Engineer Engineering

Dennis Gore

Proven success leading global product development organizations from design

and

concept creation through engineering, enhancing competitive position and

driving

growth into new markets while achieving corporate objectives for increased

quality and efficiency, improved product planning, and faster time to

market

SENIOR EXECUTIVE: GLOBAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCT ENGINEERING

Strategic Planning . Customer Research . Market Analysis .

Competitive Benchmarking . Product Portfolio Planning

Innovation Management . Complex System Integration . Alliance Building .

Budget Creation & Oversight . Resource Planning

Talent Recruitment & Development . Quality Gate New Product Development

Process . Continuous Improvement Methodologies

Supplier Development . Hands-on Approach to Managing . Multiple Large-Scale

Global Program Management

Product Development and Engineering Executive with stellar track record

leading development of successful automotive products for North American,

European, and Chinese markets. Proven success in partnering with Marketing

and Product Planning functions to interpret customer requirements,

establish the product definition and program targets for new models,

confirm concept feasibility and finalize all specifications using global

standards. Able to then utilize innovative testing and validation tools

for comprehensive integration of all systems and launch new models in a

structured approach that verifies the quality at each stage. Deep

understanding of product development, engineering, and manufacturing

processes includes product strategy and innovation planning, lifecycle

management and competitive analysis, packaging and concept development

together with styling, and quality functions as well as development of the

business case to validate overall program feasibility. Strong

communicator able to build consensus among key stakeholders, establish a

clear vision and articulate this to the team. Skilled cross-functional

team leader in diverse cultural and global settings. Deep experience in

talent management from hiring and on-boarding to performance management and

career development.

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS

( Established road map and provided strategic vision to grow the quality

and capability of Chinese automotive OEM's product creation and product

development organization to a globally competitive level.

( Forged international joint ventures and conducted due diligence with

foreign manufacturers leading strategy development, organizational

structuring, resource planning, market analysis, product planning and

product definitions for products in three large-scale greenfield

startups.

( Provided leadership for startup and multi-phased expansion of Honda

R&D's North American Tech Center from 30 employees working in temporary

offices to one of the largest foreign-owned R&D centers in U.S. with

over 1,000 employees and comprehensive technical center of more than

500,000 sq. ft.

( Played major role in startup and launch of one of the first Japanese

automotive transplant operations in U.S., and then served as program

leader for first model to be uniquely developed and manufactured for

North American market.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Chery Automobile Company, Wuhu, China 2007 - Present

One of the largest domestic Chinese automotive OEM's with annual volume of

more than 650K vehicles including key export markets

SENIOR MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT FOR ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Recruited by the CEO to come to China for the purpose of improving Chery's

product quality as well as product planning and product development

capabilities. Key objective is to guide the integration of globally

competitive product development processes and program management

techniques that will facilitate production of high quality vehicles

meeting complex regulatory and customer requirements for domestic Chinese

as well as international export markets. Provide the vision and leadership

required to establish and implement a robust phase-gated new product

development process, quality improvement strategies and adoption of

structured program management methodologies using a cross functional

matrixed approach. Mentor staff engineers and managers to improve and

broaden their skill sets through various program leadership roles.

Played instrumental role in various technical and strategic planning

capacities enhancing broad aspects of Chery's organization, processes,

business expansion, product portfolio planning and product

development/engineering strategy:

? Analyzed existing product development processes and capabilities then

produced comprehensive gap analysis report and road map describing

specific strategies to close capability and methodology gap with

global competitors within 5-8 years.

? Drove development of better engineering organization and led effort

to integrate and improve the capabilities of the product design and

testing as well as program management and quality functions leading

to shorter development cycles.

? As Executive Chief Engineer, provided key support for creation and

start up of a new joint venture with U.S.-based Quantum Corporation,

now designing and developing a new brand of vehicles to be

distributed in Chinese and European markets. Worked with outside

consultants to define and establish engineering organization

structure as well as roles and responsibilities for all management

and staff levels. Initiated talent recruiting activities with

international and local agencies to achieve aggressive on-boarding

requirements. Supported the establishment of a robust phase-gated new

product development process, and comprehensive product definitions

for a portfolio of five new models based on the same platform.

Prepared resource plans and budgets for capital investment plus

program and operational expenses.

? Director of Quality and Manufacturing Engineering supporting the

creation of a new R&D center in Shanghai, utilizing international

best practices to plan, design, engineer and manufacture a new

portfolio of high quality vehicles that will enhance the brand image

in local domestic as well as export markets. Supported the

establishment of the engineering organization including capital

investment and operational budgets as well as a globally competitive

new product development process. Direct the program efforts of the

quality and manufacturing engineering functions and establish the

effective integration of these functions at the concept feasibility

phase of new product programs. Provide mentorship and coaching to

managers and staff engineers to enhance performance and improve

career development.

VISIONARY VEHICLES LLC, New York, New York 2005 - 2006

Startup company founded for design and development of vehicles to be

engineered in U.S. and produced in China.

VICE PRESIDENT, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Recruited by CEO and founder, directed all technical activities related to

design and development of five new vehicles by a global engineering team,

manufactured in China by new joint venture organization, and distributed

in North America, Europe, and China under new brand. Conducted extensive

market research, and created detailed technology road maps.

(Met all strategic goals of this role, although venture was not realized

due to $500M funding shortfall.)

Led small engineering and planning team of 8 in 2-year intensive effort

that created executable strategy for structure and operation of global

technical center to support product development needs of the joint

venture:

? Created global product development organization structure, recruiting

strategy, and phase-gated NPD process.

? Developed complete facility plan for North American technical center

and integrated design center with capacity of 500 engineers and

designers capable of managing multiple global development programs

simultaneously.

? Proposed comprehensive 5-year budgets for startup capital investment

and operational costs to Board of Directors.

? Played key role in structuring of potential JV with Chinese partner,

negotiating all technical aspects of the deal.

? Produced detailed product definitions with complete life cycle plans

for 5 new models, and strategies for expansion into other segments

through development of up to 7 additional models.

MITSUBISHI MOTORS R&D OF AMERICA, Ann Arbor, Michigan 1998 - 2005

R&D operation of Mitsubishi Motors of America, which sells vehicles through

~700 dealers in U.S., Canada, Mexico, & Caribbean.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT

Recruited to apply expertise demonstrated at Honda R&D to develop

organization equipped to design and develop unique vehicles for North

American market. Reporting to VP of R&D, directed vehicle testing centers

and emissions laboratories in Michigan and California with responsibility

for integrating all functional attributes for new models including

compliance with complex U.S. safety (NHTSA) and emissions regulations

(EPA/CARB). Led the N.A. team in multiple global new model programs.

While severe financial constraints and market share loss precluded

establishment of an all new R&D organization, developed and executed

strategies enabling dramatic quality and productivity improvements and

launch of multiple new models:

? Developed operational strategies to create North American R&D center,

tactically restructuring organization into functional work groups and

increasing engineering team from 25 to 125, including 6 department

directors through aggressive talent recruiting strategies. Prepared

annual activity plans and budgets to ensure required resources.

? Forged strong cross-functional working relationships with design,

marketing/sales, and manufacturing divisions to improve capabilities

for simultaneous product development and to accelerate and confirm

program concept feasibility.

? Partnered with Marketing/Sales and Product Planning to establish

product definition of new models through market research (Voice of

Customer) and competitor benchmarking, mentoring new PD organization

to function collaboratively.

? Championed implementation of a disciplined product development

process in a global engineering environment that reduced product

development cycle by 25% while meeting aggressive targets for

improved quality, reduced product cost, enhanced performance and

integration of innovative technologies.

HONDA R&D AMERICAS, Raymond, Ohio 1991 - 1998

R&D subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., sixth largest automobile

manufacturer in world.

CHIEF ENGINEER - Automobile Design Division (1996-98)

SENIOR MANAGER - Automotive Interior Design (1994-96)

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER (1991-94)

Joined organization as one of only two senior American engineers as

company was preparing to launch major expansion and creation of

integrated organization for design and development of models to be

produced in North America for global markets. Trained in Honda's rigorous

global product development process and advanced to increasingly

responsible roles while guiding 800% growth of organization over first

six years, leading the hiring and mentoring for a team of >250 engineers,

and adjusting department structure to adapt to global program manpower

requirements, staff technical capabilities, and facility resources.

Served as key catalyst in evolution of Honda's American R&D organization

to one capable at departure of concurrent development and launch of 2 new

models while supporting production of 9 unique models in 5 manufacturing

plants across North and South America. Selected contributions include:

? Accomplished design, concept feasibility, development/validation and

production launch of 2 Honda models for North America and Europe,

serving as engineering project leader for a global product

development team of more than 100.

? Provided program leadership and oversight to effectively integrate

all vehicle systems including body, chassis, electrical and

powertrain to achieve program targets for functionality, quality,

cost and on-time delivery.

? Delivered $600 per vehicle cost reduction (-10%) for 1996 Civic new

model program, manufacturing 92% of vehicle content in North America

and achieving highest quality rating in its segment by J.D. Powers

Initial Quality Study.

? Championed reduced development lead times and enhanced quality of

engineering specifications, achieving all targets for cost, quality,

and delivery through implementation of TQM and Kaizen techniques for

continuous improvement.

? Applied TQM approach and techniques to improve operational

efficiencies ranging from recruiting, developing and retaining high

quality engineering talent to the complete technical feasibility

analysis process for a new vehicle.

? Implemented a comprehensive annual performance management process for

the department to establish goals and objectives for each staff

member that was very effective in clarifying performance expectations

and identifying career development pathways for engineers and

managers to be able to advance through the R&D organization.

? Contributed to creation of new 500,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art

technical center as member of R&D facility expansion team managing

multi-phase construction project supporting global corporate strategy

for self-reliance in the Americas.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

STAFF PROJECT ENGINEER, VOLVO GM HEAVY TRUCK CORPORATION:

? Joined the early start up phase of new joint venture with a mission

to transfer Volvo Truck technology to U.S.

? Established specifications for a line of heavy trucks to be developed

using new vehicle architecture from Volvo, and worked in a global

team with Swedish colleagues to harmonize specifications to meet

requirements for various markets.

? Created and implemented project plans focused on maximizing platform

commonality for portfolio of new North American models while

providing unique features and best-in-class performance and design.

SENIOR PRODUCT ENGINEER, NISSAN MOTOR MANUFACTURING CORPORATION:

? Joined a small team of less than 100 people working in temporary

facilities to launch Nissan's first North American manufacturing

plant and R&D organization with a total of more than 3,000 employees

(130 in R&D) at my departure.

? Served as Body Design Team Leader for first Nissan model developed

exclusively for North American market.

? Led team of engineers and designers in transfer of Nissan product

development process to North American R&D.

? As member of global engineering team supported localization, supplier

development and production launch of 6 new models for North American

market.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science Degree, Mechanical Engineering

General Motors Institute, Flint, Michigan

U.S.: 734-***-****

China: +86-186-****-****

*******************@*****.***

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