Project Manager Management
Resume:
Paul Richard Vragel
Evanston, IL 60202
*******@****************.***
EXPERIENCE
4aBetterBusiness, Inc. & Predecessor Company, Evanston, IL 1989-
Present
President
Plan, lead, facilitate and direct implementation of large-scale operations
improvement / operational excellence transformations to support company
strategic objectives, involving all functions and levels of a business,
incorporating organization-wide lean and Six Sigma principles and
practices. Rapidly achieve substantial and sustainable cost reductions and
improved productivity, flexibility and change processes. Lead creation of
operating processes and cultural environment for ready acceptance and
integration of improvement technologies (Lean Everywhere, Six Sigma, Theory
of Constraints) into daily activities, and ongoing, successful
implementation. Develop immediate, enthusiastic management and employee
engagement and buy-in (participation, contribution and their ownership of
results). Use systems thinking and systems engineering approach to link
process actions and capabilities to accomplishment of strategic objectives,
improve outcomes in complex situations. Establish process maturity
roadmaps for ongoing improvement and innovation in processes and execution.
Lead, facilitate and guide management, cross-functional and other client
teams; transfer expertise for ongoing innovation in processes and
execution. Develop organization-wide and focused area KPIs, metrics,
analytics and dashboards to evaluate operating results and measure, monitor
and improve outcomes. Identify, evaluate, recommend, coordinate
installation, develop and deliver training for organization-wide technology
systems to support strategic objectives (e.g., Document Repository,
Business Intelligence, others). Wrote, developed, produced and sold
commercially computer-based training systems for Process Management, Root
Cause Analysis, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, Internal Auditing for
Improved Performance, ISO 9001 Overview, ISO/TS 16949 Overview. Lead first-
attempt achievement of value-added quality system certifications to
multiple standards, and a state-level Baldrige award.
Representative client results:
. With a leading designer / developer / manufacturer of complex electro-
mechanical/software/optic products sold to the global
defense/aerospace industry, led development of organization-wide "lean
everywhere" processes that took company in 9 months from operationally-
challenged to achieving highest ratings across the board in a
comprehensive US Army program audit. Streamlined product development
processes, including (for hardware and software) requirements capture,
proposal development, program management, product design &
development, verification & validation, change & configuration
management (consolidating multiple systems) and release to production.
Reduced engineering changes >50%; raised program profit potential.
Facilitated identification of Six Sigma projects that produced rapid
declines in manufacturing errors and field failures. Achieved value-
added, first-attempt ISO 9001:2000 certification. Processes in place
added millions of dollars to the valuation when the company was sold
to a Fortune 500 strategic buyer. Buyer adopted company practices in
lieu of their own.
. Reduced Engineer-to-Order time by 85%, while error-proofing
configuration management and development of production documentation
. Error-proofed custom product development process
. Within 6 months increased manufacturing company earnings 30% through
development of "lean everywhere" thinking and action (every function,
every process, every level), achieving sustainable cost reductions and
improvements in productivity, delivery time and quality. Company was
able to pursue and achieve within 1 year their first new business with
Toyota. Supported a doubling of sales without adding management &
support staff. Tripled earnings within 18 months. .
. For a Japanese-owned company serving Japanese customers, established
organization-wide next-level operating practices and processes which
reduced labor costs by 9%, improved key operating productivity by 30%,
achieved 5 sigma operating performance in key activities, and achieved
customer satisfaction turnaround.
. Led development and implementation of multi-site process-driven
management and operating systems, incorporating both standardization
of key processes and local flexibility to meet unique operating needs
Paul Richard Vragel - Continued (page 2 of 3)
Amoco Corporation, Chicago, IL 1973-1989
Supervisor, Hardware Evaluations, IT Department
1987-1989
. Conceived system and led team in development of a company-wide
technology management support system that reduced technical and
commercial risk while improving the effectiveness of technology
adoption. Engaged the willing contribution of thousands of employees
worldwide. Received special company award and bonus for innovation.
. Managed IT projects and financial analysis supporting Refining,
Marketing and Exploration and Production, facilitating participation
and contribution across departments and management levels. Facilitated
Joint Application Development (JAD) sessions.
. Negotiated non-disclosure, evaluation, volume purchase and other
agreements
Senior Analyst, IT Department 1984-1987
. Reduced financial risk and improved data center operating flexibility;
led analysis and implementation of changes to cross-functional
transaction processing (including IT, Law, Finance) which reduced
transaction processing time from 8 weeks to overnight.
. Conducted financial evaluations for lease vs. purchase; negotiated
leasing contracts
Planning & Financial Analyst, Marine Department
1982-1984
. Prepared replacement plan for international oil tanker fleet including
coordination with production and refining divisions, analysis of ship
construction and scrapping markets, ship selection and review of
specifications, financial and sensitivity analysis, recommendations &
justification, and management presentation
. Developed worldwide transportation options and cost study for a
division that had acquired a coal company, which focused division
strategy based on their competitive position
. Reduced capital by $75 MM for an $85 MM offshore ship-based oil
production project proposed by an international production division,
through data analysis and additional operating insights; increased
production 5%. Plan adopted by the division as their own.
. Led evaluations in support of complex production-department projects
in worldwide locations (US, Europe, Africa, China), including
technical, operational & financial analysis.
. Developed budget variance analysis system that improved performance
monitoring
Naval Architect, Marine Department 1973-
1982
. Managed overseas ship construction program in developing country
environment (Spain) performing technical evaluations and directing
activities with shipyard, field support office, suppliers, regulatory
agencies and others throughout Europe
. Owners representative for model testing, machinery testing, dock
testing, sea trials
. Technical and financial analysis resulting in re-engining (turbine to
diesel) of a large tanker (VLCC); presented paper at annual Society of
Naval Architects and Marine Engineers meeting
. Carried out forensic analysis of domestic and international marine
accidents, in support of law department. Led teams in international
projects for remedial action.
Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock, Newport News, VA
1972-1973
Manager, Production Department
. Project Manager for successful development of the first computer-aided
flame-cutting machine (coordinated computer software development,
machinery development, technical and operational issues regarding
flame cutting - and rollout among departments)
EDUCATION
1982. Masters in Business Administration, University of Chicago
Booth School of Business
1972. BS, Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, Webb Institute
of Naval Architecture
(ABET-Accredited Institution) Salutatorian.
Paul Richard Vragel - Continued (page 3 of 3)
PRESENTATIONS, PRESS, HONORS & RECOGNITION
. Presentations at conferences including International Lean / Six Sigma,
Indiana Business
Modernization and Technology Corporation (BMT),
International Trade Association of
Greater Chicago, other trade and industry conferences
. Exclusive profile in Chicago Daily Herald newspaper, Finishers
Management magazine
. Bylined articles in 7 publications
. Trained ISO 9000 Lead Assessor
. Selected as Fast 50 Candidate by FastCompany magazine
. Recognized as "Pro to Know" for Process-Based Improvement
. Case Study on client Promax by iGrafix (unit of Corel)
. Case Study on client Venest Industries by the Automotive Industries
Action Group
OVERVIEW OF INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Manufacturing & Engineering
. Defense / Government Contracting
. Light/Heavy
. Discrete / Process
. To Stock / To Order
. Automotive / Truck Parts
. Aerospace Electronics
. Oil & Gas / Resource Extraction
. Capital Equipment (with software)
. Electroplating
. Machined Product
. Custom Assembly
. Ship Design & Construction
. Ship / Power Plant Operations
. Railway Industry
Transportation / Distribution / Logistics
. High Volume Distribution / Warehousing
. Third Party Logistics (3PL)
. Value Added Distribution
. Rail & Port Systems
. Marine Transportation
. Freight Forwarding
Services
. Engineering Services
. Construction Projects
. Forensic Engineering
. Publishing / Media
. Software Development
. Financial Services
. Pension Administration
. Insurance
. Technology Management
. New Venture Evaluation
. Project-Driven Business
. Administration in Non-Profits
. Training
International Experience
. US
. Canada
. Europe (many locations)
. Asia (Japan, Singapore)
High Proficiency in use of MS Office, Process Mapping (Visio, iGrafx),
Business Intelligence, Training Development, Project Management, more...
Learn new technologies quickly through use
Contact this candidate