Experience

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  Berken Solutions

  • United States
  • Automation Machinery Manufacturing
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Chief Executive Officer

    • Jan 2023 - Present

  • President

    • Jan 2018 - Jan 2023

    Market and sell 24V DC conveyor solutions to integrators.Provide consulting services for integrators and select customers to enhance the overall project results for 24V DC conveyor systems including 2D layouts, 3D layouts, simulation, rate studies, emulation, project management, PLC programming, installation, and service.Develop strategic partnerships with conveyor manufacturers, equipment suppliers, installation companies, controls engineers, and industry consultants to offer a branded solution focused on 24V DC conveyor. Consistently maintain a high-standard of service and support with 100% focus on the customer experience.

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  Hilmot

  • United States
  • Industrial Automation
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Vice President - Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service

    • Dec 2012 - Dec 2017

    •Lead, manage, and coach Hilmot sales team including account managers & application engineers.•Develop and maintain a prioritized list of customer and market requirements.•Manage and maintain positive relationships with current customers in order to foster future sales. •Identify and survey prospective new customers. Work with sales team to maintain and grow existing customers.•Review market analyses to determine customer needs, price schedules, and discount rates.•Possess a complete understanding of company products, policies, philosophy, and vision.•Lead, manage, and coach Hilmot customer service team.•Improving customer service quality by evaluating processes, analyzing results, and implementing changes.•Handling escalations from the customer service team members.•Develop and execute comprehensive marketing plans and programs, both short and long range, to support sales and revenue objectives.•Create and maintain marketing operating budget.•Plan and oversee advertising and promotion activities including print, online, electronic media, and direct mail.•Oversee and evaluate market research and adjust marketing strategy to meet changing market and competitive conditions. •Conduct marketing surveys on current and new product concepts, and provides feedback for future product development.

  • General Manager

    • Dec 2009 - Dec 2012

    •Responsible for operations including the departments of finance, engineering, purchasing, production, quality, warehouse and installation•Provide direction to the internal planning team for resource planning, scheduling, and process improvement projects•Oversee the company finances and communicate the finances with the company’s primary financial lender•Oversee the company IT infrastructure including purchasing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and overall strategic vision of all IT hardware and software•Ensure the capital budget is updated and adhered to.•Ensure material costs, expenses, and labor rates are in line with the business plan•Interact with customers to ensure deliverables, scope, and schedules are understood and documented for all projects•Assist sales department with site visits, quoting, and sales presentations

  • Project Manager

    • Jan 2006 - Dec 2009

    •Responsible for successful completion of all projects•Communicated project status, deliverables and timeline to all employees•Acted as the functional manager for systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and installation departments•Responsible for the company IT infrastructure including purchasing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and overall strategic vision of all IT hardware and software•Interacted with customers to ensure deliverables, scope, and schedules are understood and documented for all projects•Assisted sales department with site visits, quoting, and sales presentations

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  Lands' End

  • Dodgeville, WI

  • Systems Engineer

    • Jan 2000 - Dec 2005
    • Dodgeville, WI

    •Managed and completed over 40 projects within 3 years•Responsible for research, design, purchasing, programming, installation and troubleshooting of assigned projects relating to automation, sorters, conveyors, ergonomics and process improvement•Major project management efforts include: - Project manager for a 1.8 million dollar sortation system expansion - Worked with front line employees in focus groups to develop new packing stations with duties including CAD drawing designs, coordination of manufacturing and scheduling of installation•Resident expert for controls and electrical related questions and issues for all engineers and maintenance staff at Lands’ End•Successfully completed six sigma green belt training•Business liaison for radio frequency identification (RFID) and a member of the UW E-Business Consortium at the University of Wisconsin, which meets on a monthly basis with over 300 Wisconsin companies to discuss RFID trends and issues