects through the engineering lifecycle, including project plans, budgets, resources, and timely delivery of outcomes.
• Managed multiple cross-functional Engineering, Certification, and Supply Chain teams to design, certify, manufacture, and install 2Ku satellite connectivity systems onboard B737, A330, and A321 aircraft.
• Pioneered the development and establishment of the Project Engineer playbook, playing a pivotal role in defining standardized project management processes and artifacts, resulting in a unified approach to project.
• Led a critical project to achieve flammability compliance for the 2Ku satellite system installation designs, which were holding up multiple airline programs with committed deadlines and milestones.
• Developed a systematic approach by consolidating and analyzing dozens of kit documents, creating a single database, and categorizing over 3300 parts based on flammability and non-flammability characteristics.
• Collaborated with a flammability FAA DER to demonstrate compliance with FAA flammability requirements and regulations, resulting in the successful certification for the entire 2Ku product line.

Chicago, IL, US

• Responsible for developing and documenting basic certification strategy required to support the installation, design, and certification of technology on-board commercial aircraft.
• Developed and documented basic certification strategies supporting the installation, design, and certification of technology on-board commercial aircraft.
• Successfully obtained FAA certifications for Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and the 2Ku system by navigating complex aviation certification processes and adhering to rigorous DO-160 and DO-254 standards.
• Engaged in regular communication with FAA representatives and certification authorities, providing clear documentation of DO-160 and DO-254 compliance to facilitate the certification of LRUs and the 2Ku system.
• Led a successful Continuous Improvement (CI) project to enhance the Master Drawing List (MDL) document, optimizing the organization and clarity of various Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) design configurations..

Waukegan, Illinois, US

• Acted as the single communication point of contact with customers and a real-time problem solver, managing project schedules, deliverables, milestones, resource planning, and commercial agreements to support the.
• Accountable for the P&L of a project portfolio with revenue in excess of $4M and a 30-40% profit margin.
• Developed a project portfolio tracking tool for monitoring 40-60 active projects concurrently within the PMO, facilitating effective status reporting to senior leadership.
• Streamlined PM methodology through collaboration with management stakeholders, improving efficiency by 35%.
• Leveraged negotiation skills to secure cost-effective testing agreements, optimizing company resources and achieving substantial cost savings without compromising on the quality and integrity of the testing processes.

Waukegan, Illinois, US

• Responsible for developing and documenting basic certification strategy required to support the installation design and certification of technology onboard commercial aircraft. Additional responsibilities include.
• Led multiple major and minor change STC projects concurrently, successfully managing 12 major change STC projects.
• Played a pivotal role in co-leading initiatives to enhance Armstrong's minor change capabilities in collaboration with the FAA's local Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO).
• Coordinated with the local ACO for the smooth implementation of minor changes to STC data packages.
• Developed specialized analysis methods to assess the impact of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) on avionic systems, ensuring compliance with stringent aviation regulations.
• Achieved validations of FAA STCs from foreign Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorities, including those from Canada, Europe, Japan, China, Brazil, and more.

Washington, DC, US

• Acquired extensive knowledge and hands-on experience regarding Systems and Controls, Flight Dynamics, Aerodynamics, and Aviation Physiology of high-performance aircraft.
• Trained in the safety culture of naval aviation, including Operational Risk Management, Crew Resource Management, fire training, CPR, and first aid.
• Accumulated flight time in aerobatics, formation, instrument, and tactical flights.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Aerospace, Aeronautical And Astronautical Engineering