At the intersection of Philanthropy, the LGBTQ+ community, and Boating, FLoatarama is a South Florida 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support LGBTQ+ youth.We're partnered with the Our Fund Foundation, a leader in the LGBTQ+ philanthropic community, to ensure the funds we raise make the greatest impact in the community. We've granted over $140,000 to date to worthy local agencies aligned with our mission, with a goal of an additional $150,000 in 2024.https://floatarama.org

Connected Cars unlock the potential for anonymous data from millions of vehicles to provide deep understanding of in-vehicle listening – the holy grail of media analytics.More audio is heard in vehicles than anywhere else, yet in this digital age what people actually listen to is still unknown, and Media badly needs this intelligence.Drive Time Metrics (DTM) solves this with an analytics platform providing:1. Holistic in-vehicle listening analytics for Media2. New revenue streams and customer insights for Automotive3. Significant next-gen opportunities

Rod was approached by Elevate for his world class expertise and innovation within automotive and specifically the connected vehicle sector. He was selected to become a Founder Member of Elevate, the knowledge and inspiration platform.

Automotive "Connected Vehicle", Telematics, Infotainment, Navigation and Communications consultancy

Aha by Harman is a cloud-based “automotive grade” infotainment platform to bring web services safely and easily into vehicles. Recruited and led the global business development team that has successfully won deals with more than 10 automotive OEMs to date, including Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru, Porsche and others. Aha is already in 2+ million vehicles, and automotive manufacturers accounting for more than 50% of US industry have now launched their first Aha integrations.

Reinvigorated ITS America’s technical capability and expanded transportation research contract for U.S. DOT (RITA).

Charged with maximizing the business potential of the XM platform through the development of new capabilities & services, with particular focus on XM’s core Automotive business and OEM partners.Led development of XM Infotainment & Telematics strategy to increase value of the XM platform & drive OEM adoption, playing key “evangelist” role to win deals. XM won exclusive deals with Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Subaru, Porsche & widespread factory-fit as direct result.Led development & introduction of XM NavTraffic data traffic service, orchestrating efforts of automotive, navigation, digital map & traffic data industries to achieve optimum solution.XM NavTraffic adopted by GM, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Porsche, Ferrari plus aftermarket GPS brands (Garmin, Pioneer, Alpine & Kenwood), and established as the industry benchmark.Led development & introduction of XM WX Satellite Weather service, providing comprehensive real-time graphical weather “situational awareness” to critical markets (aviation, marine, emergency response), leveraging unique XM technology. XM WX established as industry standard weather service, factory installed in more than 80% of new General Aviation aircraft, generating annual incremental revenue of $30+ million.Won & implemented deals with AirTran, JetBlue and United to provide XM in-flight entertainment service. Service very well received by airlines & passengers, providing effective mass-market demonstration of XM service, delivering widespread marketing of XM brand and generating incremental revenue.

Responsible for Land Rover’s accessories business. Profit center accountability, with broad responsibility for product development, vendor purchase, marketing and business management.• Grew business by over 170%, surpassing $38 million annual revenue (2001).• Championed development and implementation of Land Rover strategy for in-vehicle navigation, infotainment and telematics systems.

Responsible for Electrical, Body and Chassis engineering groups, covering all aspects of Vehicle Engineering within the USA.• Pivotal role in innovative “Operation Pride” quality improvement program, with Land Rover achieving status of Most Improved Brand in J D Power vehicle quality survey as a direct result.• Architect of revised and expanded US engineering group, developing key focus to ensure all future vehicle platforms fully optimized for the North American market.

Developed and implemented extensive customer-focused pre-launch test & development program for new Range Rover, and managed engineering activities through subsequent vehicle launch phase.• Managed 12-month multi-site, multi-environment test operations from Arizona to Alaska, including logistics for 4 test bases, site-to-site movements and fluid team of 20-40 people.• Successfully delivered program within launch timeline and $1 million budget.

Turnaround Project Manager brought in to fix troubled low-volume MG R-V8 sports car program.• Conducted engineering project review, and established team to address identified deficiencies.• Resolved key vehicle engineering and vehicle build issues.• Revised vehicle development program to achieve successful launch with minimum delay.

Project Manager for innovative in-market multi-environment customer-focused test program for new Rover/Sterling vehicle program, with key focus on SRS Airbag (Rover’s first application of this technology).• Fully delivered program objectives within timeline and $750,000 budget requirements.• Established project template used for subsequent new vehicle test programs.

Team Leader for 15 person engineering team responsible for trim development of 4 car lines.• Supported pull-forward and expansion of vehicle facelift programs, necessitated by slow sales, by developing innovative parallel process approach to reduce development lead-time.• Achieved significant cost reduction and customer satisfaction improvement through a program of pro-active problem resolution, driven by warranty claim analysis & investigation.

Emergency trouble-shooting Project Leader at Italian diesel engine vendor, tasked with extraordinary measures necessary to deliver market-critical VM diesel engine installation in Rover 800 car line.• Introduction Total Quality Management philosophy & Statistical Process Control methodology.• Implemented extensive tolerance and detailed production engineering specification enhancement.• Achieved on-time production, with lower warranty costs than any Rover-produced engine.

Development, evaluation and implementation of product strategy for Rover 800 executive sector car line. Promoted up through positions of increasing responsibility in Group Product & Business Planning.