David E. Colburn
919-***-**** (office)
E-mail: abj02o@r.postjobfree.com 421 Dogwood Trail, Goldsboro, NC 27534
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Career Summary
A results-oriented, senior executive with more than twenty years of C-level global and domestic
operations experience in the manufacturing and IT industries with considerable expertise in the areas of
growth management, downsizing and turnarounds.
Core Competencies
• Operations Management Development
Consulting
• Strategic Planning
Global
Sales & Marketing
Mergers & Acquisitions
Turnaround/Restructuring
Public Company and Private Equity
Financial Management
• Complex Channel Management
Significant experience in manufacturing and technology sectors running global companies with revenues
from $8M to $7B
• Involved in almost every level of the automotive sectors from the OEM, aftermarket (three levels), HD,
retail, and consumer spanning all levels of management from CEO to engineering.
Sample of clients included GM, Ford, DCX, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Hyundai/Kia, Federal Mogul, Delphi,
Eaton, SKF, Timken, Dana, Xerox, Rolls Royce, Dell, Sun Microsystems, and Northrup Grumman.
Aftermarket customers including Napa, Carquest, AutoZone, and Pep Boys.
In the HD sector worked with Detroit Diesel, DCX, and Mack.
Retail sector on a global basis included Lowes, Sears, Wal-Mart, and Home Depot.
Expert in leading an approach to growth and opportunities that incorporates this experience into all
strategy reviews and decisions. International experience includes Germany, Sweden, France,
Switzerland, UK, Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico and Canada. In addition, have
spent considerable time involved with either negotiations or clients in Japan, Korea, India, Indonesia,
Thailand, China, Australia, New Zeeland, Hungary, Czech Republic, South Africa, Columbia, Argentina,
and Chile.
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Professional Experience
Smart Online (SOLN) Raleigh, NC 2007-2009
President/CEO
• A software development company for the SaaS market
• Hired from my role as an independent board member to provide SEC stability and turnaround of
struggling leadership.
Significant Achievements
• Settled SEC suit in 60 days
• Gained new clients and retained existing clients despite company struggles
Restructured management team and approach
Developed and implemented the company’s first operational budget plan
Raised new capital from private equity in less than 60 days
Consolidated organization and operations
David E. Colburn
919-***-**** (office)
E-mail: abj02o@r.postjobfree.com 421 Dogwood Trail, Goldsboro, NC 27534
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Electronic Data Systems (EDS) Plano, TX
President, Global Manufacturing Industry Practice 2004 – 2006
Area Director, Manufacturing - Automotive, Central Region 2003 – 2004
Vice President, EDS Global Industry Group 2002 – 2003
Vice President, Global Industrial Manufacturing, EDS Global Industry Group 2001 – 2002
EDS, a Fortune 100 company, is a $20 billion provider of business and technology solutions.
Innovation was a key component to growth whether through product and or processes. At EDS
responsibilities in these areas were the root of all of the growth helping to take Manufacturing revenues
from $4B to in access of $7B in a little over 3 years. The approach of utilizing technology to enable global
delivery of goods and services, design, engineering, and manufacturing was the cornerstone of this
success. The drive to improve manufacturing processes and drive cost improvements helped to provide
differentiation into the marketplace. Responsible for developing the global manufacturing industry
business and sales strategy covering the Automotive, Industrial Manufacturing, High Tech, and
Aerospace & Defense segments.
Significant Achievements
• Managed business development, created key CEO relationships, and defined technical solutions
• EDS Executive sponsor and major contributor to PLM market leader having negotiated initial
Alliance agreement for EDS.
Participated in many sales engagements and wins and responsible for a $7.1B
• Revenue target with deals ranging from $5M-$1.2B in size.
Del-Met Corporation Nashville, TN 2000 – 2001
President
Del-Met was a major supplier of plastic injected molded components to Tier I and Tier II Automotive
Industry OEMs. The corporation was comprised of four manufacturing divisions, two joint ventures, and a
design and engineering facility. Major customers included General Motors, Toyota, Nissan, JCI and Lear.
Responsible for restructuring operations to position the company for sale; completed sale and liquidation
in 2001.
Significant Achievements
• Developed strategic orientation
Established a quality operating environment (Six Sigma)
Provided hands on sales and marketing leadership
MTD Products, Inc. Cleveland, OH 1998 – 2000
President, MTD Automotive & Executive Vice President, MTD Products Inc.
MTD is a multi-billion dollar global supplier to the Automotive and Power Outdoor Equipment industry.
The Automotive Group was a leading manufacturer of engineered stamped products for the Automotive
OEMs including Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, and Toyota. Responsible for a $300 million
organization. Direct report to the MTD Chairman and elected to the Board of Directors. Hired to position
the company for sale; the company was sold in 2000.
Significant Accomplishments
• Developed strategic direction for $2B highly-seasonal, product-based retail organization with a customer
base of Lowes, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Sears.
• Restructured operations to reflect positive earnings from $20+ million loss over two years.
David E. Colburn
919-***-**** (office)
E-mail: abj02o@r.postjobfree.com 421 Dogwood Trail, Goldsboro, NC 27534
_____________________________________________________________________________________
• Oversaw all sales and marketing functions.
• Incorporated lean manufacturing, Toyota operating system, and the basis for Six Sigma Quality system
throughout the organization.
AP Parts International Inc. Toledo, OH 1995 - 1998
President, North American Aftermarket Division & Senior Vice President, APPI
APPI is a $500 million supplier to the worldwide automotive industry. Responsible for the profit and loss
of a $100 million aftermarket division of APPI directly reporting to the APPI Chairman. The aftermarket
division was a full line manufacturer of exhaust systems for the automotive aftermarket, retail mass
merchant, and OEM service markets as well as a packager and distributor of complete brake, chassis
and shock programs. Key customers included automotive retailers Sears and K-mart. Hired to turnaround
a historically troubled division; company sold in 1998.
Significant Accomplishments
• Provided an environment of hope, opportunity and pride to a company with a history of apathy.
Implemented the transition of manufacturing responsibilities to the Division and directed the move to
World Class Manufacturing.
Realized large gains in ongoing programs to reduce cost and improve cycle time by simplifying the
process and moving to team-based manufacturing.
Restructured the Sales & Marketing organization reducing 2 layers of management and improving
delivery.
Implemented the concept of value added decision making to all levels of management.
Sized the company to reduce break-even and positioned the company to yield a positive cash flow in
1996 from a loss of $4.0 MM in 1995.
Implemented a strategic planning focus.
Dana Corporation Toledo, OH 1988 - 1995
Executive Vice President, Krizman, Inc., Mishawaka, IN
Dana, a $7.7 billion, Tier 1 supplier and industry leader in the automotive aftermarket. Responsible for
Dana's international marketing efforts for APD companies ($400 million in sales) with total Profit and Loss
responsibility for Krizman INC., a manufacturer and distributor of automotive suspension, brake, and
engine components to the automotive aftermarket and Tier 1 markets. Served on Dana's acquisition
committee and developed the worldwide strategic plan for chassis parts.
Repcoparts Corporation Cerritos, CA 1984 - 1987
President
Major import parts company distributing hard parts to the traditional automotive aftermarket, i.e. engine,
chassis, clutch, brake/hydraulic, and ignition parts.
Early career includes increasing responsibility in marketing, sales and management
areas.
David E. Colburn
919-***-**** (office)
E-mail: abj02o@r.postjobfree.com 421 Dogwood Trail, Goldsboro, NC 27534
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Education
Roberts Wesleyan College Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts
Continuing Education
• University of Michigan, Strategic Marketing Planning & Computer Assisted Marketing Planning
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business, financial and accounting seminar
University of Illinois, Executive Development Program
Bowling Green University, Executive Development Programs
AAI - Automotive Aftermarket Sales & Marketing Program
Memberships and Affiliations
Bob Barker Company, Board of Directors, Compensation and Investment Committees 2009-Present
Smart OnLine, Board of Directors, Chairman, President/CEO, Audit and 2007-2009
Compensation Committee
Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) Board of Directors 2009-Present
National Association of Corporate Directors Association (NACD) 2007- Present
Lorair Corporation, Board of Directors 2000-2001
MTD Corporation, Board of Directors 1998-2000
Automotive Service Industry, Chairman (1994 – 1995), Board of Directors, Executive
Committee and Manufacturer's Board of Directors
Automotive Industry Associations (MEMA, SEMA, APAA, AIA, NTDRA, ASIA, AWDA) 1996
Joint Operating Committee
OESA, Member
SAE, Member
Roberts Wesleyan College Board of Directors 1980-1983
Automotive Sales Council 1996
Automotive Service Association "Leadership Award" for Distinguished Service,
Chairman (1998), Vice President (1997), Treasurer (1996), and Board of Directors
Northwood University's Automotive Aftermarket Education Award 1996