Passionate about driving growth and innovation in the manufacturing sector! As a Business Advisor at South Dakota Manufacturing & Technology Solutions (SDMTS), I collaborate with small and medium-sized manufacturers, empowering them to thrive in today's dynamic business environment.

Responsible for developing a team that is responsible for the optimization, design, and implementation of manufacturing processes, equipment and plant. Driving continuous improvement in process design, cost savings, quality and resource utilization.

We design and implement automation and robotic integration, while taking a wholistic approach using lean techniques to ensure success of the project.

• TAP Robotics Business Advisor for SDMTS• Consult with South Dakota manufacturers about workforce shortages and how to solve them with automation• Assess manufacturers’ readiness for automation• Implement strategic automation into facilities• Help businesses and manufacturers increase productivity and become more competitive • Integrate collaborative robotics with other technologies

● Provided Lean consulting, tooling, and advanced automation development and implementation. ● Developed robotic welding system for a variety of different applications utilizing various integrators. ● Developed automated control systems including design, assembly, programming, and installation. ● Designed tooling, including tool and dies, welding fixtures, assembly fixtures and tools. ● Consulted for Lean Manufacturing, assisting in Kaizen events and optimizing cell layout. ● Assisted in industrial equipment and capital good appropriations proving ROI and implementation plan.● Assessed companies with general manufacturing engineering needs and advice. ● Redesigned products for manufacturability primary for robotic friendly weldments. ● Developed implementation plan for capital appropriations and followed through with installation. ● Responsible for profit and loss.

• Managed results driven team of Engineers, Technicians, Interns, Leads and production employees. • Managed pilot builds and production launches.• Created and implemented policies, procedures and standard work instructions. • Assisted with creating annual capital budget and implementation plan.• Justified capital appropriations and managed installation of robotic welding cells, plasma punches, folders, press breaks and tooling projects. • Assisted in new product development, design for manufacturing and revealing and eliminating production difficulties. • Optimized layout to maximize space, increases efficiency and utilize point of use inventory. • Conducted multiple Kaizen Events in a team oriented environment. • Trouble shooting complex production and quality issues, utilizing 5 Whys and 8D.• Created and implemented engineering change orders and change requests. • Used lean techniques to reduce wastes and increase productivity and profitability. • General manufacturing support, quickly responding to issues and difficulties on the shop floor, working as a team to keep production going and minimizing down time.• Designed, purchased, and implemented tooling; emphasizing design intent. • Managed contractors involved with MRO and expansions through contracts and project completion.• Trained and developed employees focusing on growth.

• Negotiated costs with vendors and cut purchase orders to reduce costs and increase timeliness.• Provided outside sales with technical and pricing assistance.• Strategically managed multiple projects simultaneously focusing on critical timelines, strict deadlines, customer satisfaction and profit margin.• Compiled documentation requested by customers to fill contractual obligations (Submittals)• Engineered efficient flow control systems emphasizing efficiency and maximizing repeatability.• Worked with electric, pneumatic & electro pneumatic systems. • Provided ultimate customer satisfaction with direct customer contact.• Identified and pursued potential growth opportunities to increase business and expand product base. • Assisted in contract negotiations and ensured that all contractual obligations were upheld.

• Provided Industrial Engineering support to an ISO 9000 certified manufacturing facility. • Developed processes and assembly methods• Created and maintained routings and bill of material’s (BOM’s).• Justified and acquired capital equipment.• Developed layouts to improve process flow and product costs and maintained these layouts.• Identified and implemented process improvements that reduced product costs and improve quality and delivery. • Assisted with Kaizen Blitzes to reduce manufacturing costs, labor, and materials input as well as to achieve improvements in morale.• Five-S Process Evaluation, increased efficiency and house keeping.• PPM (picture process maps), to clarify process procedures.• ECR’s (Engineering Change Requests), updated and created AutoCAD and Pro Engineer drawings.• Utilized Kanban and other Six Sigma strategies to improve inventory, quality control and process efficiency.• Created Harnesses, Lanyards and various mechanical assemblies in Pro-E and AutoCAD