John Spruill Email and Phone Number
With nearly 3 decades of career experience in the Automotive Industry and having created and led large engineering organizations to launch hundreds of new vehicle models, I’ve been at the genesis of 5 startups at various stages during my career. Startups are part of my DNA. I enjoy embracing the unknown and working through the challenges of how to scale a start-up business to deliver the intended results by building thriving teams, operationalizing each business unit, and solving complex technical challenges.I created Startup-Driven as a platform for me to work with startups as a Consultant, Advisor, and Investor to help companies avoid making costly and time-consuming mistakes as they smart scale towards the prize.From my past, having served in an executive capacity at several Automotive companies, as well as founding my own consultancy, being active in philanthropic endeavors, participation in boards, as well as an investor/advisor in new endeavors, I am energized by the complexities of startup culture. My lightning in a bottle experience at Tesla, having joined in 2009 as a founding member of test and validation when there were only 400 employees in total, exemplified the success of my startup philosophies and strategies in practical terms during the explosive growth of Tesla. Over the decade, I scaled my business unit’s exponentially as the company grew to more than 55,000 employees globally. Having worked directly with Elon and other executives at Tesla, I grew my organization from scratch to become the largest team within the engineering organization and launched all of Tesla’s products ranging from Roadster 2.0 to the development of the Model Y, all while meeting Elon’s demanding and often impossible timing expectations.After leaving Tesla, I founded my own consultancy in 2019 and worked to launch another new startup EV company, Canoo, into the market, while also working with an automotive software company to mature their product for market introduction. In 2023 I became an investor & COO of Clientown to launch a new SAAS CRM product in the Real Estate Sector. And in 2024 I founded Startup-Driven to share my skills and experiences with other startups to empower their success.I do my best work by applying my talents and proven track record of scaling startups for rapid growth while cultivating a healthy team centric culture. Reach out and let me know how I might be able to help you.
Startup-Driven
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FounderStartup-Driven Oct 2024 - PresentI founded Startup-Driven as a platform to work with early-stage startups as a Consultant, Advisor, and/or Investor to help companies avoid making costly and time-consuming mistakes as they operationalize their business and scale towards achieving their goals.
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Investor, Advisor And Chief Operating OfficerClientown Jul 2023 - PresentRe-founded a SAAS (Software as a Service) company in stealth-mode start-up phase and led to a public launch in less than 6-months. • Created and planned a Product Development Roadmap to define & schedule new feature releases • Refined Sales Strategies to create a tiered product feature set behind various paywalls • Landed strategic partners to create our Social Media Digital Marketing strategy • Led Marketing Ads implementation campaigns across Facebook/Instagram/Google/YouTube • Created recruitment strategy and began hiring full-time staff to scale for rapid growth • Created internal process and procedures to mature business operations • Created financial forecast modeling along multiple growth scenarios • Hired law firms, formalized contracts, created multiple T&C’s and other legal policies to ensure compliance • Implemented Beta Users program and a Concerns recordkeeping process to resolve issues prior to launch • Augmented our software app with a customer facing helpdesk and ticket resolution system • Led our Launch Readiness planning activities leading up to our public launch by end of 2023 • Initiated Post-launch lessons-learned process to refine later product feature releases -
Vice President - Reliability, Test, And HomologationCanoo Jan 2022 - Oct 2023Justin, Texas, Us -
In-Charge Of Reliability, Test And AttributesCanoo Jan 2021 - Jan 2022Justin, Texas, Uso Responsibility set grown to include Component & System Level testing in addition to expanded Vehicle Level test responsibilitieso Develop in-house test capabilities to aid product development, new product innovations, and validationo Founded a new Attributes Organization supporting product development activities to deliver exciting new products that meet or exceed voice of the customer desires incorporating TCO, USP's, and Canoo unique brand pillars
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In Charge Of Vehicle TestCanoo Apr 2019 - Jan 2021Justin, Texas, Uso Reduced overall test program expenses and test program duration from prior expectations, while also increasing the total number of tests to be performed for a more robust test program to meet validation & regulatory compliance requirements. o Developed the Test Strategy for Canoo, having created an end-to-end Test Process, new Test Plans & Test Schedules, Test Budget, and Staff support needs.o Created new vehicle level Test Procedureso Brought on-line key test suppliers and test laboratory partners for test execution support.
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Director, Test EngineeringTesla Oct 2016 - Dec 2018Austin, Texas, UsFounded and grew a test organization from infancy to maturity inclusive of delivering on a vision to in-source testing at Tesla which ultimately led to the build out of an all new 300k sqft test center which was used to successfully test and validate the new Model 3.Test Teams founded and led: o Active Safety Test - Homologation Test/ADAS Test/Performance Test o Passive Safety Test - Crash & Sled Test/Component Test/Safety Performance Test o Durability & Reliability Test – Durability/Strength/Abuse/Functional Test/Environmental Test o Material Test – Environmental Test/Strength & Fatigue Test/Laboratory Test o Test Facilities & Equipment Engineering o Instrumentation & High Speed Imaging o Test Program ManagementKey Accomplishments: o Led the 5 Star Safet test programs for the accomplishment of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd safest car ever tested by NHTSA for Model 3, Model S, and Model X respectively. Accomplished EuroNCAP 5-Star for Model S and internally validated Model 3 to meet the 5-Star requirement for the 2019 protocol. o Pioneered Active Safety testing at Tesla to validate regulatory requirements of ADAS technologies. Performed validation testing of Tesla Autopilot functionality and conducted on-road testing globally accumulating hundreds of thousands of real-world miles. o Built a full-scale Crash Facility from scratch with a completely innovative homegrown in-house solution resulting in less than $1MM spend for what is typically a >$20MM expense. o Built an all new test facility and grew test capabilities by doubling the test equipment assets with matching headcount for execution. Maximized the facility layout for a 50% gain in equipment asset density by an increase of only 20% of floor space compared to prior labs. Created a phased build out approach that saved $25MM in construction expenses while still delivering a fully functional lab. Broke ground in Oct 2016 and began move in April 2017. -
Sr. Manager, Vehicle TestTesla Nov 2009 - Oct 2016Austin, Texas, UsJoined Tesla as the founding member of testing where I created their systematic Testing process, inclusive of Test Planning, Test Matrixes, Test Procedures, Test Execution, Test Incident Reporting (TIR’s), Test Reports, Concerns for countermeasure tracking, and KPI’s. Built a test organization from zero to over 130 highly talented and effectual team members that have accomplish impossible deadlines and tasks to validate and homologate Tesla vehicles. Responsible for all vehicle level testing to support Safety, Homologation, Performance, Durability, and Reliability requirements for Tesla Vehicles.
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Vp Of EngineeringTechco Aug 2008 - Aug 2009Joined Steve Saleen’s business partner to co-manage all aspects of a start-up Aftermarket Supercharger company, while leading Engineering. o Innovated a specialized Product Design and Development process, utilizing SLS rapid prototyping, for developing new Supercharger Kits in a 3 month development cycle, ensuring a 1st to market advantage over competitors 12-18 month cycleso Designed and developed the innovative and patented Techco 3.0L Reverse Revolution Twin Screw Supercharger as a modular design, adapting it for the Dodge HEMI vehicles, Ford Mustang, and Chevy Corvette and Camaro, all within 12 months timeo Designed and developed crate engines and accessory parts for Dodge and Ford vehicleso Built a “best in class” Engineering team through establishment of Engineering Design and Release procedures and created an internship program for future department growtho Created custom Calibrations and developed procedures to manage customer tunes, track change history, ensuring customers satisfaction and future sales revenues for tune changeso Managed all California ARB Aftermarket EO certification applications and emissions testing, allowing products to be sold legally in the state of Californiao Generated media and consumer awareness and continual sales growth through development and creation of corporate branding, website, internet forums/blogs, press releases, car shows, hands on grass-roots campaigns, magazine PR, and advertisements
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Vp Of EngineeringSms (Steve Michael Saleen) Limited / Zx Auto North America Jun 2007 - Aug 2008Followed Steve Saleen on a new start-up business venture to Homologate and Import ZX Auto vehicles from Baoding, China and concurrently develop SMS performance vehicles to rebuild the Saleen business and brand. Responsible for creating an engineering department and leading all Engineering activities to design and develop Emissions Certified and Safety Compliant versions of a ZX Auto Truck & SUV for Importation into the North American market (US/Canada/Mexico). o Led the Engineering team; program management, planning, product specifications, timelines, budgets, manpower assignment, facilitated technical design and developmento Managed relationships with major Tier 1 Suppliers, traveling Globally o Planned and Implemented Homologation changes with ZX Auto in Baoding, Chinao Identified future Emissions and Safety regulations and implemented strategy for compliance in all of North America (US/Canada/Mexico)o Performed emissions testing and calibration changes as needed to meet standardso Identified, negotiated agreements, and managed relationships with Tier 1 suppliers (Lotus/Bosch/Delphi/Siemens/Autoliv/Lear/Visteon/IAC) on Interior/TPMS/Seats/Seat Belts/Advanced Air Bag system with Roll Over Protection, and OBD II compliant ECU o Coordinated and led FMVSS crash testing and compiled GAP analysis for each FMVSS standardo Received NHTSA/EPA/Customs approvals for importation of Chinese vehicleso Conceived and led quarterly meetings on ZXNA’s compliance progress with NHTSA o Developed and managed Mexico NOM’s compliance plan and communicated with SEMARNATo SMS Products developed: 570/570AX Dodge Challenger, Steve Saleen's 25th Anniversary Mustang
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Director Of Engineering, And Chief EngineerSaleen May 1998 - Jun 2007Corona, Ca, UsResponsible for all Engineering Design and Development activities and Program Management for New Vehicle Programs, notably; Saleen S7/S7TT Supercar, Saleen S331/S331SC Trucks, Saleen S281, S281SC, S281Extreme, Saleen-Parnelli Jones Mustang S302, and Saleen S121 Focus• Engineering Program Managemento Developed a specialized Product Design and Development process for developing small volume niche vehicles in a 9 month development lifecycleo Managed New Vehicle Program Development budgets totaling over $6 milliono Grew the engineering team to a size of 35 people in two locations (Irvine, CA/Troy, MI)o Led all New Vehicle Programs and directed cross functional Teams to meet program objectives for Industrial Design, Product Specifications, Timeline, and Budgeto Conduct weekly Team Meetings to assign tasks, report on status, and provide recapso Manage Bill of Material (BOM) organization and creation o Conduct Design Reviews (CDR/DDR) for Design Sign Offo Work with suppliers to meet cost and timing objectives• Powertrain Designo Designed and developed the Series I-VI Supercharger Kitso Developed an OBDII compliant Engine Management System for the Saleen S7• Engine and Vehicle Calibrationo Led all Calibration, Strategy, hardware and software development activities to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and consumer acceptable drivability o Created and maintained Calibration and Strategy databaseso Created Calibration guides and trained calibrators in calibration practices• Emission Certificationo Performed emission testing, correspondence and documentation required for compliance with US EPA 40 CFR part 86 and California ARB CCR 1960.1, Title 13. o CFEIS Emissions Data Reportingo Confirmatory Testing (NVFEL)o California ARB OBD II Certificationo California ARB Aftermarket EO Certificationo California ARB Experimental Permits• Safety Complianceo FMVSS/CMVSS Safety Testingo Compliance Documentation -
F-150 C.A.R. Supervisor - Paint Department At The Norfolk Assembly PlantFord Motor Company 1996 - 1997Dearborn, Michigan, UsManaged (35) production and skilled trades hourly employees in the E-Coat/Phosphate/Sealer Zone. Met daily production demands at an output of 70 trucks per hour.
John Spruill Education Details
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University Of MarylandMechanical Engineering
Frequently Asked Questions about John Spruill
What company does John Spruill work for?
John Spruill works for Startup-Driven
What is John Spruill's role at the current company?
John Spruill's current role is Founder @ Startup-Driven | Startup Advisor & Investor | Consultant | Fractional COO/CTO | ex-Tesla, Director | ex-Canoo, VP | ex-Saleen, VP.
What schools did John Spruill attend?
John Spruill attended University Of Maryland.
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