JOE LAURA

Livonia, MI 48152

H: 734-542-9778 C: 248-470-4139 jlaura@twmi.rr.com

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Product Planning; Program Management; Strategic Planning Defense and Automotive Industries
Highly motivated, collaborative Business Development Professional with strong program management experience delivering high-profile international and domestic products in Fortune 500 companies. Proven track record of increasing of revenues and cutting costs, while ensuring highest possible quality. Broad administrative skills and ability to quickly solve complex challenges. Resourceful, well-respected and equally effective working independently or as part of a team. Six Sigma Green Belt. Current top secret clearance.

Core Competencies
Business & Strategic Planning Cost-Benefit Analysis P&L Prototypes Manufacturing Product Launch Forecasting Budgeting Contracts Engineering Cost Controls

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ROCKWELL COLLINS Detroit, MI 2008-Oct.2011 Business Development Manager in the Detroit area. Interfaced with TACOM/ TARDEC (army, marines, program mgmt), National Guard, DHS, Border Patrol, Canadian Government, Brazilian, Indian & Turkish Military on surface solutions for military vehicles (communication). Closed business for 9,000 iForce units for Canadas RCMP for $54 Million. Sold 3 military iForce demo units to MI National Guard in intro to Department of Homeland Security Business. Developed contact plan and strategy and gained leadership approval to penetrate DHS market primarily through National Guard. Contact Points established for all 50 States and territories as well as the NG Bureau and Northern Command. Develop Canadian opportunities for Surface Solutions through the Canadian LCSS-LE & TAPV program. Current Program is $67M/ $101M for LCSS-LE & $68M for TAPV.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Promoted through various positions of increasing responsibility for this $140B major automotive company. Steel Board Program Manager (2005-2008) Oversee multi-department team to develop new steel utilization techniques. Manage 25 staff and $5M budget. Charged with achieving a $1B reduction in steel costs by 2009. Led cross-functional team to save $300M in steel costs, exceeding first year goal by 37%. Developed new coatings and steel production process. Reduced the number of steel components used to build cars and trucks. Combined, exceeded first year target savings of $220M by $80M.

COMBATT Project Manager (2003-2005)

Directed all developmental aspects for vehicle to compete with Armys HMMWV. Generated several contract proposals for incremental truck sales. Managed 40 people.

Created HMMWV-class prototype for U.S. government, exceeding project expectations. Ford awarded government contract to develop HMMWV replacement vehicle. Wrote business plan addressing stringent client specifications, including specialized chassis design. Manufactured prototypes deployed by U.S. Border Patrol. Contracted by U.S. Army to develop innovative, commercially based tactical truck (COMBATT) hybrid. Army required lightweight, fuel-efficient hybrid truck. Managed large team, including staff and vendors, in designing and building vehicle. Met all customer specifications, and added unique fuel storage system to maximize travel distance.

JOE LAURA 734-542-9778

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Systems Product Team Liaison (1999-2003) Product development liaison to Management Information Systems, implementing C3P to complete major design systems overhaul. Interacted with outside suppliers and Ford worldwide, including Mazda, to produce cars and trucks. F-350 Program Management Manager (1995-1998) Directed program management for new truck. Oversaw program control, product planning and cost reductions. Managed 15 people and $23M budget. HN80 Heavy Truck Program Control Manager (1994-1995) Identified and resolved engineering issues and maintained budget for program launch. Mustang Product Planner (1991-1994) Led major internal initiatives to save and revolutionize this auto icon. Generated corporate support for unique retro model of the Mustang product line. Brought model to market in 34 months; 14 months better than Fords average. Exceeded profit goal by six fold. Generated national media and consumer attention for Ford Mustang Mach III show car built in two months. Led volunteer product development team to hand-build two cars for prestigious auto shows. Won Car of the Show at renowned Detroit and Los Angeles shows and was featured on 50-plus magazine covers and myriad national TV programs. Helped save Ford Mustang. One year before Mach III project, Ford planned to discontinue the Mustang after 30 years. Joined eight-person skunk works team to reverse decision. Performed market feasibility studies. As product planner, wrote business proposal, incorporating study findings. Convinced Ford to continue producing this iconic product. Earlier: Chief Product Analyst Mustang, Ford Motor Company. Chief Product Analyst Ford Probe, Ford. Cycle Planning Analyst, Ford. Taurus/Lincoln Continental Planner, Ford. Financial Analyst, Ford. Engineer Light Trucks, Ford. Member of first Ford joint venture with Japanese Car Company. Laid foundation for Fords manufacturing interface with Mazda. Led initiative to develop common parts. Analyzed demographic studies to determine market niche. U.S. ARMY Colonel. US Army Reserves. Retired Served in Desert storm. U.S. Army War College, Command & General Staff, Ranger and Airborne graduate. Completed Military Police, Armor, Infantry Officer, Field Artillery and Human Resources advanced courses. Commanded brigade and battalion units. Awarded Legion of Merit.

EDUCATION
MBA, Finance, University of Detroit MS, Strategic Studies, Penn State University MS, Systems Management, University of Southern California BS, Engineering U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Graduate U.S. Army War College

SERVICE, AWARDS, PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS Community Livonia City Council, Livonia Board of Education, Director Livonia Family YMCA Articles Published Parameters Journal, Army War College, United States Strategic Intents sub-Sahara Africa Speeches Program Management Seminar presented to 1,000 U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen program sponsored by Ford Mustang