Resume - updated phone contact

1. JOHN G. HOWE
393 Rodgers Way
Columbus, MS 39702
662-523-9433
tread13@aol.com
Experienced Leader/ QualityWarrior/ Project Manager/ Problem Solver /
Engineer
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Over thirty years of engineering, quality, product design & development, project management and practical problem
solving experience in automotive systems and components,commercial / consumer mechanical & electro-
mechanical products and components from concept development through production launch and post launch product
support.
 Twenty-three years of automotive experience including fourteen years working directly for or supporting
OEM or Tier 1 companies such as Chrysler, Mercedes, Arvin Industries,Visteon, Nissan, Janesville
Acoustics,Eaton, Ford, General Motors, TI Automotive, Borg-Warner Automotive and Grammer Inc.
 Nineteen years of increasing management responsibility in both engineering and quality including over
three years at the Director / VP level.
 Sixteen years with injection molded product design, development and support.
 Fifteen years of practical hands-on experience in quality management and product support in ISO 9001 /
QS 9000 / TS 16949 manufacturing environments including involvement with and AIAG training in
FMEA, Control Plans, APQP, PPAP, SPC, MSA, GD&T and QS9000 / TS 16949 requirements and
procedures.
 Eleven years of experience in steel fabrication, weldments, stamping, machining and othersteel processing.
 Twelve years of experience in automotive interior trim systems and components.
 Extensive involvement and experience working with customers and suppliers on a variety of projects
including product containment, development, support; cost reduction,and quality issues,product
documentation and packaging issues.
 New product launch lead experience including launching into a brownfield operation.
 Experience with developing and improving documentation control procedures and quality systems in
conformance to ISO 9000 / QS 9000 / TS 16949 quality standards.
 Knowledgeable and experience using 8D & PDCA / A3 problem solving methodology to betterunderstand
and prioritize problems, determine root causes and implement effective corrective actions and counter
measures. Versed in working within a Lean organization.
 Knowledge and understanding of composites,compression formed, extruded and vacuum formed plastics,
and automotive non-woven carding, molding and water jet cutting of non-woven formed interior soft trim.
 Experience and knowledge in mechanism design, DC motor control, DC motors, AC linear actuators,
precision rollers, wood & laminated products,PVC belting, Rapid Prototyping methods such as SLA and
rubber molds, electronic wiring, automotive interiors including IP, door trim and floor consoles, automotive
exterior trim & lighting, and radiators.
 Experience in transitioning operations to and from new facilities including the transfer and setup of new
prototyping and testing facilities, and cost justification, analysis & quoting for the outsourcing of stamping,
machining, and heat treat operations.
 Budgetary responsibility up to $1.5 M.

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Apr 2016 to Present – Grammer Inc. – Industrial Lead Engineer (ILE) / Project Launch Manager – Tupelo, MS
 Currently serving dual roles as Industrial Lead Engineer & Quality Planner supporting serial
production of this product.
 Successfully launched the GM E2LB-N (2017 Buick LaCross) floor console project from a
brownfield operation with 0 CPPM after 5 months.
 Responsible for project management & APQP plant level Quality launch support for GM
E2LB-N Floor Console assembly which is the first automotive program for the new plant.
Primary interface between GM SQE and the Grammer, Tupelo plant.
 Successfully drove down defects reaching GP12 from 13% to less than 1% within 2 weeks of
implementing QRQC methodology on the console assembly line.
 Managed major incoming supplier issue on armrests through incoming inspection, boundary
sample creation, supplier communication, weekly defect categorization & reporting resulting
in a 80% reduction in defects being received by the customer as well as a 90% reduction in
defects impacting the assembly line.
Jun 2015 to Present – Grammer Inc. – Quality Planner – Tupelo, MS
 Currently responsible for using GP12 & EOL defect reports to drive internally generated
defects (IPPM’s) to zero PPM utilizing companies GPQ process which is based on PDCA &
QRQC problem solving methodologies.
 Primary responsibility for all production quality support and improvements for GM E2LB-N
product.
 Responsible for APQP plant level Quality launch support for GM E2LB-N Floor Console
assembly which is the first automotive program for the new plant. Primary interface between
GM SQE and the Grammer, Tupelo plant.
 Develop & integrate quality procedures for E2LB that satisfy both GM QSB+ / BIQ-S quality
criteria and Grammers’ corporate GPQ quality systemincluding Verification Station setup,
Fast Response problem solving integration with GPQ, PFMEA / Control Plan management
and input into Poke Yoke / Error Proofing systems on assembly line development and
implementation.
 Develop & implement LPA (Layered Process Audit) systemto support E2LB-N product
launch.
 Develop & implement GP12 process to support E2LB product launch.
 Responsible for managing GM GQTS APQP & PPAP process for E2LB-N program at plant
level including management of plant level status reporting for Greenfield / Brownfield open
issues & Quality Wall.
Oct 2014 to Jun 2015 – TI Automotive – Sr. Quality Engineer, Vance, AL
 Provide Quality support to Vance, AL satellite facility which provides fuel delivery systems
to Mercedes C-Class (W205) program.
 Manage two Quality Techs in maintaining quality systems and addressing quality concerns
from the line including product rework activities and problem resolutions.
 Tear down / rework tanks and trouble shoot failures as required using various power tools and
equipment.

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 Perform daily gage measurements on 3D check fixture, microtome weld evaluations using
electronic microscope, and various quality validation tests as required.
 Created a scrap & line defect capture and reporting process to measure the facilities
performance level in these areas and to focus corrective action efforts on top 5 issues utilizing
Pareto analysis and practical problem solving methodology. Progress was monitored with
weekly team meetings and tracked on a Corrective Action Tracking Sheet. The result of these
efforts has been a 40% reduction in defects found in the GP12 containment activities.
 Identified root cause for HLT failures using both observationaland experimental techniques
to prove both correlation and causation of the root cause.
 Provided contract Quality Engineering support for launch of Chrysler RU (minivan) program
including creating Process Flow, PFMEA and Control Plan documentation for PPAP process.
Apr 2014 to Oct 2014 – Janesville Acoustics – Quality Manager, Columbus, MS
 Responsible for a team of one Quality Engineer and three Quality Techs supporting a 3 shift 5
to 6 day per week operation.
 After assuming responsibility for TS 16949 compliance and acting as both the Quality
Manager and Quality Engineer for the plant, successfully implemented effective corrective
actions to address 7 non-conformances (3 majors & 4 minors) within 90 days to remove our
TS 16949 certificate from suspended status. This involved an additional 12 non-
conformances that were previously not addressed from three previous quarterly internal
audits.
 Implemented a new reject review process that improved the accuracy of reported rejects from
less than 70% to 98% within 30 days.
 Lead the effort to initiate and implement PDCA / A3 focused problem solving methodology
using cross functional teams to address the top CAPA issues within the plant.
 Drove internal containment costs from $18K per month to less than $4K per month while
maintaining low external sorting costs and high customer satisfaction.
 Currently responsible for launch management and PPAP activities for two new Chrysler
programs, LX (300) and RU (Minivan) underbody systems as well as the new Nissan L42N
(Maxima) program adding over $30M of new business.
Oct 2013 to Apr 2014 – Janesville Acoustics – Quality Engineer, Columbus, MS
 While responsible for internal Safe Launch and containment efforts, monthly external sorting
costs dropped from $8K to $10K down to zero for 7 straight months,and increasing to $1500
once in the following 4 months while customer satisfaction improved, as measured by our
monthly scorecards,to the mid and upper90% level for Ford, Nissan and Chrysler.
 Using data from Safe Launch activities, we drove 1st pass defects down below 3% for the
L42C program.
 Managed the rework of over 5000 L42C Trunk Side parts while simultaneously protecting the
customer with our Safe Launch efforts resulting in zero defective product reported by the
customer of these parts. This effort was necessary until we were able to produce our own
blank material which resolved the issue.
 Successfully launched and PPAP’d the transfer of the Nissan L42C (Maxima) Trunk Sides
and Wheel Liners to our plant.
 Successfully launched and PPAP’d the new Tesla RHD Electric Vehicle Carpet Floor and
Dash Insulator program.
 Managed all PFMEA, Control Plan, Process Flow and Work Instruction documentation for
Nissan L42L (Altima) & L42C (Maxima), Ford Fusion, and Chrysler Jeep programs produced
in the plant.

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 
2004 to Oct 2013– PSS & QRS - Owner / Project Manager / Customer Quality Engineer, Columbus, MS
Quality related support and containment services to the Automotive Industry.
 As the owner of PSS, I successfully recognized the changing market conditions in the
automotive industry in 2006, with slowing industry sales projection and slowing receivables
and increasing rumors of bankruptcy from our customer base, I took decisive action to
significantly reduce our exposure and eliminated over 80% of our product sorting and
containment activity laying off all but a key group of employees. This team focused on
providing customer liaison / customer quality engineering support for several key accounts
(Tier 1 / Tier 2) with the ability to rapidly respond to stabilize a product quality issue on-site
until a localized 3rd party containment provider could take over those activities for the longer
term. After which I would continue to manage the containment activity on behalf of my client
and serve as the liaison to the end customer often taking part in the corrective action activities.
This change in strategy has allowed the company to survive to this day providing high quality
rapid response containment services to key automotive suppliers in AL and MS.
 Maintain open and direct communication and dialogue with clients and end customers
regarding quality defect levels on containments using various quality reports,tools, charts
(Pareto, Histograms, SPC, Control Charts, DOE, 8D, 5Y, PFMEA, Process Flow, PDCA /
A3) and methodology in accordance with APQP quality standards.
 Responsible for managing multiple projects across various geographic locations which
included managing up to 50 employees and providing product containment services and
quality engineering support to various automotive suppliers located in AL and MS who
serviced the Nissan plant in Canton, MS and the Mercedes plant in Vance, AL.
 Assist in determining root cause for product quality issues and implementation and
management of containment and corrective actions at the plant level utilizing SPC, FMEA,
DOE, APQP, 8-D, and PPAP methodology and tools.
 Responsible for sales and marketing efforts to build the business with various automotive
suppliers in the regions of MS & AL for our product containment and engineering support
services.
2003 to 2004 - The PIC Group – Project Manager, Canton, MS
2002 to 2003 – The PIC Group – Supplier Quality Engineer - Lextron / Visteon , Canton, MS
Quality related support and containment services to the Visteon VRAP facility at the Nisan Plant..
 Coordinate and support incoming product quality issues to the plant from dozens of external
parts suppliers.
 Assist in determining root cause for product quality issues and implementation and
management of containment and corrective actions at the plant level and supplier level
utilizing SPC, FMEA, DOE, 8D, Control Plans and PPAP tools and methodology in
accordance with the existing APQP system.
 Maintain open and direct communication with suppliers regarding quality related issues on
their product.
 Support production lines with quality related issue to minimize impact to production.

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 Support VRAP Quality Dept. with product quality related issues.
2000 to 2002 - AETNA BEARING COMPANY, VP – Engineering & Quality, Chicago, IL
Leading manufacturer of automotive and agricultural bearing assemblies.
 Lead the efforts of the Engineering, Quality, Production Control and Purchasing Departments.
 Managed thirteen people, an operating budget of $500K, and a capital budget of $250K.
 Supported $3M stamping operation & tool room which included 12 presses from 60T to 600T
and stockthickness from .040” to .280”.
 Performed complete engineering analysis and cost justification for outsourcing the heat treat,
screw machine and stamping departments totaling over $3M in outsourced business.
 Maintained the QS9000 Quality System to assure compliance with existing standards
including rewriting and implementation of quality policies and procedures.
 Revamped the engineering documentation systemto improve ECN efficiency, accessibility,
and accuracy.
 Implemented and staffed a major project to review and revise all drawings, BOM’s, routings,
and otherdocumentation for accuracy and completeness.
 Managed the successfullaunch of a redesigned clutch assembly for an agricultural seeding
unit for improved performance.
 Managed a critical project, for our largest customer, to provide twenty-five corn-head idler
sprocket prototypes,ofvarious designs,in less than 30 days.These sprocket designs included
both plastic and steel alternatives.
 Resolved a major warranty issue, on our highest volume clutch release bearing, by identifying
the root causes and implementing manufacturing process changes as well as short and long
term design modifications to improve the integrity, manufacturability and profitability of that
product.
1999 to 2000 - SAFETY-KLEEN, INC. – Director – Product Engineering, Elk Grove Village, IL
Leading environmental services equipment and service provider.
 Lead the efforts of a team of fourteen engineers, designers,and technicians towards the
development of parts cleaning equipment, water processing equipment, and other types of
environmental cleaning and processing equipment.
 Spearheaded an effort to streamline the engineering release process to improve both the
turnaround time and the information communicated during the documentation process.
 Eliminated the practice of releasing products without adequate testing and development which
was draining the company’s resources.
 Stabilized the team’s manpower by quickly filling six (6) open positions and preventing two
(2) pending resignations.
1998 to 1999 - UNIVERSAL FITNESS – Director – Research & Development, West Point, MS
Manufacturer of consumer fitness equipment.
 Responsible for the development of both product and systems for this new division of
Flexible Flyer Acquisition Corporation including oversight of the $1.5 million R&D budget,
establishing a new 25,000 square foot test facility, supervising the prototype s hop,and
managing 11 designers,engineers,and technicians.

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 Implemented a product development process,drawing standards,ECN controls system, BOM
system, P/N system, testing standards,and design philosophy which were all ISO 9000
compliant.
 Successfully launched three treadmill models in a less than ideal environment, and initiated
the development of two new treadmill platforms and an outside R&D project to develop a
composite treadmill platform.
1997 to 1998 - CHAMBERLAIN GROUP – Senior Project Engineer, Elmhurst, IL
Leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial garage door openers.
 Responsible for leading the development efforts on the tubular rail project for the new BDC
product line of garage door openers.
 Directly involved with development of the roll-form process for the tubular rail as well as the
design validation of a swaging process for a rectangular tube.
 Coordinated all testing activities for the rail project as well as the build-up and installation of
over 300 field units across the country.
1991 to 1997 – LIFEFITNESS – Franklin Park, IL
Leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial fitness equipment.
Project Manager - Treadmill Development (September 1993 to May 1997)
 Responsible for new product development for both the commercial and consumer market.
This included the successfullaunch of the TR3500/TR4500 consumer treadmill platform, the
redesigned TR5500 consumer treadmill and the TR8500 commercial treadmill and initial
concept development of the new TR9000 series commercial treadmill.
 Responsible for the support of existing commercial treadmill products such as the TR9000
and TR9500.
 Responsibilities involved project planning, scheduling, budgeting; directing the activities of a
team of designers,engineers and technicians,and coordinating all testing activities for both
field and in-house testing.
 Maintained close interface with other departments such as Marketing, Purchasing,
Manufacturing, Product Support, Sales, and Accounting to insure the technical excellence of
the product and the success ofthe project.
 Successfully developed strong working relationships with key vendors in the industry. These
relationships led to jointly developed new products and provided early access to new
technology and/orproducts developed by the vendors.
 Duties included a significant amount of engineering and analysis work during the heavy
design phases of the project.
Senior Mechanical Engineer / Project Leader - (1992 to 1993)
 Instrumental in bringing the companies first consumer treadmill to production on time and
under budget.The TR5500 was well received by the market and received high ratings in
Consumer Reports. First year warranty claims were below 1%.
 Engineering responsibilities included the design, development, and analysis of various
mechanical components such as bearings, shafts,structuralplastic components,steel
weldments, drive & conveyorbelts, pulleys, and hardware. Worked with injection molded and

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sheet molded plastics, steel tubing,sheet metal, and wood products,as well as various
elastomers.
 Developed test plans for field testing and lab testing and supported all testing activities.
Senior Mechanical Engineer (1991 to 1992)
 Responsible for the development of feasibility models for a band-brake load device for bike
and climber products.
 Developed mathematical design models to determine performance characteristics and built
actual working models to evaluate performance. These models were the foundation for the
development of an eddy current load device which was used on the LS5600 stair climber and
the LC3500 aerobic trainer.
 Developed a working model of a total body ski machine for preliminary product evaluation
and review.
1990 to 1991 - ARVIN INDUSTRIES (Gabriel Ride Control) – Project Engineer, Carol Stream, IL
Leading manufacturer of automotive suspension components and systems.
 Supported the development activities on the Adaptive Suspension systemfor the 1995 Ford
Explorer in the prototype concept and production readiness phases.
 Developed computerized project plans, project presentations,budgets and resource plans.
1988 to 1990 - BORG-WARNER AUTOMOTIVE – Product Engineer, Bellwood, IL
Leading manufacturer of automotive transmission components.
 Responsible for supporting over $5 million worth of One Way Clutch business with Ford and
General Motors..
 Responsibilities included failure analysis, product development, and product support for Ford
and General Motors product lines. Interfaced regularly with Engineering and Purchasing
personnelto maintain open communications and to make sure the product and customer were
supported adequately.
 Developed strong working relationships with internal factory personnel to resolve problems
quickly and efficiently.
1987 to 1988 – HENDRICKSON INTERNATIONAL – Product Engineer, Burr Ridge, IL
Leading manufacturer of commercial truck suspensions.
 Product development & testing of commercial vehicle air suspensions
1984 to 1987 - CHRYSLER CORPORATION – Detroit, MI
Automobile manufacturer.
Product Development Engineer
 Held initial assignments with the Manual Transaxle Group, Engine Development Group, and the Vehicle
Dynamics Group supporting their product development efforts.

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 All assignments involved the design,development, and testing of automotive components and systems.A
majority of my time was spent with the Manual Transaxle Group developing a new 5-speed manual
transmission system.
 Developed a great working relationship with the design group, manufacturing personnel, lab technicians,
management, suppliers and peers.
EDUCATION
 Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), 1984
University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign, Illinois
 Master of Business Administration (MBA), 1992
DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
 AIAG training in FMEA, DOE, Control Plans, APQP, PPAP, GD&T and QS9000,2001.
 Nissan / M-Tek Supplier Training – PPAP / Problem Solving & Capacity Management measurement
& documentation requirement for new programs.
 Lean / Six Sigma Training, Current
Pyzdek Institute
 Introduction to Operations Management – May 2015
Coursera / University of Pennsylvania – Wharton School of Business
 I Heart Stats – June 2015
EdX / University of Notre Dame
AWARDS
 Delta Mu Delta & Beta Gamma Sigma, National Honor Societies
DePaul University, 1992
 Received appointment to US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD – 1979
SKILLS
 Currently pursing my Six Sigma Black Belt Certification with targeted certification within six months.
 Project Management
 Self taught on Lean concepts,principals and methodology
 Skilled in PDCA / A3 problem solving methodology utilizing 5Y root cause analysis,Ishikawa-Fishbone
diagrams cause analysis and A3 reporting.
 Highly proficient with most Windows based software applications including Word, Excel, Project, Power
Point and Access.
 Understand GD&T
 Excellent problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
 TS 16949