1. CHRISTOPHER R. IRGENS
19480 Killarney Way, Brookfield, Wisconsin 53045
(262) 227-2942, cirgens@execpc.com
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
Senior Level Product Development / Engineering Professional experienced across diverse industries driven by both
market and technology requirements; offering strategic leadership resulting in innovative and cost effective solutions
to new product, technology, manufacturing and company growth initiatives. A highly effective leader and
communicator with the ability to bridge the technical to business facets of industry. Demonstrated strengths in;
Effective Leadership and Mentorship Practices Product Road Mapping / Business Case Dev.
Creative, Results & Team Oriented Environments Product Development Process / Systems
Leading Advanced/New Product Development Adv. Manufacturing / Lean Process Development
New Business Dev. and Marketing Support DMAIC Six Sigma, DFM and Cost Reductions
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
WESTERN INDUSTRIES, ENGINEERED PRODUCTS GROUP, Watertown, WI 2010 – Present
Leading product development & manufacture of consumer appliance and commercial products.
Director of Product Development / Engineering
Leading both the Product Development / Engineering resources in the expansion and launch of new
products for our customers, and for our internally branded premium products. Western Industries
specializes in the development of consumer products for cooking, warming and ventilation for the
appliance industry.
CENTURY PRODUCTS, INC., Sussex, Wisconsin 2009 – 2010
Leading provider of products and equipment in the Horizontal Directional Drilling Industry.
Principal Consultant – Onsite Consultancy Assignment
Responsible for leading and directing all product development programs including, engineering staff,
suppliers, product design, documentation, analysis, validation, and manufacturing. Successfully launched
multiple new product categories extending this company to be a major player in Horizontal Directional
Drilling.
ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS, INC., Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2006 - 2009
Provider of Product Development, Engineering/Technical Services and Professional Staffing Services
General Manager
Overall leadership and direction for clients of both the Product Development and Technical Staffing
business segments including in-house product research, design / engineering, client project / program
management, client resources / vendors, and contract / direct staffing. Responsible for overseeing business
development, forecasting, P&L and daily operations. Championed a business model focused on providing
clients with a full complement of solutions for resolving resource gaps through product development,
professional technical services and / or staffing. Programs and markets range from consumer products,
commercial / industrial products, machine design, and process development. Clients include international
corporations, small / mid size companies, municipal projects, and individual inventors/entrepreneurs. Led
organization to triple sales over a three year period.

2. CHRISTOPHER R. IRGENS
MASTER LOCK COMPANY, Oak Creek, Wisconsin 1998 - 2006
Leading manufacturer of security, safety and automotive accessory products.
Director – New Product Innovation
Responsible for the overall leadership and direction of product development programs, technical staff, and
resources across multiple product categories and business units. Ensured the efficiency, quality, cost and
timeliness of all new product introductions. Facilitated the timely integration of new product research,
engineering, design and quality best practices into the company processes and systems. Established
personal development and mentorship programs and methodologies for progressing engineering
management and technical staff.
Sr. Staff Manager – Advanced Product Solutions
Overall direction and development of advanced product programs (R&D) and staff. Focused on
championing front end product development activities including; consumer need analysis and research,
ideation, product solution development, intellectual property review, product technical and market
feasibility, business case development and review, and project transition to and support of product launch
teams.
Sr. Manager - Product Engineering and R&D
Responsible for the leadership and direction of all product development programs, department operating
procedures, staff and staff development. Led the advancement of effective engineering, design, prototyping
and validation resources including their supporting tools, processes and systems. Established & maintained the
department’s capital and expense budgets.
Leadership Contributions / Achievements
Prominent leader and contributor in Master Lock being recognized as the most innovative Fortune
Brands’ company (2003/4).
Effectively restructured and led multiple Product Development Disciplines and resources (up to
33 technical staff). These disciplines included; Product Development Managers, Engineers
(mechanical / electrical / packaging), Design Staff (industrial / product / packaging), Model
Makers, Technicians (product / test), Project/Program Managers, Engineering Services, and
Corporate Quality.
Supported New Business Development, Marketing and Sales in the early product conception and
development phases with leading the development of product roadmaps and business cases,
establishing both product market and technical feasibility, and improving the company’s product
strategic planning process.
Led the expansion of the Idea Concept Bank of new growth opportunities through the promotion
of internal ideation and initiative projects, fostering an atmosphere / culture for innovation and
creating new product opportunities.
Oversaw the development of New Product Development Process, establishing functional
accountability and reducing development time for new products while maintaining design and
development process integrity.
Established the internal Design Engineering group as a core discipline for growth and company
competency while leveraging external design resources to compliment this capability.
Partnered to introduced Industrial Design into Product Development improving consumer need
research, ideation, design language consistency, product aesthetic design, and the overall
effectiveness and implementation of new product solutions.
Substantially enhanced the product prototyping and validation resources, documentation, and
capabilities assuring accelerated development times and robust designs at implementation.

3. CHRISTOPHER R. IRGENS
OUTBOARD MARINE CORPORATION (OMC), Waukegan, Illinois 1984 - 1998
Leading manufacturer of recreational boats and marine power products.
Senior Engineering Manager - Corp. Manufacturing Engineering
Directed an Advanced Manufacturing Process Development Group for Corporate Manufacturing
Engineering. Responsible for leading the research, innovation, testing, analysis and development of
conventional, lean and advanced manufacturing processes strategic to the marine power products industry.
Sr. Research Engineering Manger - Technology Dev. (R&D) Center
Directed one of two Research and Development groups in the advancement of New Product Designs and
Advanced Manufacturing Processes. Responsible for the leadership and personal development of 20 direct
reports (Advanced Product & Process Engineers, Designers, Model Makers and Technicians) and the
programs they supported. The typical project scope encompasses new product design and advanced
process development from concept, prototyping, validation testing and analysis through cost justification,
project implementation, and ongoing continuous improvement support (supporting Six Sigma
methodology and tools).
Research / Staff Research Engineer - Technology Dev. (R&D) Center
Directed development programs and staff for advanced marine power products; their design and related
manufacturing processes.
Research Engineering Experience – Fuel injector design & processing, Lost Foam casting, laser welding,
corrosion & wear resistant coatings, specialty machine design, rotary engine processing, connecting rod
fracturing, high speed machining & grinding, bi-metal machining, thermal spray coatings, ultrasonic
welding, metrology lab development, Statistical DOE (design of experiments), DFMEA, PFMEA, and
SPC.
Leadership Contributions / Achievements
Corp. Project Team Leader - Fuel Injector Systems Team
- Directed Research, Product Engineering, Manufacturing & Sourcing staff across multiple
facilities in the development of FICHT pump / nozzle design and processing.
- Realized clear improvements in product performance, reliability and cost.
- Successfully led the project team to achieve program target dates and costs through pilot,
production facility development and product launch.
- This patented technology opened business opportunities outside the marine industry.
Corp. Project Team Leader – Chrome / Cadmium Plating Elimination Team
- Successfully directed a corporate cross functional and multi-facility team in the reduction
and elimination of hazardous plating materials from our product and operations.
- Governor’s Award 1992 - Excellence in Hazardous Waste Reduction.
- Wisconsin Friend of the Environment Award 1993.
Two time OMC Chairman’s Award winner (Fuel Injection & Environmental) for demonstrating
initiative & leadership above and beyond.
CHRYSLER CORPORATION - Warren Truck Facility, Warren, Michigan 1983 - 1984
Management Development Program
BELOIT CORPORATION, Beloit, Wisconsin 1980 - 1982
Product Engineer
EDUCATION/ LICENSE / PATENTS
MBA, University of Wisconsin - Madison BSME, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Six Sigma Black Belt Cert., University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Professional Engineer (PE) - State of WI Patents – 26+
AFFILIATIONS
MSOE RPC Consortium Board of Dir., BSA – Former Committee Chairman, Eagle Scout