Engineering Management

GREGORY F. EXNER

Woodhaven, MI Mobile: 734-***-****

EM: abmekz@r.postjobfree.com Website:

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/gregory-exner/13/67/940

ENGINEERING DIRECTOR

CAREER SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE

I have 20+ years of demonstrated accomplishment in leading engineering

organizations and bringing products from concept to launch and support for

$120-$300M manufacturing businesses. I am a Value Engineering "Guru" with

extensive knowledge of materials, lean manufacturing principles and Six

Sigma methods. I have led global engineering organizations, streamlined

manufacturing systems, product development processes and quality systems,

and provided executive leadership for strategic planning.

My career objective is to contribute to the success of a company by

providing leadership and business acumen based on a foundation of

manufacturing, engineering, project management and financial knowledge,

collaborative team building skills and a BSME/MBA education.

CAREER HISTORY

11/08-07/09 Durrani Racing Components (Motorcycle Aftermarket Supplier;

Farmington Hills, MI)

Engineering Consultant/Engineering VP: Led production engineering,

testing and supplier management. Provided technical/manufacturing

leadership for innovative ThixomoldedTM magnesium wheel product.

Optimized tooling and process. Start-up company closed July 2009 due to

inadequate cash flow.

07/2003- 10/2008 Thetford-Norcold (Supplier in RV/Boat Industry: $280M

Sales; Private) Ann Arbor, MI

VP of Global Engineering with six sites in North America and Europe.

Responsible for product engineering, design, test, program management,

tooling, R&D. 7 Direct Reports; 70 in organization. $11M Engineering

budget; $16M capital budget

. Created and implemented global Strategic Business Plan in collaboration

with Senior Staff.

. Created specifications/redesigned and launched refrigeration and

sanitation product lines.

. Championed new product programs ($120M of new/replacement business)

. Technical champion of major cost reduction projects - saved $12M

annually.

. Collaborated with supplier management to assess and implement new

sources.

. Improved/standardized processes for new product development and product

data management.

. Led/mentored creation lessons learned/design guidelines for the company.

. Championed implementation of Program Management Book of Knowledge

methodology.

. Led a disciplined, phase-gated New Product Development process with focus

on high value /reliable solutions, financials, critical path, low cost

and application of lean manufacturing principles that met the business

case.

. Provided engineering/executive leadership for accomplishment of ISO9001

for the company.

. Led product and manufacturing engineering for "New Product Platform"

refrigerator product line-up that reinvented product and optimized lean

approach to manufacturing and sourcing.

02/2002-07/2003 Ford Lincoln-Mercury Dearborn, MI

Engineering Consultant Contract position through Engineering Analysis

Services Inc.- Madison Hts, MI

Responsible for value engineering of interior systems focusing on restraint

systems, crashworthiness, headliners, door trim and seats (including

ventilation). Created DFMEA's, DVP&R's, test plans, boundary

diagrams/function models/trees. Led APQP process. Implemented innovative

thermal formed safety system for headliners with emphasis on supplier

manufacturing and assembly. Saved $4M/yr.

07/1997-11/2001 ASC Inc. (Specialty Automotive Vehicle Supplier/Mfr -

$220M Sales; Private) Southgate, MI

Engineering Leader - Body engineering

Director - Design, test and reliability.

Director- Program Management.

. Launched and maintained favorable business case for 8 programs.

. Delivered two major programs in 11-13 months from concept to launch in

new facilities.

. Led Value Engineering team effort that reduced Toyota Solara Convertible

cost by 7%.

. Created and implemented a process for prioritizing, tracking and

resolving key product test issues.

. Championed creation and implementation of a disciplined Program

Management process for the company.

07/1987-02/1997 UTA (Breed) (Automotive Supplier - $180M Sales BU; $1.0B

business; Public) Detroit, MI

Director - Product Engineering, Design, Test, R&D, warranty and Program

Management for the Steering Wheel Business Unit. Delivered product for all

major OEM's including Ford, GM, Toyota, Nissan and Honda.

. Launched multiple successful programs from concept to production with

focus on steering wheel/driver air bags and interior systems for multiple

OEM's.

. Received a special management award for innovative one piece ductile

magnesium steering wheel which resulted in a new business award worth

$40M.

. Created, developed and launched innovative air bag cover programs;

optimized materials and processes.

. Led business unit reorganization into cross functional teams.

. Led QS9000 for engineering.

Prior Experience General Motors Detroit, MI

Positions of increasing responsibility in Engineering management and

Reliability Engineering: Interior systems, Air Bag Systems, Instrument

Panel Systems, Restraint Systems, Body structure, Vehicle Crashworthiness,

Vehicle NVH, R&H, Exterior, HVAC, Vehicle Electrical/Electronic systems

. Engineering Program Manager for Air Bag Systems. Led development and

implementation/integration of new air bag/controls and instrument panel

systems

. Assistant Staff Manager: Led launch of 5 completely new cockpit systems.

EDUCATION

. MBA - University of Detroit Mercy

. Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering - Kettering University

PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

. SAE Paper: "Energy Absorbing Steering Wheel Armature," in collaboration

with EASi

. Presentation to Magnesium Manufacturers Association: Magnesium Steering

Wheel Armature

. 5 patents

SKILLS

Value Engineering, Design for Manufacturing/Assembly, Design Failure Mode

Effects and Analysis, Design Verification Planning, Six Sigma Methods,

Theory of Constraints, JIT, Kaizen, MS Project, MS Office, CAD/CAE

management, Injection Molding, RIM Molding, Die Casting, Assembly, Lean

Manufacturing

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