Director of Engineering

Dale B. Tiller, P.E.

***** *. **** ****** ******: 402-***-****

Lincoln, NE 68517 *******.**@*****.***

Proven results in developing and implementing strategies for product development, market growth, cost reduction, and profitability. Experience in a variety of industries (defense, aerospace, automotive and energy) and countries.

- Conceived and led the development and launch of several innovative products in the aerospace, automotive and energy markets.

- Directed the growth of several start-up businesses, increased sales by five-fold over a four-year period while enhancing profitability, improved product quality, reduced real costs, and grew sales and EBIT year over year.

- A “T-shaped” manager and executive with a deep knowledge in engineering design, development and manufacturing; and a broad knowledge of business fundamentals.

Director of Engineering and Programs 2011-Present

Pacific Engineering, Inc., Roca, NE

- Led successful design and qualification effort of torpedo launcher for Surface Ship Torpedo Defense System. This was a Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) High-Priority development project.

- Principal designer of lightweight composite torpedo launch canister for NAVSEA Countermeasure Anti- Torpedo Torpedo (CAT) system.

- Received Excellence Award from Vice-Admiral Hilarides, Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, for successful design and development of Surface Ship Torpedo Defense System (SSTD).

- Work on SSTD project (Countermeasure Torpedo Canister and Launcher) earned company the coveted 2014 Tibbetts Award (“Best Small Business Technology Innovation”).

- Led design and development of Lightweight Multi-Mission Composite Trailer for MARCORSYSCOM. Prototype successfully demonstrated mission capability (payload, shock, vibration, durability, reliability) over durability test course.

- Provided management and direction for all engineering resources in the design, development and manufacture of advanced composite structures for multiple projects (CAT Composite Canister, LCS Mission Module, MTVR Lightweight Trailer, Modular Composite Shower for Navy Ships, Composite Armor).

- Responsible for content (technical and programmatic) of proposals to DOD agencies and primes.

- Instrumental in transitioning several projects from SBIR Phase II to Phase III commercialization.

Senior Principal & Owner 2010- present

Tiller & Associates, Lincoln, NE

- Subject matter expert in advanced composite structures including design, materials, processes, testing and marketing.

- Contracted by clients to perform a variety of tasks: Product design and development, Process Design, Project Management and execution, Materials selection and characterization, Plant design and lay-out with emphasis on Lean, Marketing Plans, Analysis and Trends, Failure investigation and analysis (RCA, FTA, process mapping), ISO 9000 Quality Systems (including development of procedures, quality management plan, and training), Mergers and Acquisitions, DFMEA and PFMEA, Supply Chain Development, Proposal Development, Sub-element and product testing, Operations Management, Financial and Risk Management

President and Managing Director 2007-2010

Hexagon Lincoln, a member of Hexagon Composites, Lincoln, NE

- Doubled size of facilities and tripled product output. Increased annual income by a compound annual growth rate of 20%, averaged an ROA of 15%, reduced costs by more than 10% per year, and established the company as the dominant supplier in the alternative fuels market.

- Planned and oversaw project for building an 110,000 square foot state-of the-art composites facility. Oversaw capital investment of more than $16M. Increased manufacturing capacity by more than 300%.

- Averaged an ROA of 15% and consistently met or exceeded EBIT target.

- Company set sales record year over year and increased sales by 10-fold in just 5 years.

- Implemented a company-wide metric system that translated company goals to each employee.

- Successfully reduced procurement and operating costs by more than 10% each year through lean and Six Sigma initiatives.

- Secured the dominant market-share position for the supply of Natural Gas Vehicle Fuel Systems in North America and Europe.

- Enhanced market position by negotiating major supply agreements with several OEM heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers.

- Diversified portfolio with development of new products: Hydraulic Accumulators, a bulk gas hauling system

(TITANTM), and Composite Hybrid Risers.

- Led management team in successful ISO 9000 implementation and registration.

- Played a key role in promoting natural gas in the United States as a member of the NGVAmerica Board of Directors and through lobbying of U.S. Congress to achieve passage of legislation.

Vice President of Operations 2005-2007

Hexagon-Lincoln

- Direct responsibility for all Manufacturing (personnel and facilities), Product Quality, Facilities, and IT.

- Developed and implemented an ISO 9000 compliant Management System (policies, procedures and training) and successfully achieved certification within 8 months of project start. Work scope included: selection of a registrar (DNV), drafting of policies and procedures, employee training, system implementation, internal audits, and successful ISO 9000 audit.

Oversaw $1M capital project to increase manufacturing capacity. Utilized LEAN methodology to achieve higher efficiencies and streamline product flow. Completed project within planned schedule (3 months) and budget without disrupting production. Doubled manufacturing capacity and reduced manufacturing costs by more 30%.

Implemented several plant-wide Lean and 6 Sigma initiatives (Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping) which achieved overall reduction of production costs by more than 10%.

Promoted Safety Awareness initiatives via Safety Team Meetings, an Employee Suggestion Program, and specific safety/hazard training. Achieved a superior safety record with no recordable incidents over a 2-year period.

Procured high-capacity injection-molding machine to reduce part costs by 1/3 and lead-times in half.

Developed and implemented a production scheduling system that increased on time performance (> 98%).

Developed and implemented bid and proposal procedures and related tools that reduced our customer response time by more than 1/2.

Increased manufacturing capacity by more than 100%, reduced costs by more 10% per year, increased sales by three-fold, enhanced employee safety, and developed quality management system that culminated in ISO 9000 registration.

Senior Manager of Engineering, Aircraft, Missile and Space Systems 2002-2005 General Dynamics-OTS, Lincoln, NE

- Represented Lincoln Operations on GD Transition Team, which was tasked with providing recommendations on how best to merge Lincoln Composites-ATP with General Dynamics.

- Improved Program Quality and Management Scorecard to >95%.

- Engineering representative for the ORACLE Implementation Team and recorded first operation site to successfully achieve “go live” status.

- Member of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) team which successfully achieved certification (CMMI Level 4, Class B, and Risk Level C).

- Recognized by the General Dynamics Corporation for Innovation Award Winner.

- Selected for the President’s Leadership Development Program.

- Responsible for managing 40+ engineers, scientists and technicians in the design and development of advanced composite structures for Aerospace, Missiles and Aviation platforms.

- Managed a successful R&D Project (>$0.5M) to develop the next generation all-composite aircraft fuel tank for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

- Engineering Lead on major proposal efforts which included the successful capture/award of a major (>$2M) missile container development program.

Vice-President, Engineering for Aerospace and Commercial Products 2000-2002 Lincoln Composites (a Division of ATP), Lincoln, NE

- Overall responsibility for an Engineering Group that included Design & Analysis, Manufacturing Engineering, Product CAD, and Tool Design.

- Developed and implemented a comprehensive Engineering System (procedures, processes, templates).

- Improved cost and schedule performance, bringing all projects within 105% of program requirements.

- Developed “real-time” tracking system which provided project teams with real time status/visibility of assigned tasks, efficiencies and workload.

- Engineering system received special commendation by ISO 9000 registrar (TUV). Senior Manager, Product & Business Development 1998-2000

- Led the Business Development team in establishing the company as the market leader in natural gas fuel systems for the North American Transit Market. Doubled annual sales ($10M to $20M) in 2 years. Manager, Product Development & Engineering 1996-1998

- Responsible for material and product qualifications, new business development, and Far East marketing. Led development and marketing of new products to several Japanese OEM’s, including Nissan Diesel and Hino.

- Received achievement the at International biennial conference Association in 1998. of Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV) highest honor for technical Director of Manufacturing & Operations Manager 1992-1996

- Developed the manufacturing facilities and processes for our new NGV Product Group. Responsible for all manufacturing facilities and personnel.

- Total P&L responsibility for Natural Gas Vehicle fuel tank product line.

Education:

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Kellogg School of Management Evanston, IL Executive Management Program (BAMP) Certificate

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY Blacksburg, VA Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY Blacksburg, VA BS, Mechanical Engineering Technology, cum laude (highest GPA within department) BRUNSWICK Foundation Scholar Award

Additional Information:

- Registered Professional Engineer, State of Nebraska

- Authored/Co-authored more than 20 technical papers including several which received special recognition. Best Advanced Composites Paper; SPI Composite Institute’s Annual Conference & Exposition, Cincinnati, Ohio, February 1992

Best Paper; NGV 98 International Conference and Exhibition for Natural Gas Vehicles, Cologne, Germany, May 1998

Best Paper; Track on Electric, Hybrid, Fuel Cell and Alternative Fuel Vehicles, ISATA 2000 Automotive and Transportation Technology, Dublin, Ireland, September 2000

- Inventor and Patent (US and Foreign) holder:

Patent No. 5,429,845; Improved Boss for Composite Pressure Vessel with a Thermoplastic Liner Patent No. 6,257,360, Compressed Gas Fuel Storage System Patent No. 6,418,962; Low Cost Compressed Gas Storage System Patent No. 9,103,500; Pressure Vessel Boss and Liner Interface

- Received NAVSEA Excellence Award from Admiral W. H. Hirlarides for personal contribution in design and development of Surface Ship Torpedo Defense System (SSTD).

- Trustee and Director of the Nebraska Engineering Trust (Charitable Trust supporting engineering students enrolled at the University of Nebraska).

My goal is to help build:

1. An organization with a purpose and a vision.

2. An organization that seeks to serve others.

3. An organization that is excelling, innovating, creative, growing and changing. 4. An organization that honors integrity, high standards, communication, generosity and love (yes, that four letter word).

5. An organization with a great culture (great cultures help people deliver their best work). 6. An organization that obsesses over customers.

7. An organization that invests in people and ideas, which gives their people the freedom to be awesome. 8. An organization that believes in work + life, not work vs. life. 9. An organization that is continually trying to improve, 10. An organization that will be a great place to be from.

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