Leading an fantastic team of innovative, cross-functional engineers in the development and application of next generation horizontal directional drilling technologies.

- Developed and implemented a mechatronics centered educational curriculum and a MathWorks™ empowered engineering hardware/software ecosystem for ALMACO electrical, mechanical, controls engineers and technicians. The targeted curriculum addressed specific needs in the domains of data acquisition, signal processing, controls development, requirements discovery, test & automation and cross-functional team collaboration. Student learning was enhanced by solving ALMACO specific engineering problems through hands-on labs combining mechanical, electrical, controls and embedded software design elements.- Mentor high achieving/high potential engineers, actively demonstrate/make technical resources broadly accessible and knowable across as well as up and down the organization, promote Systems Engineering and cross-discipline engineering skills development among the mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, software, embedded and test engineers as well as engineering technicians and interns. - Technical Lead on the industry's first Prescription On-Planter Seed Treatment system (POP-ST). Developed strategy to address stakeholder concerns regarding product architecture and performance metric uncertainties by orchestrating parallel rapid prototyping and math modeling activities of the team. The identification and pursuit of only high value design space resulted in accelerated requirements discovery, rapid solidification of the product architecture and ultimately, successful field trials.- Collaborated with seed research scientists to develop, test and deploy the enabling technologies for PowerPollen® - pollination on demand, whereby corn, rice and wheat pollen is collected, preserved and then mechanically applied later to enhance seed research operations.

- Directly contributed to the hydraulic component selection and successful launch of the Ag Leader SteadySteer™ auto row guidance solution. The was accomplished by: performing the required requirements discovery and then generating specifications for a high power/high flow hydraulic test stand, creating a d-Space/Simulink hydraulic bench control system/logic and HMI. The highly adaptable test bench supported activities such as automated component characterization, HIL controls development, simulated vehicle and implement conditions and accelerated life test.- Directly contributed to the successful launch of SureSpeed™ - Ag Leader’s high speed planting solution. Successfully mitigated early field test setbacks by shifting resources to field test simulation. This was realized by recording in-field three-axis high speed planter row unit accelerations and then subjecting the SureSpeed row unit to the same accelerations in a HALT chamber. This resulted in the continuation of high value design work, without incurring a schedule slip.- Successfully influenced leadership to leverage the talents of “Makers” at Ag Leader by purchasing enthusiast grade 3D printers and a 3D scanner, leading to accelerated project momentum, fewer return field trips and $32,000/yr reduction in prototype material costs as compared to the existing Stratasys 3D printer.- Championed the creation of and then delivered an Innovation Lab. This lead to faster prototyping, a better learning environment, agility and improved speed to market.- Leveraged Matlab/Simulink software and Arduino/Raspberry Pi/STM32 ecosystems to deliver sophisticated test stands, automation of manual tasks, and rapid prototypes leading to accelerated requirements discovery, faster design iterations and improved product reliability.- Created a paradigm shift in how Ag Leader supports wheel angle sensor installations by designing a configurable bracket mounting system, reducing the need for custom bracket solutions.

– Designed the 2010 Maytag Maxima front load wash basket and sub-components such as plastic wash baffles, cast aluminum basket support and related assembly line workflows and quality processes on highly cross-functional teams with representation from engineering, marketing, manufacturing and service.– Successfully achieved DOE Energy Star rating on Whirlpool top load washer by close study of DOE washing machine test procedures and then appropriately modifying plastic component geometries.– Identified and successfully mitigated galvanic corrosion issue prior to product launch resulting in meeting reliability goals and the authoring of a galvanic corrosion mitigation guide for Whirlpool engineering.

- Six Sigma Green Belt Certified and Black Belt trained resulting in a total of $680,000/yearsavings by implementing data driven quality and cost reduction projects.

- Designed the top load 2001 Maytag Atlantis stainless steel wash basket and sub-components and lead related assembly line workflows and quality processes.- Regularly paired up with new hires and interns to quickly integrate them into the company culture and begin necessary skill sharing and development.- Identified and successfully mitigated galvanic corrosion by electrically isolating stainless steel and aluminum parts using polypropylene separators with an integrated santoprene plastic over-molded gasket. This resulted in meeting reliability goals and the authoring of a galvanic corrosion mitigation guide for Maytag engineering.

- Successfully addressed assembly line safety issues to mitigate line worker injuries by collaborating with sheet metal tool engineers to remove hazardous sharp corners and burr edges on manufactured sheet metal components.- Observed the direct impact of product design decisions on warranty claims, customersatisfaction and brand name loyalty by accompanying an actual Maytag Repairman for twodays as he interacted with customers, repairing washing machines, dryers, microwaves,dishwashers, refrigerators and ovens. That experience highlighted the importance of never losingsight of the customer.

– Extended the operational envelope of indoor laser range finders to allow for surveying of treeson Kellogg property, such that temporary outdoor structures could be erected withoutinterference.- Completed preliminary engineering and design proposal to reduce product moisturevariations in the Fruit Loop product line, with the concept being implemented shortly after myco-op term.

– Exceeded expectations on a sandblasting cabinet operator ergonomic improvement projectby including a small modification resulting in greatly reduced operator exposure to silica dust.- Designed custom, one-off equipment to achieve departmental safety goals while workingunder severe budget constraints by collaborating with the skilled trades unions to create andimplement the designs using on hand, shop materials.