Robert Drake Email & Phone Number

Develop new green energy production and storage technologies. Manage product development, bid and manage grid-scale 1-10 Megawatt installations. Build relationships with utilities and commission full systems.

I design monitoring systems for the transport of high value goods, including pharmaceuticals, around the world. We help ensure compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act, so people will always receive fresh, healthy food to eat. We triage and manage essential worldwide supply chain issues, responding to challenges created by COVID-19. Developed product assembly and quality control work stations on the manufacturing floor. Mentored junior engineers. Characterized motion paths and g forces for on floor automation cells including Fanuc robotics.

I worked with a diverse team to evaluate an oral form of insulin and develop a business plan for selling embedded devices used to monitor patient compliance with CROW boots (for Charcot foot deformities). We surveyed medical professionals to determine need for improved patient compliance and looked at Medicare reimbursement data to determine the best market approach for this product. I developed maintainable, data-driven financial models to set device and data subscription price points. I became familiar with medical billing, government health care data reporting, and medical funding. We delivered several presentations on our plans and conducted client training on our financial models.

Madison, In, Us

As a lead engineer at Grote, a world leader in automotive safety systems, I led North American, European, and Chinese co-workers and developed strong bonds of friendship, cultural understanding, and a highly effective team. Led Teams of Mechanical, Electrical, Quality, Software, and Manufacturing Engineers. Developed product specs and marketing with Business Development Manager. Ensured compliance with lean manufacturing objectives with manufacturing and quality engineers. Using my computer science and manufacturing experience, I was the engineer in charge of Grote’s transition into smart systems. I assembled teams, led engineering teams using, New Product Introduction (NPI) processes. I architected Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Tractor Trailer Fleet Monitoring System. System comprised vehicle & battery powered onboard devices, Bluetooth-Wifi-Cellular Internet Connected Gateways, Database-driven website for Fleet Management & Business Intelligence Analytics, and iOS/Android Apps. As Lead Engineer I was responsible for combined revenue commitments of $14m in 2016. Lead engineer on flagship white lighting project. Lead engineer for transition of large revenue product family from contract manufacturer into new company owned China production facilities. Established quality standards for products, worked with QMS (Quality Management Systems, ISO 9001/14001), and followed six sigma practices. Tested electronics and software to U.S. SAE, DOT, European ECE, and Chinese CNCA/CCC standards. Performed HALT (Highly Accelerated Life Testing), environmental, chemical compatibility, and EMC/EMI (Electromagnetic Compatibility/Electromagnetic Interference) testing. Worked with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and TUV laboratories.

Scottsburg, In, Us

I was CTO and co-founder of this optical R&D and manufacturing company. We started out as two colleagues performing contract work and grew into a $4 million per year company with 20 employees. I recruited and managed engineering and production teams and oversaw intellectual property development and patent submissions. We raised $6 million in investment capital and provided lighting products and services to the Oscars, Golden Globes, the final NASA shuttle launch, Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Diego Zoo, and other premier facilities. We developed control systems that helped the U.S. and allied militaries train in electromagnetic and urban operations.During my work with Stray Light Optical Technologies I worked with NASA engineers and Sandia National Labs to create fuel-cell powered, high efficiency, high spectrum lighting solutions. We provided lighting through numerous applications, focusing on providing appropriate natural spectrums to create good health and wellness in both people and animals. I used my knowledge of human physiology to develop systems that adjusted ambient lighting conditions throughout the day to reduce eye strain and fatigue and improve attentiveness and visual acuity. Similarly we provided optimal animal health via systems that restored appropriate circadian rhythms. Communicating with several agencies, I enhanced my interpersonal skills, particularly among alpha-type, highly intelligent people significantly senior to me in age and position. I learned a lot about de-escalation, constructive negotiation, and how to be a diffuser of tensions and a proposer of alternate approaches. I found ways to step back, revisit problems, and quickly find efficient and practical solutions, often under time pressure. I was proud of handling this role well and maintained excellent working relationships after the fact. I developed manufacturing and automation work cells in the production area.

As CTO of Job Orchard, a firm specializing in career training and job placement applications, I worked with city, county, and state economic development agencies, work placement agencies, schools, and businesses to map local training assets and employer needs. We developed algorithmic matching and web-based user interfaces to enable students and underemployed individuals to receive the exact training and certifications needed by local employers. We helped increase use of underutilized local certification programs by employers with a focus on making the training programs financially self-sustaining after initial grant periods.

Bloomington, Us

Cook Pharmica specialized in monoclonal antibody-based drug production. I earned hands on experience in harvesting active pharmaceutical compounds from Chinese hamster ovary cells, as well as making the equipment that made it possible. I performed sterilization and air quality control processes and deployed large scale control systems. I conducted design, verification and validation of production piping and bioreactor systems, integrating them with material resource planning and preventative maintenance software. I also collaborated on the development of GLP, GCP, cGMP, and FDA-compliant processes and documentation.

Terre Haute, In, Us

I fabricated implantable insulin pump components in operating room-like micro-electromechanicalsystems cleanrooms. Working on creating continuous glucose monitors, I learned about biochemistry as well as the diabetes epidemic. I came to understand the costs of treatment non-compliance and how to improve health outcomes, particularly for the under-served, through technology and education.

Crane, Indiana, Us

I used micro fabrication techniques under cleanroom conditions to improve the reliability of airborne naval guidance systems. I engaged in secure procedures on military bases dealing with multinational team members. I followed strict procedures for handling highly explosive materials to ensure the safety of everyone in the lab. I documented the fabrication process and established a plan for follow up research, development, and commercialization. This project taught me the value of working with highly focused, procedure driven, small groups for brief periods to accomplish tasks with life and death consequences. This instilled a high level of confidence and seriousness in me.

Performed NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) modeling and simulation on automotive components. Developed vibration and harmonics modeling software for passenger car and large truck exhaust systems.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Business Administration, Management And Operations

Bachelor'S Degree, Mechanical Engineering

Analog Signal Processing And Electromagnetics

Microbiology And Immunology

Education record

Spanish Language And Literature