Joe Laura

Livonia, MI C: 248-***-**** acvvvm@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/joelaura

Areas of Expertise:

Business Development • Operational Infrastructure • Program Management

Product and Service Development • Support Systems • Six Sigma Green Belt

Business Analytics • Internal Communications • Vendor Management

Strategic Planning • Product Launch • Change Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PEERLESS OF AMERICA 2015-2016

President, CEO

Hired to restructure organization & increase revenues for this $20+ Million manufacturing company.

Identified new customers, creating aggressive capture plans to increase revenues by 60% in the first year.

Reorganized staff to streamline organization for maximum performance eliminating non-essential staff, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Implemented new manufacturing plans, rewrote quality manual, increasing high quality efficient products.

Created operation budget and rewrote corporate business plan.

JENOPTIK ADVANCED SYSTEMS, LLC 2012-2014

President

Hired to develop plans for North America and identify business opportunities in the US and Canada.

Identified budget discrepancies, developed new budget that reflected real numbers for sustainable growth.

Reorganized teams, focusing on high performance subject matter experts while saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in non-essential staff.

Wrote and revised sales commission schedules and selling guidelines in IR camera section; developed environment of accountability, while lowering talent attrition.

Recruited and developed expert teams at 4 US locations and rolled out strategy to exceed $100M by 2017.

Streamlined communications systems between US locations and German HQ, developed performance dashboards and created transparency company-wide.

Leveraged existing relationships to secure contract with Tognum America for $518,000/per annum, exceeding first year target by over 70%.

Recruited and hired local companies for tradeshows and large events; used own displays for smaller shows which resulted in savings exceeding $300K.

Developed relationships with General Dynamics & BAE for Armored Combat Vehicle for SF 180 Generator & 450kw Integrated Starter System with projected sales of $130k/yr. for 5 years.

Partnered with VP of Marketing from parent company in Europe to set up North American website for Jenoptik Advanced Systems.

Won DCS Corp. contract for US Government for DC/DC Convertor Development, $800k/yr. over 5 years.

Established CRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement) with TARDEC/TACOM for Generators – created Research & Development Business with Government.

Worked with MI National Guard to develop Micro Grid Power System for Camp Grayling that would be used as prototype for US Posts.

ROCKWELL COLLINS 2008-2011

Business Development Manager

Developed contact plan and strategy, gaining leadership approval to penetrate DHS market primarily through National Guard Contact Points established for all 50 states and territories as well as the NG Bureau and Northern Command.

Exploited International Market, leading to the development of opportunities that amounted to $54M.

Worked with Program Manager to develop Land Air Wind Sensor (LAWS) Program for army snipers and artillery; market potential for RC is $323M with initial development & engineering funds approved by senior RC management.

Joe Laura

Livonia, MI C: 248-***-**** acvvvm@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/joelaura

FORD MOTOR COMPANY 2005-2008

Steel Board Program Manager

Led cross-functional team to save $300M in steel costs through better steel utilization, exceeding first year goal by 37%.

Developed new coatings and steel production process which reduced the number of steel components used to build cars and trucks; combined, exceeded first year target savings of $220M by $80M.

Charged with leadership roles for special projects during time of financial volatility at Ford.

Implemented weight saving changes that reduced CAFÉ (Corporate Average Fuel Economy), igniting company-wide investment in smaller more efficient powertrains and weight reduction initiatives.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY 2003-2005

Combatt Program Manager

Created HMMWV-class prototype for U.S. government, exceeding project expectations; Ford awarded government contract to develop HMMWV replacement vehicle.

Directed all developmental aspects for vehicle to compete with Army’s HMMWV, managing a team of 40.

Wrote business plan addressing stringent client specifications, including specialized chassis design.

Manufactured prototypes deployed by U.S. Border Patrol, a $10M project.

Contracted by U.S. Army to develop innovative, commercially based tactical truck (COMBATT) hybrid. Army required lightweight, fuel-efficient hybrid truck; met all customer specifications and added unique fuel storage system to maximize travel distance.

US ARMY

Colonel, US Army Reserves

Served in Desert Storm. U.S. Army War College, Command & General-Staff, Airborne & Ranger graduate. Completed Military Police, Armor, Infantry, Field Artillery and Human Resources officer advanced courses. Commanded brigade and battalion units. Awarded Legion of Merit.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Program Manager, Ford Truck; Chief Product Analyst/Planner – Mustang, Ford Motor Company. Chief

Product Analyst – Ford Probe, Ford. Cycle Planning Analyst, Ford. Taurus/Lincoln Continental. Planner,

Ford. Financial Analyst, Ford. Engineer – Light Trucks, Ford. Led major internal initiatives to save and

revolutionize Mustang icon – on SN95 Mustang Skunks Works Team. Lead team that built Mach III – Won

‘Car of the Show’ award at Detroit and LA shows. Member of first Ford joint venture with Japanese Car

Company. Laid foundation for Ford’s manufacturing interface with Mazda.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

MBA, Finance, University of Detroit

MS, Strategic Studies, Penn State University

MS, Systems Management, University of Southern California

BS, Engineering U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Graduate U.S. Army War College

SERVICE, AWARDS, PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

Community:

Livonia City Council, Livonia Board of Education, Director – Livonia Family YMCA

Articles Published:

Parameters Journal, Army War College, United States Strategic Intents – sub-Sahara Africa

Speeches:

Program Management Seminar – presented to 1,000 U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen program sponsored by Ford Mustang

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