Don Kitson Email & Phone Number

Duluth, Mn, Us

Lead 2 related and essential areas focused on improving the business (the how) of Product Development1. Functional leader to the Project Engineering group. Developing the standards, methods, and staff to drive predictive projects and high performing teams.2. Leading talented group that configure IT tools for Product Development, create and deliver outstanding learning and development content, managing departmental procedures, and leading continuous improvement initiatives.

Superior, Wisconsin, Us

Corporate restructuring for focus to drive performance and results. Using data, analytics, team & process development, achieved: 50% improvement in Same Day Fill Rate, 65% improvement in Abandon Call Rate, Turn-around of YOY part sales (from loss to growth). 30% reduction in Warranty Claims, Warranty Claim Cycle Time to <7 days from >2 months. Team achieving expectations to provide Instructor Led Training to Dealer's. Inspired new technical publications style guide and new publication creation process resulting in 100% On Time Delivery to production, increased accuracy, and customer search capability. Driving importance of configuration control across organization. Provide strategy, leadership, and coaching to my peers in areas of: Quality, Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain.www.barko.com

P&L responsibility for $12M aftermarket business. Leading renewal of all warranty and customer-affecting processes. Reinvigorating team and processes, focused on delivering great customer service through Inside Sales, Part Sales, Technical Publications, Training, and Technical Support for the brands Pettibone Traverse Life, Barko, Ardco, and Tiffin Parts. www.pettiboneheg.com

Stabilized organization and dealer network from effects of long-tenure retirements, while guiding through the concurrent introduction of 6 product families designs. Developed staff and standardize the processes for service maintenance performance across multiple brands, multiple facilities, and global service-delivery.http://www.pettiboneheg.com

Duluth, Mn, Us

Direct technology and knowledge transfer to establish manufacturing capability with sister company with no prior manufacturing experience in Zhuhai, China. Completed in 2012 a demonstration production re-assembly line. Develop, coordinate, and implement training of Chinese engineers and technicians. Manage $2+MM product and service budget, including preparation of project income and cash flow statements, preparation of pro-forma invoices, and coordination of export/import requirements.Current project establishes a Production Certificate for Aircraft Assembly and Composite Part Manufacturing. Use deep knowledge of manufacturing, engineering, quality, safety, and organization development to advise, audit, and coach sister company in creation of business systems. Drive internal business systems improvements to maximize benefit of sister company.

Duluth, Mn, Us

Leadership of Environment Health & Safety (EHS), Internal Technical Training, and External Maintenance Training. Develop mutually beneficial relationships with local colleges (NCTC, LSC, WITC). Facilitate external OD consultant activities with Executive Team.Noteworthy Items:Learning Management System: Develop idea, business case, and implement. New revenues and value-add content delivered to Flight Students, Flight Training Partners, and Maintenance Service Partners while also leveraging the infrastructure to Cirrus employees and thereby also improve the cost structure of the core business. learning.cirrusaircraft.com servicecenters.cirrusaircraft.comDevelop Worldwide Type-Training Strategy. Initiate EASA Part 147 Type Training Certification. Increased Maintenance-Training profits. Content improvements, increased Customized Maintenance Training for fleet customers, and increased utilization of Commercial Maintenance Training courses: Content development, delivery, and management. Awarded Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Pathways Grant, with Lake Superior College (LSC), to develop and deliver pre-employment assembly technician curriculum. Directed Safety Team realizing YOY reduction in OSHA report-ables and below industry average rates by blending Behavior Based Safety (BBS) and Near Miss Safety approaches. Initiating Safety Management System development guided by ANSI Z10.

Duluth, Mn, Us

An internal consultant, coach, and special-projects manager.Noteworthy accomplishments:Customer Service : Create, implement, and analyze Customer Satisfaction Survey instruments grounded in ServPerf (Cronin,Taylor) approach. Target populations include, aircraft owners and service network partners.Lean Specialist : coordinate and execute Kaizen events in manufacturing operations with AFSO21 intern/consultants.Engineering and Certification leader of divestment of ITAR technology in support of US Treasury Department CFIUS review.Executive Team Annual Plan facilitation. Succession planning, skill gap analysis, and employee development. Implement career paths for technical professionals.

Duluth, Mn, Us

Dramatic improvement in customer satisfaction of parts availability via implementation of “Lean” methodologies and performance measures. Develop and implement worldwide logistics for Class 1 explosives as part of replacement of life-limited aircraft parachute and rocket, including compliance with US-DOT, BATF and similar Foreign Authorities for handling and transport of Class 1 explosives.

Duluth, Mn, Us

Establish vision and leadership for efficiency and effectiveness in areas of Organization Development, Program Management, Airworthiness and Regulatory Communications (FAA-Aircraft Certification Office and Non-US Civil Aviation Authorities), and Data Management/Document Control (PTC/Windchill). Significant contribution to Engineering workforce reduction strategy and tactics and thereafter workforce retention and employee engagement.Incorporate a project characteristic contingency model into a new product introduction system Project Manager and Engineer of vertical integration of rocket and parachute production business, including business plan creation, US-DOT and BATF Certifications, and engineering data approval.

Duluth, Mn, Us

An internal consultant, coach, and project manager. Lean process improvement leadership for flexibility and efficiency of Engineering business processes. Develop structure and content of career paths for technical professionals. Implemented Peer Learning Technical Seminars. Coordinate quarterly employee all-hands meetings and enhance these meetings with learning and development activities.

Duluth, Mn, Us

Leadership of Electrical/Avionics, Powerplant, Payload, and Mechanical Systems Engineering groups. Sr. Project Manager and Chief Engineer for development and flight of prototype air-cooled auto-gas engine installation.

Duluth, Mn, Us

Founded the Liaison Engineering function and assisted in establishing the production capability from start-up to 2+ aircraft per day. Established the Sustaining Design Engineering group dedicated to creating repairs and design improvements for production and field service.

Duluth, Mn, Us

Lead Engineer for design and certification of Flight Control System and Control Surfaces for the Cirrus SR20 aircraft. Coordinate final certification and production release of SR20 design data. Implement, grow, and manage Pro/e CAD installation. Develop and implement document control system. Aerodynamic surface lofting of prototype Cirrus SR20, and Israviation ST50. Prototype design and development of Outrider UAV airframe structure.

Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, Us

Conceptual design of mobile howitzer systems. Contract Engineer.

Ma, Management - Organization Development

Certificate, The Essence Of Change: Brainwashing, Culture Evolution, And Process Consultation

Managing Complex Product Development Projects

Project Management Professional Certification Course

Baem, Aerospace Engineering - Aerodynamics/Fluid Mechanics