Whitmore Custom Homes is a family-owned, fixed-price luxury homebuilder with over 10 years of experience crafting high-end homes across Michigan.

Luxe Custom Cabinetry partners with designers and residential builders to design cabinetry that is tailored to the wants and desires of the end user. Made just for the customer, right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Business development and early stage project management, responsible for alternative energy focused client base.

MBA - Emphasis in General ManagementAchieved 'Highest Distinction' Recognition

Led a cross-functional, global project team from project definition through launch for the redesign of our flagship solar-module, integrating product and process design to eliminate the top four causes of warranty claims while reducing product cost by 5%.International experience coaching the production launch team at our factory, located in Mexico, through installation and validation of the manufacturing process, resulting in the company's first successful PPAP as well as both UL and TUV certifications.Developed the company's first all-inclusive stage-gate process as a member of the PMO, requiring candid reporting of project status and collaboration between functions that had previously worked independently, reducing late term issues and associated delays.

Led 14 supervisors and 210 production associates through the cultural transition that was necessary as we changed from a R & D facility to a world class manufacturing facility, achieving 50% reduction in scrap and 20% throughput improvement.Collaborated with the purchasing and material management teams to implement a JIT material delivery system between the warehouse and production floor, eliminating fork truck traffic and the associated hazards while reducing on floor inventory by 95%.Identified opportunities to reduce cost through integrated changes to direct material specifications and internal manufacturing processes, collaborated with suppliers and plant engineering to make necessary changes resulting in annual savings of $3.2M.Conducted performance reviews to address issues related to team behavior, focusing on fairness, with corrective action and development plans for future growth.

Led team of salaried and hourly engineers with responsibility for all drive shaft manufacturing processes in the facility.Generated an action plan and led the cross-functional implementation in response to a pair of major quality spills that reached our customer, presented the plan and regular status updates directly to the customer, satisfying requirements for corrective action.Led the engineering team through process development, procurement, and validation planning for capital equipment that was needed to support a key product launch, re-purposing existing equipment to reduce capital outlay by 20% while improving product quality over existing process.

Led three supervisors through the implementation of a new 'Fast-Response' quality system, we trained all sixty team members on the process and empowered them to correct issues that were identified, leading to a 65% scrap reduction.Successfully managed the UAW relationship to maintain flexibility while reducing grievances.

Completed the installation, validation, and launch of an $8.5M automated grinding line that reduced scrap by 75% while reducing labor by 75%.Lead the development and implementation of initiatives to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).Worked with production team to create detailed machine set-up and operation instructions, continually improving on the processes as the team identified ways to accomplish tasks more efficiently.Developed and implemented a manufacturing plan for new product utilizing new and existing capital.

Led team of 20 skilled tradesmen in a UAW environmentSet daily job priorities and coordinated assignments for the maintenance team to best support the needs of the manufacturing teamPlanned and led preventative maintenance on critical machinery during a shutdown period, meeting the tight time constraints allowed and accomplishing 100% of the planned maintenance.

Learned the importance of building a professional network while working with the UAW workforce on second shift. I was the only engineering support working second shift during a critical product launch, the production team members were my professional support network.My curiosity and persistent desire to learn from the production team earned their respect and allowed me to accomplish tasks that others could not accomplish. I was able to engage the workers in the tasks at hand through my questions to them and my respect for their opinions and experience.