Project Manager Engineer

KENNETH A. WEISE

**** **** **** ***@**********.*** Home: 321-***-****

Merritt Island, FL 32952 http://www.visualcv.com/kenweise Cell: (734)

***-****

SUMMARY

Engineering executive with a proven track record of creating high

performance teams, innovative new products, dramatic cost reductions with a

focus on manufacturability in a dynamic global environment.

EDUCATION

BS, Mechanical Engineering, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

AVERA MOTORS, Rockledge, FL 2009-2010

Chief Vehicle Engineer

Engineering lead at a start-up OEM.

. Establish, recruit and hire a complete engineering staff for a start-up

company.

. Create and deploy CAE, CAD, PLM and project management systems.

. Create and deploy engineering specifications and standards.

. Create and deliver technical presentations to potential investors.

. Develop potential sources for components and systems.

. Lead and mentor engineering team.

.

ARVINMERITOR, Troy, MI 2008-2009

Director of Engineering, Suspension Systems and Modular Assemblies

Created a new department focusing on design and development of modular

suspension assemblies.

. Established budget structure in a short time frame for operations in the

US and China.

. Established the division's reputation as specialists by recruiting a

highly skilled team of experts in Vehicle Dynamics and suspension design.

. Achieved greater than a 40% return-on-sales for engineering services to

non-traditional OEMs.

. Established the relationship with a Russian OEM for chassis business.

. Developed strategy and proposals for Indian and Russian market entry.

. Technical lead for a Joint Venture proposal in India.

BENTELER AUTOMOTIVE, Auburn Hills, MI 2002-2008

Technical Director, North American Chassis Engineering

Led the new product development team consisting of 28 direct reports from

CAD, CAE, Product Engineering and Testing. The team developed and launched

over 20 new products ranging from control arms to full suspension

assemblies.

. Created and chaired an executive level team to develop and exploit

operational synergies. Successes included consolidation of three

departmental test labs delivering personnel cost savings of 50%,

certification costs savings of 75% and adding the ability to operate

24/7.

. Created and presented detailed technical reviews to customers in the US,

UK and Japan.

. Directed new business acquisition activities. Won unplanned sales of

$75,000,000 / yr from GM; Benteler's first GM chassis contract in 5

years.

. Successfully intervened to assist a Tier 2 supplier in overcoming launch

threatening manufacturing difficulties.

. Trained over 75 department and plant personnel in product development

practices and use of gated product development systems.

. Authored and presented Lightweight Chassis Cradles, at the 2008 Great

Designs in Steel Conference.

. Patented the use of ultra-high strength steel for suspension control

arms. Patent pending for the use of ultra-high strength steel for vehicle

axles.

. Member of global PLM steering committee.

MSX INTERNATIONAL, Dearborn, MI 1999-2002

Engineering Manager, Think Neighbor Electric Vehicle 2000-2002

Directed all engineering design and validation activities for the Th!nk

Neighbor (neighborhood electric vehicle), balancing attributes and

functional trade-offs to optimize the vehicle.

. Led a four-week redesign that changed 70% of the vehicle resulting in a

$1,000 variable cost reduction and greater than $2,000,000 tooling

reduction.

. Led a team of 39 supervisors and engineers that redesigned, tested, and

successfully launched the vehicle in under eight months.

Engineering Supervisor, Multiple Programs 1999-2000

Re-established, realigned and re-focused the Chassis Engineering

department.

. Drove adherence to system level cost and functional targets.

. Brainstormed and implemented design changes resulting in over $170

average vehicle variable cost ($8,500,000 lifetime) reduction without

functional loss.

. Led development of an innovative suspension system to save over 7

kilogram per vehicle and $10,000,000 per year in variable cost. Received

MSXi World Class Performer Award.

. Successfully packaged an all-wheel-drive system into a vehicle described

as "impossible".

. Led a 14 person, multi-national team located in the US, UK and Turkey

developing chassis systems for the Ford Transit Connect (small van).

Systems included steering, suspension, brakes and fuel. Led the program

from kick-off to first prototype.

. Trained contracting company personnel on use of robust design and

development tools including DFMEA, DVP, timing plans and others.

. Balanced cost, weight, investment, and functional targets within chassis

systems and with other functional product areas.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Dearborn, MI 1987-1999

Chassis Product Engineer, 2001 Ford Transit 1995-1999

Front suspension architect for the 2001 Ford Transit Medium Commercial Van.

Devised and developed a first in the world suspension and steering

configuration and package that allowed front and rear wheel drive vehicles

to be built on a common platform. Resulted in the team winning a Ford Truck

Significant Achievement Award.

Alignment Systems / Chassis Process Engineer 1987-1995

Provided wheel alignment and chassis processing and tooling support for

Ford assembly plants. Created wheel alignment strategy for Ford Truck

manufacturing plants.

. Invented and patented a tool that reduced wheel alignment warranty by

50%. Received Ford's highest award for technical achievement, the Henry

Ford Technology Award.

. Project manager on $22,000,000 program to upgrade wheel alignment

equipment at fourteen North American Light Truck assembly plants. Project

was completed ahead of schedule and $3,000,000 under budget.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

. Society of Automotive Engineers, Since 2003

. Engineering Society of Detroit, Since 2004

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