This document provides a summary of W. James Therrien's professional experience and qualifications. Over his 30+ year career, he has held several executive leadership roles in manufacturing companies, specializing in operations management, sales, and lean transformation. More recently, he founded two consulting firms focused on lean manufacturing and mentors veterans and youth. He brings strengths in strategic thinking, networking, and developing others.

1. W. JAMES THERRIEN
21935 Emily
Frankfort IL 60423
(708) 507- 2773
jastherrien@sbcglobal.net
Page 1
Manufacturing executive with over 30 years of success in sales and
operations management in the aviation, welding, printing and food processing
industries.
Professional Highlights:
Significant contributor to the success of business and volunteer organizations by utilizing my strengths in
networking, strategizing and influencing others for the benefit of all parties concerned.
 Ability to create an atmosphere where creativity and innovation thrive
 Mentor that listens well, asks probing questions and helps develop ideas with others
 Unique ability to influence others to willingly accomplish objectives
 Strategic thinker that builds success by developing plans and executing to measureable results
 Leverage professional resources through business and personal network
Retired and volunteering:
Veterans Administration – mentor Veterans in finding meaningful employment 2013 – Present
and a career track with a future,
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) -Young Eagles Program 2014 – Present
(coordinating rides for youth ages 8-17 in light airplanes one Saturday per month)
Illinois Aviation Museum – Assist Bolingbrook, IL area youth build a flyable airplane 2014 – Present
(Zenith Cruiser 750)
Career Accomplishments:
Founded: Therrien Industrial Consulting,Inc. TIC, Inc. 1996-2015
Co-Founded: Advanced Performance, Inc. (Consulting) (API, Inc) 2004-Present
TIC, Inc. and API, Inc are both Lean Manufacturing Transformation companies that
accelerate deliveries, improve quality and increase cash flow. They have successfully
operated in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana for over fifteen years.
 Developed a Lean Manufacturing Transformation program with a simultaneous top down and
bottom up approach that allowed organizations to implement Lean principles in a cost effective,
timely manner that generated rapid results and long-term staying power with a minimum of
disruption.
 Included in the transformation program were training modules for leading and managing in a Lean
environment. These modules focused primarily on CEO mentoring and interpersonal skills for
executive and mid-level managers to aid in transitioning to a more team based environment.
 Coaching managers in how to unleash the creative energy of their teams was a key element of
the success of the program.

2. W. JAMES THERRIEN
21935 Emily
Frankfort IL 60423
(708) 507- 2773
jastherrien@sbcglobal.net
Page 2
o (Non-banking Electronic Gift Cards) - Laid the groundwork with Lean Manufacturing to
progress to Advanced Manufacturing while simultaneously developing the Executive
Team and Mid level managers to Lead and Manage in a Lean Environment
o (Food Processor) - Increased plant capacity by 10% by reducing shift start-up times
o (Custom Equip. Mfg.) - Improved net profits by 3% through improved productivity and
inventory reductions
o (Automotive Catalytic Converter Manufacturer) - Increased Gross Profit on the
most significant product line by 15%
Bernard Division/Dover Corporation (Fortune 500 company), Beecher, IL 1978 – 1996
Vice President of Operations (reported to President) 1989 – 1996
Directed all manufacturing and engineering operations
 Utilizing the Theory of Constraints as well as Deming’s and Schoenberger’s principles,
re-engineered all processes and realigned the workforce
 Designed new modular products utilizing standardized raw materials, eliminated potential for
intermittent quality problems reassigned engineering to marketing
 Successfully implemented a TQM process and major cultural change initiative over a four year period,
utilizing a facilitation process from a major university and become a team-based company
 Facilitated the change process at Burbank CA plant using Beecher, IL plant as the model
 135 Employees
Vice President of New Business Development (reported to President) 1986 – 1989
Identified new market opportunities and developed hybrid products to address them
 Successfully grew business over 20% in two years via new opportunities
 Managed engineering function to modularize Bernard’s product line, standardize raw materials and
develop a flexible manufacturing system
 Continued significant acquisition activities
 Member of strategic planning committee
Vice President of Sales (reported to President) 1984 – 1986
Directed all sales and distribution on a worldwide basis for $13 million enterprise
 Identified acquisition candidate and built relations resulting in a significant acquisition of a company
with a complimentary product line
 Developed OEM business from what had been a primarily aftermarket company
 Extensive sales and travel experience in North America, Western Europe, Far East and Australia
 Direct reports: (8) U.S. district managers, (1) London-based European manager
Director of Marketing (reported to President) 1979 – 1984
Directed all sales and marketing activities including forecasting, sales, distribution,
administration, pricing, market research, advertising and customer service
 Transitioned from wholesale to factory direct distribution system
 Promoted new products throughout Western Europe and developed a strong worldwide presence
General SalesManager (reported to Director of Marketing) 1978 – 1979
Hired, developed and deployed a direct sales force targeted on US
 Developed new field sales force
 Introduced new product line to domestic and international markets

3. W. JAMES THERRIEN
21935 Emily
Frankfort IL 60423
(708) 507- 2773
jastherrien@sbcglobal.net
Page 3
 Gained extensive sales and travel experience in North America and Europe
Aviation Instrument Manufacturing, Div. Narco Scientific Industries, Houston, TX 1974 – 1978
Sales Manager (reported to VP Sales)
 Directed all aspects of sales and provided input to the product planning committee
 Developed an aftermarket distribution system for this manufacturer of aircraft gyros
 Grew the aftermarket segment from less than 10% of sales to over 50% of sales
 Convinced the product planning committee to design and produce panel mounted
helicopter gyro that became an industry standard still in production today
 Gained extensive experience in all aspects of manufacturing
Standard Aircraft Equipment, Long Island, NY (reported to VP Sales) 1968 – 1974
 Managed wholesales sales for the general aviation business segment in
New England and New York
 Piloted company airplane in the course of business. Beechcraft Bonanza K35, E33C 1,684 hrs.
Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, Connecticut Air National Guard, Hartford Airmotive 1966 – 1968
Employed as an FAA licensed Aircraft and Powerplant mechanic while pursuing commercial pilot license
MILITARY EXPERIENCE
United States Air Force, Strategic Air Command 1961 – 1965
Staff Sergeant E-5 Honorable discharge
Jet Engine Mechanic, (5 level), B52( Nuclear) and KC135 aircraft
EDUCATION
Gehlhausen Ruda Assosiates. Star Leadership program for senior executives.
Graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership
Foundations of Leadership – LeaderLab – Leading Creatively - LeaderLink
Northern Illinois University – Quality Management Skills – SPC for executives
Graduate of the Program on Negotiation for Senior Executives hosted by Harvard, MIT, Tufts Universities
Air Kaman Instrument and Multi Engine Flight School –
Received FAA Instrument and Multi Engine ratings
Hartford Airmotive Commercial Flight School –
Received FAA Commercial Pilots License 1713143
Spokane Community College – FAA Airframe and Powerplant technician course –
Received FAA license 1596149
Community College of the Air Force – Numerous Jet Engine courses
US Air Force – Jet Engine Mechanic course – Strategic Air Command – Advance Jet Engine Training