Expert Details
Commercial, Contract, Office, Educational, Healthcare, and Hospitality Furniture Industries
ID: 728212
Michigan, USA
Expert has accrued over 40 years of experience with the furniture industry, with a special emphasis on seating products. He is recognized as one of the leading industry experts in multiple fields related to this commercial furniture business.
The firm conducts a unique, quarterly, global, industry-wide performance measurement tool. He writes regularly, and appears monthly on PBS Affiliate WGVU-FM under the title "From Where I Sit.". His quotes appear frequently as an expert and resource by both the industry and West Michigan business media.
Prior to establishing his own company in early 2003, Expert was Vice President, Chair Components Group, of SUSPA, Inc.,a manufacturer of lift, support, damping, and adjustment devices, e.g., gas springs used for height adjustment of swivel chairs and hatchbacks (automobiles), as well as suspension systems for washing machines. Expert joined the company in 1978 and held various positions in Production Management, Quality Assurance, Engineering, Sales and Marketing.
Before joining SUSPA,, Expert positions as a Project Engineer in the Transportation Seating Division of American Seating Company and as a Product Development Engineer with the Saginaw Division (now DELPHI) of General Motors Corporation.
Expert was elected as member of the Board of Directors for BIFMA International in 2001 and served a three-year term as its supplier representative until June 2004. He is a founding member of the Office Furniture Industry Council, which has now evolved into the BIFMA Supply Chain Management Committee. He served as OFIC Chairman in 1998.
He also has served on several committees of BIFMA International, is a member of the Grand Rapids Economic Club, and Society of Automotive Engineers. Expert is deeply involved in a variety of community leadership programs. He is a graduate of Leadership Grand Rapids, Class of 1996 and of Leadership Michigan, Class of 2006. Expert has served in a several capacities in the Leadership West Michigan program, and was its Chair for 2007. He also served on the Board of Directors for FIRST in Michigan.
He received a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Engineering from Western Michigan University and Masters in Management from the University of Michigan.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1986 | Degree: MBA | Subject: Management | Institution: University of Michigan |
| Year: 1971 | Degree: BS | Subject: Automotive Engineering | Institution: Western Michigan University |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2003 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Principal | Department: |
Responsibilities:Expert's business consultancy focuses on multiple facets of the office, education, healthcare, and hospitality furniture industries. Consultative topics include industry trends; competitive market analysis; market entry and global partnerships and collaboration; expert witness services in products liability; strategic business and market planning; M&A and license advice; independent rep sales team development; and public speaking engagements. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1978 to 2002 | Employer: SUSPA, Inc. | Title: Various | Department: |
Responsibilities:Expert served this corporation for 24 years -- most recently as Vice President of the Chair Components Group (2000-02). Prior to this time, he served the corporation as Director of the Chair Components Group (1994-2000); Director of Marketing (1990-94); Director of Sales & Marketing (1982-1990); Director of Sales (1980-82); Sales Engineering Manager (1979-80); and Production Manager and Quality Manager (1978-79). |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1975 to 1978 | Employer: American Seating Company | Title: Project Engineer | Department: Transportation Products Division |
Responsibilities:Expert served the Transportation Products division of the American Seating Company as Project Engineer from 1975 to 1978. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1972 to 1975 | Employer: General Motors Corporation | Title: Product Engineer | Department: Saginaw Steering Gear Division |
Responsibilities:Expert served General Motors' Steering Gear Division as Product Engineer from 1972 to 1975. |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| BIFMA International (Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association): Past Member, Board of Directors Office Furniture Industry Council: Founding Member and Past Chair Society of Automotive Engineers from 1972 to present Economics Club of Grand Rapids from 1984 to present Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals from 1999 to present |