Project Engineer

Rick A. Ball

**** ******** ******* ***** ( Cynthiana, KY 41031

[C] 859-***-**** ( ********************@*****.***

LinkedIn.com: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/rick-ball/15/a1a/3b1

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Overview / Objective

Extensive career in Engineering / Project Management with across-the-

board experience in project start-up and expansion operations, project

plan development, process improvement, body accuracy analysis and body

fit problem countermeasuring, budgeting, scheduling, team leadership and

cross-functional collaboration. Strong foundation in Honda's renowned BP

(Best Price-Position-Productivity-Product-Partner) lean manufacturing

methodologies. Computer adaptable (MS Excel, PowerPoint, engineering

programs). Loyal, persistent, flexible, dedicated, capable.

Core Strengths

? Leadership Skills: Project Management (proven ability to meet

critical time/budget constraints) . . . staff/team supervision,

training, mentoring . . . process, quality, safety and cost

initiatives, including process improvement . . . cross-functional

collaboration (internal, domestic and foreign partners/suppliers).

? Technical: Tooling design/development, fabrication, troubleshooting,

scheduling, cost estimations, negotiations . . . skilled in advanced

tooling concepts and leading edge tooling tracking methodologies . . .

engineering change analysis, cost estimations, process improvements,

body accuracy improvements, proposals, negotiations . . . equipment

design and evaluation, specifications, layout development . . .

component design/development, Quality Maturation Plan Development,

drawing analysis, process recognition . . . compliance review, testing,

scheduling (FMVSS, JMOT, EC, EPA).

Engineering Experience

GENERAL ELECTRIC, INC., Louisville, KY (September 2010-February 2011)

( SENIOR ADVANCED MFG. ENGINEER

Worked within a large project group assisting appliance component

designers in making their concepts into an economically produced and

manufacturable stamping. For tooling and equipment processing, worked with

suppliers in establishing die process and fabrication schedules. Duties

also included working in a plant-wide project group investigating the

economic feasibility of renovating GE's internal stamping capabilities

including efforts to 5S the facility, determine rebuilding old existing

presses versus buying new or used press equipment.

LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.., Lexington, KY (June 2007-November 2009)

( PROCUREMENT MFG. ENGINEER, PS&SD, Supplies Commodities Engineering (2007-

Nov. 2009)

Coordinate plastic, stampings and plastic welding tooling and part

maturation from initial drawing issuance, and tooling procurement through

mass production tooling completion, made in China.

( Collaborate with international Lexmark manufacturing facilities in

Mexico and China, and with their plastic suppliers on review of part

manufacturability, tooling process, hands-on equipment debugging and

improve cost efficiencies for proceses and equipment/tool cost..

< Responsible to support and train Lexmark international corporate

engineers to establish their self reliance endeavors.

< Primary engineer in initializing the idea of, spec'ing necessary

equipment, setting up and coordinating a plastics welding lab at the

corporate location.

TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MFG., NORTH AMERICA (TEMA), Erlanger, KY (2000-

2007)

( PRODUCTION ENGINEERING SPECIALIST, Supplier Production Engineering

Center (2005-2007)

Coordinate Tooling and Quality Maturation from Simultaneous Engineering

(drawing review/analysis prior to prototype development) to trial stage

production (2W). Collaborate with outside domestic/foreign OEM

stamping/welding suppliers on review of part manufacturability, body fit

issues, tooling process and cost efficiencies.

( ENGINEERING / PROJECT MANAGEMENT, Stamping Engineering / Body Production

(2000-05)

Recruited to join engineering team, serving as departmental (thus North

American) Project Leader for TEMA die development activities (stamping

dies, hem dies, ancillary equipment; coordination of repairs,

modifications and ECI implementations) for the current Tacoma and Avalon,

the former Step-side Tundra and the previous generation Sienna mini-van.

Held overall responsibility for budgeting (development, tracking,

reporting), scheduling (die fabrication, testing, production

coordination), class A surface reviews, project meetings (including TV

conferencing, on and off-site meetings), project books

(prepared/maintained for ECI tracking, budget and overall project data)

and project status reports (presentations to senior management).

Rick A. Ball R sum /Page

Two

( As department liaison, participated in cross-functional department

meetings (R&D, Simultaneous Engineering), providing input and

coordinating feedback/reporting to engineers and management.

( Special project management included six-month on-site

transition/implementation of stamping die sets and ancillary equipment

for the 500N to Indiana Stamping and Welding Departments. Served as

both Die Engineer and Project Leader during times of departmental

manpower constraints.

( Coordinated first production of proto-die-less Hood S/As for Toyota

Technical Center and other TEMA and TMM-Indiana customers from ordering

to final shipment.

HONDA OF AMERICA, MFG., Marysville / East Liberty, OH (1988-00)

( PRODUCT ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, Auto Quality Group (1996-00)

Led in ongoing development of door assemblies and other exterior

components for the 1999-2002 Acura TL models (solely coordinated initial

review of exterior component drawings of the TL). Expertise included

stamping and welding components, class A surface reviews, painting

aspects, rubber extrusion, roll forming, and plastic injection. Attended

Tooling and Quality Maturation Assembly events in Honda's new model

headquarters in Japan.

< Served as strategic liaison between OEM suppliers, Honda R&D and in-

house departments to ensure production of a cost effective, high-

quality body and trim parts and door assembly that met and in many

cases, exceeded all "quality expectations." Reviewed CATIA 2D/3D

drawings, identified design flaws and negotiated engineering changes.

( COMPLIANCE, Certification Department, Auto Quality Group (1993-96)

Coordinated safety testing, documentation and other required tasks for

new and current production models to ensure compliance with federal and

industry regulations (FMVSS, JMOT, EC, EPA). Reviewed engineering

changes for compliance with federal/industry certification and

regulations.

As departmental Project Leader (for 1997 Acura CL), developed

Certification Plan, established budgets, scheduled test unit build and

testing to meet critical mass production deadlines.

( Provided primary focus on enabling new model launch with "zero"

outstanding regulation issues.

( Conducted numerous presentations to senior management, providing

budgeting, test vehicle order proposals, and ongoing project status

reports.

( SUPPLIER SUPPORT / DEVELOPMENT, Purchasing Department (1988-93)

Provided technical and leadership support to suppliers on new model and

domestically expanded stamping tooling and weld equipment programs

(1990/1994 Accords, 1992/1993 Civics). As Engineering Coordinator,

coordinated with OEM suppliers to ensure timely start-up of metal

stamping/tooling operations, monitored activities, and

identified/negotiated cost reduction initiatives.

( Initiated/implemented ongoing major cost reduction program (Offal

Project), saving Honda $1M per year. Awarded promotion and senior

management recognition.

< Involved in multiple cost reduction/quality up projects with stamping,

rubber and plastic suppliers including within Honda's BP Program;

improving production lines through process, safety, quality and cost

initiatives.

Additional past experience: Tooling Designer, Pressware International,

Inc., Columbus, OH (1984-88) - developed custom packaging designs for

manufacture of conventional oven/microwave paperboard food trays.

Toolmaker, The Nippert Company, Inc., Delaware, OH (1977-84) - tool

fabrication in support of manufacture of copper machined parts and

extruded copper wire.

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Franklin University,

Columbus, OH,; 3.5/4.0 GPA, 1987

A.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Design Option, Marion Technical College,

Marion, OH.; 3.76/4.0 GPA,1982

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