Engineering Development

BUILDING BUSINESS VALUE THROUGH

SHARED

THOMAS DEWEERDT… VISION, STRATEGY AND EXECUTION

**** ****** **** **** **********, MI 48462 C. 248-***-**** H. 248-***-**** acca2b@r.postjobfree.com

GLOBAL ENGINEERING EXECUTIVE / TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIST delivering consistant and measureable increased

shareholder value and international market leadership through full life-cycle product development, technical

management, and new business development. Decisive engineering and program management leadership at the

senior executive level through root-cause problem solving, team development, and disciplined processes that

leads to growth and profitability of public and private companies. Broad technical depth in automotive, truck, and

industrial product development in areas including vehicle systems engineering, conventional and hybrid

powertrain/driveline development, electro-mechanical component development, warranty reduction, and

continuous improvement process development. Notable strengths and accomplishments include …

GLOBAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - Orchestrated engineering discussions and product development with domestic

and European OEM’s regarding vehicle integration of advanced driveline systems. Chrysler, GM, Audi, VW

and BMW are currently considering volume usage across multiple vehicle platforms.

STRATEGIC GROWTH – Defined strategy and implemented 44 new business growth opportunities in several

untapped OEM and tier supplier engineering organizations including EV and HEV development, product

quality, engineering process discipline, and technical engineering management resulting in $12M of new

business.

MATRIX LEADERSHIP - Led cross-functional product development teams that included engineering, sales &

marketing, finance, service, and manufacturing towards successful full lifecycle product development. Results

include attaining $50M of new business pursuit opportunities with low cost modular system designs yielding hi

return on investment.

WARRANTY REDUCTION - Directed advanced engineering development of service oriented noise and vibration

diagnostic tool that was proven to prevent 68 vehicle buybacks, and saved $22M in related warranty costs

over a 12 month evaluation period.

ENGINEERING BEST PRACTICES - Streamlined product development efficiencies through the creation of gate driven

processes that balanced engineering discipline with innovation. Process implementation yielded a 68%

reduction in product development time, drove multiple patentable product development solutions, and

captured engineering best practices as a basis for continuous improvement.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT - Led the development and implementation of cross-functional continuous improvement

activity that captured lessons learned and drove engineering change resulting in streamlined product

development efficiencies and drove a 60% decrease in vehicle launch issues.

CORE COMPETENCIES THAT DRIVE RESULTS

New Product Innovation Material Cost Reduction Executive Leadership

Powertrain/Driveline ER&D Technical Management Business Unit P&L Management

Hybrid Vehicle Development Vehicle E/E Systems DV Strategic Planning & Execution

Program Management Structured PD Processes Systems Integration & Test

Quality Improvement Business Development Continuous Improvement

DRIVING INNOVATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Data Driven Visionary Business Creativity Balanced with Multi-disciplined Technical

Creation Engineering Discipline Leadership

Cross Matrix Team Building Plant Issue Root Cause Customer Centric Product Dev.

LINAMAR CORPORATION., Southfield, MI 2012 - PRESENT

Manufacturer of automotive powertrain components and driveline systems

MANAGER, ADVANCE ENGINEERING

Technical and program leadership of the Advance Driveline Engineering Group. Create vision and implement

focused new product development strategy in emerging automotive and non-automotive markets. Direction over

Advance Engineering programs that include the following activity:

Matrix engineering resource integration of acquired McLaren Performance Technologies division.

Technical direction of multiple OEM e-axle development programs resulting in global production opportunities.

Lead advanced driveline disconnect applications for multiple OEM applications yielding $25M in new

business.

Create product development best practice processes and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Mentor engineers in areas unfamiliar to them and unite cross functional disciplines as one focused team.

Develop and initiate gate driven product development discipline.

Create and implement APQP product development methodology.

AVL POWERTRAIN INC., Plymouth, MI 2009 – 2011

Global engineering service provider for powertrain development, instrument test systems, and advanced simulation technologies

CHIEF ENGINEER, ELECTRIFICATION & HYBRIDS

Multi-disciplined technical engineering leadership of EV and HEV propulsion system development. New business

development and product life cycle management from RFQ through prototype launch using six sigma disciplines

to ensure program success.

Orchestrate HEV and EV powertrain program activities through technical matrix skill teams resulting in $19M

of new awarded business.

Drive customer requirements definition, business proposal development, and technical engineering

implementation to achieve at budget and on time program deliverables.

Implement disciplined gate driven product development plan resulting in 40% efficiency improvement.

Direct new hybrid business opportunities including car, truck, bus, military, off-road, and marine applications.

Reduced program costs by 32% through material cost reduction and streamlined development processes.

NAVISTAR INC., Union City, IN 2008 – 2009

OEM manufacturer of medium to heavy duty trucks, buses, RV’s, and military vehicles.

DIRECTOR, ENGINEERING

Led technical engineering staff consisting of powertrain, chassis, electrical, CAE, test lab, and warranty

personnel. (38 associates in total) Plan and direct custom chassis engineering programs from initial concept

through volume production. Orchestrate engineering activity pertaining to advanced and current product

development initiatives incorporating lessons learned as the basis for continuous improvement.

Overall product responsibility for decisions impacting cost, safety, performance, quality, customer support and

value proposition to OEM and industry stakeholders.

Product strategy creation and implementation via disciplined product development processes.

Direct hydraulic hybrid and pure EV propulsion system development of class 3 and 4 truck applications.

Led technical sales support and business case development to obtain $3.2M of new business.

Drive product development and program management via gate driven product development disciplines.

Financial responsibility including engineering R&D, capital, and G&A budgets. ( $26M)

Unite cross functional product development groups to ensure program and customer goals are met.

DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION., Auburn Hills, MI 1988 – 2007

Automotive OEM that designs, develops, and manufactures cars and trucks.

ENGINEERING DIRECTOR, (MERCEDES BENZ GROUP)

Led diverse team of 22 associates in areas including body and safety electronics, hybrid powertrain engineering,

and 2 OEM-technician call centers. Develop and implement new business strategies from initial contract to final

project deliverables. Perform strategic planning initiatives resulting in new business growth. Full business unit P&L

responsibility.

Doubled engineering staff from 10 to 22 engineers, increased revenue from $1.2M to $2.5M with 25% return

on sales.

Nurture big three OEM relations with a strong technical presence and sales support through product launch.

Developed supplier SWOT team to quickly resolve E/E component issues that forced 2 plant shutdowns.

Increased non-OEM business 30%, equal to $1.3M revenue growth in 2007, by creating new business

strategy.

Directed new business growth in hybrid vehicle development using underutilized OEM facilities.

Personally coordinated E/E system launch support activity to ensure smooth transition to volume production.

Established 41 new business opportunities resulting in $2.5M in revenue for 2006, doubling 2005 revenues.

ENGINEERING MANAGER, SENIOR ENGINEER, PROJECT ENGINEER, (CHRYSLER GROUP)

Managed 10 engineering associates within advanced diagnostic research areas regarding R&D of new

automotive diagnostic tools and methodologies targeting high-warranty components and sub-systems.

Created and directed technical engineering facility center, achieving 100% functionality within three months.

ER&D of advance powertrain systems including COP ignition, misfire detection, heated catalyst, and controls.

Developed fully equipped electronics R&D lab in support of prototype diagnostic tool creation within 4 months.

Capture and translate subjective customer vehicle issues into objective data to drive engineering change.

Identify and resolve powertrain/driveline NVH issues resulting in production implementation.

Product development leadership of a diagnostic tool that reduced powertrain warranty costs by $22M.

Drove 2-stroke marine engine controls development for advanced automotive powertrain applications.

Achieved an 80% reduction of electrical-related launch issues as a direct result of leading E/E module

engineers through stringent system design verification testing on 120 pre-production vehicles.

Obtained three US patent awards pertaining to vehicle diagnostics and transmission NVH reduction.

PRIOR POSITIONS:

SELF EMPLOYED., ROYAL OAK, MI

1982 – 1988

CERTIFIED MECHANIC

Mechanical / electrical diagnostics and repair of automotive, truck, and recreational vehicles.

Full vehicle service including engine, transmission, driveline, chassis, and electrical repair.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING (MSAE), Lawrence Technical University, Southfield, MI (3/4 complete)

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MANAGEMENT (MSM), Walsh College of Business, Troy, MI

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (BSEE), Lawrence Technical University, Southfield, MI

P ROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES / DEVELOPMENT / AFFILIATIONS

Certificates: ISO 9001:2000 • Three US Patent Awards: #5,257,962, #6,037,779, #7,111,489 • Certified Mechanic

• AVL Cruise Modeling and Simulation

Professional Development: Lean Sigma • Kaizen Facilitation • Professional Communication Skills • Situational

Leadership • Dale Carnegie Personal Development • Material Cost Management • Effective Leadership

Affiliations: American Wind Energy Association • Engineering Society of Detroit • Society of Automotive Engineers

• IEEE EMC Engineering Society

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