Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

always an Iowan. Grew up in small town on the banks of the Des Moines River where there were lots of geodes and fossil coral and river otters and catfish. Was in same Colorado place as singer John Denver on August 12, 1972 to see the most brilliant Perseid meteor shower ever. Studied ceramics and conceptual art . Lived in Henderson, Kentucky near Peak Bros Barbeque. Lived in Elizabethtown, Kentucky where Gen Custer was before he went west. Worked for Japanese automotive companies (Mitsubishi Motors, Asahi Glass). Lived in Illinois. Wind never stops. Live in Michigan. on 3rd dog: Kenu then Sumi now Zosia. Ghost of Kenu remains.

started OTB Zolutonz July09 to do Purchasing/Supply Chain consulting. project focus. YOUR ON-DEMAND SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEM SOLVER. Specialize in finding low cost, quick solutions to supplier/supply chain issues. Reasonable fees billed for actual work.

recent projects:
a) investigate US and China suppliers for German industrial safety systems manufacturer considering to move production from Germany to USA.
b) introduced US energy-type company to large China industrial group for possible China supply, JV in China, technical consulting to China.
c) developed customized, rather unique, low risk, low cost supply chain solution for startup US automotive infotainment company incorporating electronic component manufacturers, component distributor, contract manufacturer, with integrated support to contract design engineering firm for seamless 14 mo product development and launch for auto OEM.
d) advised individual considering to buy existing company on how supply chain could affect the risk and revenue.

plan to start donation supported MWBE.us in 2010 to promote global harmony through supplier and workplace diversity.

Work History

• OTB Zolutionz LLC
• starter : supply chain problem solver
• July 2009 to Present

• visionary. lead consultant. hard worker. story teller.

• AREA51-ESG
• Director, New Business Development
• September 2007 to June 2009

• in less than 12 months made company and AREA51 brand visibile throughout the entire automotive OEM and supplier world. we quoted over $15MIL in business.

• Harman International
• Manager, Sourcing
• January 2002 to September 2007

• establish purchasing and sourcing function in new R&D tech center with 200 engineers. hire staff. expert at semiconductor problem solving. design and manufacture audio and navigation systems. brands JBL, Infinity, HarmanKardon.

• Mitsubishi Motors
• Sr. Buyer, Production Purchasing
• July 1995 to January 2002

• sourcing and program management for new custom designed electrical and electronic parts and systems in Galant, Eclipse, Endeavor, Stratus, Avenger. at one point responsible for $700MIL in purchases of sunroof, wiring harness, airbag electronics, switches, audio systems, alternator, starter, engine electronics, exterior lights, speedo/guages, tooling.

• Asahi Glass Automotive
• Purchasing Facilitator
• June 1989 to July 1995

• new factory operating 24/7 on two 12hr shifts manufacturing glass for Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Corvette, Saturn, Nissan. Resp for all purchasing, receiving, inventory control, logistics. Toyota Production System. Total Preventative Maintenance. Hired and coached 11 associates.

• United Technologies Automotive
• Buyer
• April 1982 to June 1989

• started as Industrial Engineer. then Buyer for packaging, chemicals, plastic parts, tooling, plastic resins, fasteners. manufactured plastic assemblies for Ford, Chrysler, GM.

• CS Industries, Inc.
• Sales Manager to the World

• China and SE Asia sourcing consultant. Helping companies of all sizes, anywhere in the world, reduce cost using quality materials and parts shipped from China/SE Asia. Purchasing is responsible to reduce cost...so this is like being in Purchasing but outside of the company. I also provide non-Chinese companies in the US and elsewhere with the opportunity to form joint-ventures and other business relationships in China. Building a global bridge network of cooperation through business.

Education

• Iowa Wesleyan College
• B.A. cum laude, Visual Art, Education
• 1976 - 1978