Innovation Leader · Venture-Style Builder · Systems Architect

I operate as a founder
inside organizations

I build what does not yet exist.

15+ years creating new products, systems, and revenue streams at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, and business strategy. I turn ambiguous problems into production-ready solutions—combining technical depth, systems thinking, and commercial execution.

Zero-to-One Creation Applied R&D Industrial Automation Asset Intelligence IP Development Physical + Digital Convergence
IRR Improvement
Fleet Lifespan
10
Patents Filed
15+
Years Building

How I Create Value

🚀

Zero-to-One Creation

Building products, systems, and revenue streams that didn't exist before. From concept through production-ready deployment.

🔬

Venture-Style R&D

Running capital-efficient experiments inside corporations. Treating internal innovation with startup urgency and discipline.

Physical + Digital Convergence

Bridging hardware, software, and data systems. Industrial automation meets IoT, computer vision, and real-time analytics.

📊

Asset Intelligence

Lifecycle modeling, predictive maintenance, and fleet optimization. Turning physical assets into data-driven systems.

🏭

Manufacturing-First Thinking

Designing for production from day one. Prototyping that leads directly to scalable manufacturing workflows.

💡

IP Through Prototyping

Creating defensible intellectual property through rapid iteration, system-level design, and novel manufacturing processes.

Building Innovation Engines

Sterling Site Access Solutions
Head of Innovation / Director of R&D
Phoenix, IL & Lufkin, TX

Built and scaled the company's innovation function from the ground up, transforming it into a high-impact applied R&D engine.

📈
Created data-driven asset lifecycle models that doubled fleet lifespan, increasing internal rate of return by ~5×
📡
Designed and deployed company-wide RFID-based fleet intelligence system—real-time tracking of location, usage, degradation, and repair cycles
🔧
Reduced asset repair cost and turnaround time by ~30% through engineered tooling, automation, and new repair methodologies
🧪
Built automated mechanical test systems to generate proprietary performance data and accelerate product iteration
🏗️
Incubated next-generation CLT and hybrid structural products to expand into new markets
⚙️
Designed and implemented multiple production lines integrating custom material handling, motion systems, and PLC-based automation
👥
Built and led a multidisciplinary innovation team across mechanical, materials, automation, and data systems
📋
Created defensible IP through rapid prototyping, system-level design, and novel manufacturing workflows
Independent Consultant
Principal / Innovation Architect
Innovation, Automation & Systems Design

Partnered with companies to design, prototype, and deploy novel automation systems, AI-enabled inspection platforms, and production tools.

🤖
Designed and delivered PLC-controlled motion systems, conveyor platforms, and industrial inspection rigs
👁️
Built computer vision systems for automated defect detection, measurement, and classification
Delivered UL-compliant equipment for consumer and industrial applications
🔗
Created full-stack solutions spanning hardware, firmware, data pipelines, and operator interfaces
🏢
Clients include: Amazon, Adidas, Siffron, and UL partners
Sears Holdings
Product Manager, Video & Innovation
Chicago, IL

Led the creation and scaling of Sears' video and media infrastructure.

🎬
Expanded digital video library from 6,000 → 40,000+ assets
📊
Designed post-view attribution and performance tracking systems
💰
Contributed to product page redesigns that drove $27M in AOV growth
👥
Led cross-functional teams across engineering, design, marketing, and analytics
Protect-A-Bed / Remfit
Growth, Product & Brand Leadership
Chicago, IL

Drove transformational growth through product innovation and brand strategy.

📈
Drove 400% growth in online sales
📺
Secured national media coverage
🎯
Led brand repositioning and new product launches
🏆
Delivered back-to-back record sales years

Building My Own

Current Venture

FibraForge

Replacing plastics with carbon-negative materials at scale

Advanced materials venture focused on scalable, fiber-based, carbon-negative systems. Developing molded fiber packaging and structural panel systems with novel manufacturing platforms.

4 Provisional Patents Composite Materials High-Throughput Spray-Forming Closed-Loop Moisture Control Climate-Positive Materials
Shipped Product

Cat Matter

Design-forward modular furniture via Kickstarter

Led full-stack product creation from industrial design through prototyping, manufacturing, branding, and fulfillment. Successfully shipped end-to-end physical products to market.

Kickstarter Launch Industrial Design Manufacturing End-to-End Fulfillment

What I've Built

📡
RFID Fleet Intelligence Platform
Asset Tracking · IoT
⚙️
Automated Mechanical Test Systems
R&D Infrastructure
🏭
PLC-Controlled Motion Platforms
Industrial Automation
👁️
AI Visual Inspection Systems
Computer Vision
🏗️
Hybrid CLT/Steel Structural Prototypes
Advanced Materials
🌿
High-Throughput Molded Fiber Systems
Sustainable Manufacturing

Technical & Strategic

Technical Depth

Automation & Controls
PLC Programming Motion Control Industrial Automation RFID / IoT Digital Twins
Systems & Software
Computer Vision Data Pipelines Full-Stack Development Firmware Machine Learning
Manufacturing
Production Line Design Rapid Prototyping Advanced Materials Material Handling Process Optimization

Strategic & Leadership

Innovation
New Venture Incubation Applied R&D Leadership IP Development Innovation Strategy
Execution
Zero-to-One Creation Capital-Efficient Experimentation Cross-Functional Leadership Technical Storytelling
Domain Expertise
Asset Intelligence Lifecycle Modeling Fleet Optimization Manufacturing Systems

What's Next?

Looking for someone who builds innovation engines,
not just runs them.

Whether it's standing up an R&D function, developing new product lines, or bringing venture-style thinking to corporate innovation—I'd love to talk about what you're building.