Michael Ficarra Email & Phone Number

Rochester, Ny

I remove obstacles to make everyone else's work easier and more enjoyable. Both in my professional and personal endeavors, I strive to adhere to the following core values.• INTEGRITY: Behave in a manner that demonstrates respect, trust, and honesty. DO THE RIGHT THING!• QUALITY: Take pride and continuously challenge standards. Deliver quality in everything to achieve superior results every time. DO THE THING RIGHT!• SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Care for and meet the needs of others ahead… Show more I remove obstacles to make everyone else's work easier and more enjoyable. Both in my professional and personal endeavors, I strive to adhere to the following core values.• INTEGRITY: Behave in a manner that demonstrates respect, trust, and honesty. DO THE RIGHT THING!• QUALITY: Take pride and continuously challenge standards. Deliver quality in everything to achieve superior results every time. DO THE THING RIGHT!• SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Care for and meet the needs of others ahead of oneself. Make a difference, work as a team, and have fun doing it. HOW CAN I HELP? Show less

Rochester, New York

Helping you do your thing better.Steadfast helps you do your thing better through an engineering approach to identify and remove bottlenecks from your current business processes.Steadfast takes an engineering approach to identify bottlenecks in your business and removes those obstacles.We dive deep into your operations, identify inefficiencies, and develop strategies that empower you to drive success.Steadfast takes a collaborative project management approach to… Show more Helping you do your thing better.Steadfast helps you do your thing better through an engineering approach to identify and remove bottlenecks from your current business processes.Steadfast takes an engineering approach to identify bottlenecks in your business and removes those obstacles.We dive deep into your operations, identify inefficiencies, and develop strategies that empower you to drive success.Steadfast takes a collaborative project management approach to expect the unexpected when running projects. Show less

Rochester, New York Area

Collect Voice of Customer to steer teams in developing custom solutions and robust business systems. Actively listen and capitalize on the specialized knowledge of each team member to identify obstacles and leverage strengths. Engage hands-on with teams, building trust through personal interactions and collaboration. Enhance company protocols and standards simultaneously, incorporating automation to ensure the delivery of top-tier solutions and tools that drive business success.• Amid… Show more Collect Voice of Customer to steer teams in developing custom solutions and robust business systems. Actively listen and capitalize on the specialized knowledge of each team member to identify obstacles and leverage strengths. Engage hands-on with teams, building trust through personal interactions and collaboration. Enhance company protocols and standards simultaneously, incorporating automation to ensure the delivery of top-tier solutions and tools that drive business success.• Amid the global pandemic, the critical need arose for the rapid deployment of vaccine manufacturing lines under the ‘Operation Warp Speed Rochester’ initiative. Taking the helm, I orchestrated a swift mobilization to accelerate production, a crucial endeavor during such pressing times. By formulating and refining strategies, alongside leveraging established relationships with machine builders, I assembled high-caliber teams. These concerted efforts culminated in the concurrent engineering, manufacturing, building, commissioning, and installation of $80M of custom equipment across 10 production lines, all within a remarkable 4-month timeframe for the first install, thereby significantly accelerating vaccine production.• The lack of real-time performance data for executive decision-making posed a challenge. To bridge this gap, I developed integrated business intelligence systems and dashboards to track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This initiative enabled executive leadership to swiftly access vital company performance data, thus accelerating data-driven decision-making and aligning operations with the organization's focus on efficiency and accuracy. Show less

Rochester, Ny

Directed the development of electromechanical systems in adherence with organizational goals and regulatory standards. Led cross-functional teams to achieve aggressive schedule and revenue targets for medical device commercialization projects. Orchestrated all aspects of business and project development from initial scoping to delivery, integrating inputs across Marketing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Service, and other key functional areas. Facilitated clear communication with… Show more Directed the development of electromechanical systems in adherence with organizational goals and regulatory standards. Led cross-functional teams to achieve aggressive schedule and revenue targets for medical device commercialization projects. Orchestrated all aspects of business and project development from initial scoping to delivery, integrating inputs across Marketing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Service, and other key functional areas. Facilitated clear communication with stakeholders on project performance. Strategically aligned product portfolio strategy and roadmap with the organization's vision, showcasing readiness for executive leadership in driving organizational strategy and execution.• Challenged to identify a new market white space for bedside X-Ray imaging, led project to commercialize a revolutionary technology based lightweight mobile X-Ray system from multiple remote locations across the globe. Through several voice of the customer sessions to understand customer needs, product requirements were driven to match this new market demand.• Manage multi-million dollar portfolio of products and projects strategically aligned with business goals and worldwide market landscape. Utilize market intelligence data to analyze and identify gaps within the company portfolio and the market to make vital decisions and drive decision-making across portfolio. Align the tactical projects with the portfolio strategy.• Technically savvy and able to discuss, understand, and make decisions regarding a wide array of engineering disciplines and complex technical issues. Drives teams to execute on tasks and deliverables. Develop a sense of urgency when key deliverables are jeopardized and facilitate problem solving sessions to address obstacles. Show less

Webster, Ny

Managed multi-million dollar automation projects from concept to integration within Consumer Product, Healthcare, Automotive, and Energy industries, embodying a complete project lifecycle management approach. Maintained a strategic balance among project cost, quality, and schedule, ensuring both internal and external stakeholders remained engaged and well-informed on project progression and forecasts. Translated the voice of the customer into precise requirements, working closely with… Show more Managed multi-million dollar automation projects from concept to integration within Consumer Product, Healthcare, Automotive, and Energy industries, embodying a complete project lifecycle management approach. Maintained a strategic balance among project cost, quality, and schedule, ensuring both internal and external stakeholders remained engaged and well-informed on project progression and forecasts. Translated the voice of the customer into precise requirements, working closely with engineering teams to brainstorm and implement solutions.Offered directional guidance through challenging tasks, fostering a culture of innovation and problem-solving. Led cross-functional collaborations involving Mechanical, Electrical, Software, and Manufacturing Engineers, Procurement, and Operations departments, showcasing a cohesive leadership approach. Utilized Copy Exact methodologies to implement controlled processes in manufacturing, identifying critical features and instituting validation steps. This rigorous approach ensured robust manufacturing controls, enhancing product consistency and reliability, indicative of a strategic and operationally adept leadership style.• Managed fast track $7M project, where process development ran concurrently with design and build phases. Through regular risk assessments, potential pitfalls including critical path schedule items were identified and managed, adapting to the project's unique needs to ensure its success. This scenario demonstrated a proactive risk management approach, crucial for executive roles, ensuring project deliverables even in high-pressure, evolving circumstances.• Implemented a dashboard tool to instantly report project status including EAC vs. budgets by discipline, procurement activity, labor and material spend profile, burn rate, and resource monitoring which automatically analyzes historical burn rate vs. required ETC burn rate (confirming project is on pace to meet required deadlines with planned resources). Show less

Rochester, New York Area

Coordinate and manage a department of professionals. Direct execution of concurrent multi-million dollar projects and energy conservation programs across multiple locations. Provide strategic oversight to space allocation plans to align plant utilization with business strategy. Oversee development of concepts, estimates, and statements of work to ensure successful implementation of projects. Accountable for directing department to achieve company goals, while increasing productivity and… Show more Coordinate and manage a department of professionals. Direct execution of concurrent multi-million dollar projects and energy conservation programs across multiple locations. Provide strategic oversight to space allocation plans to align plant utilization with business strategy. Oversee development of concepts, estimates, and statements of work to ensure successful implementation of projects. Accountable for directing department to achieve company goals, while increasing productivity and controlling costs.• Manage owned and leased 1,000,000 sq. ft. facility portfolio, maximizing existing footprint utilization while remaining flexible to adapt to changes in program awards and business fluctuations. Allocate and oversee $10 - $15 million capital budget to maintain and improve the organization’s assets while maximizing the value of the investment.• Business segment growing 250% required additional manufacturing space to support booked revenue. Facilitated definition and characterization of requirements with customer and, utilizing lean manufacturing techniques, developed solution which reduced the investment by $2.7M.• Implemented project-planning system resulting in improved financial analysis and reporting to manage $4 million of additional capital, while reducing headcount. Created live project status allowing project managers to identify risks and project expected cash flow, rolling up into capital budgets and annual performance metrics.• Strategically define and analyze capital funding requests as well as generate business cases and financial justification to ensure every project executed adds value to the organization, and the investments are the best use of each dollar spent. Show less

Henrietta, Ny

Directed a department of project managers and engineers across multiple divisions, overseeing the implementation of multi-million dollar industrial manufacturing automation systems. Involved in conceptual development, estimation, and sales support for detailed proposal creation. Tasked with driving departmental alignment to achieve company objectives of enhancing productivity and controlling costs, as reflected in business unit financials.Cultivated a reputation for delivering… Show more Directed a department of project managers and engineers across multiple divisions, overseeing the implementation of multi-million dollar industrial manufacturing automation systems. Involved in conceptual development, estimation, and sales support for detailed proposal creation. Tasked with driving departmental alignment to achieve company objectives of enhancing productivity and controlling costs, as reflected in business unit financials.Cultivated a reputation for delivering high-quality, cost-efficient technological solutions, fostering business development, and establishing key partnerships with customers and suppliers. Leveraged a solid foundation in structured engineering design principles to effectively lead engineering teams, demonstrating a blend of technical acumen and leadership essential for driving organizational strategy and execution.• Implemented a project scheduling system, enhancing resource allocation to manage an additional $8.4 million revenue with less than a 50% staff increase, reducing annual overtime by $135K and improving delivery times.• Reorganized historically underachieving engineering department, introducing skill-building and innovative practices, resulting in elevated customer satisfaction, market penetration, and sustained annual revenue increases of almost $2 million for six consecutive years.• Led the design and development of the company's first standard product line, generating an additional revenue stream of over $1 million annually, balancing resource utilization during workload peaks.• Created a customer tracking database that automated estimating and proposal development, reducing proposal development time from 6 hours to 30 minutes and order processing time from 2 hours to 15 minutes, promoting standardized organization. Show less

Victor, Ny

• Developed an automated spreadsheet for generating bills of materials and 3D drawings, resulting in an annual cost reduction of $195K in engineering design and enabling automatic custom equipment pricing.• Created an automated database to control job order flow, tracking, history, production planning, quoting, and automatic faxing of quote follow-ups, resulting in increased throughput of 15% with a consistent size workforce.• Launched a new equipment line, enhancing gross… Show more • Developed an automated spreadsheet for generating bills of materials and 3D drawings, resulting in an annual cost reduction of $195K in engineering design and enabling automatic custom equipment pricing.• Created an automated database to control job order flow, tracking, history, production planning, quoting, and automatic faxing of quote follow-ups, resulting in increased throughput of 15% with a consistent size workforce.• Launched a new equipment line, enhancing gross profit by 24.6% compared to the previous line, improving design quality, and reducing warranty claims, indicative of product innovation and profitability management. Show less

Buffalo/Niagara, New York Area

• Addressed a major manufacturing bottleneck by developing a custom, adaptable fixture to run 70% of the products, increasing throughput by 17% and reducing inventory, showcasing problem-solving and process optimization skills.• Identified and resolved a constraint in the finishing line by reallocating resources, achieving a sustainable 10% throughput increase, demonstrating resource management and operational efficiency.

Orchard Park, Ny

• Developed a custom program to automate a 17 hour burn-in quality test on a military aircraft FLIR assembly, according to government specifications. The solution eliminated manual errors resulting in an increased throughput of 13%, while reducing annual operating costs by $107,500.

Mba, Executive Program, Concentration In Finance, Economics, Strategy, 3.85 Gpa

Activities and Societies: Beta Gamma Sigma High Honor Society Among Top 10% in Class

Bs, Mechanical Engineering