Rick A. Ball Resume June 2010

1. Rick A. Ball
2198 Kentucky Highway 1842N  Cynthiana, KY 41031
[C] 859-588-3176  stampingengineerrick@gmail.com
LinkedIn.com: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/rick-ball/15/a1a/3b1
Overview / Objective
Over 25 years progressive career in Engineering / Project Management with across-the-board
experience in project start-up and expansion operations, project plan development, process
improvement, body accuracy analysis and body fit problem countermeasuring, budgeting,
scheduling, team leadership and cross-functional collaboration. Strong foundation in Honda’s renowned
BP (Best Price-Position-Productivity-Product-Partner) lean manufacturing methodologies. Computer
adaptable (MS Excel, PowerPoint, engineering programs). Loyal, persistent, flexible, dedicated, capable.
Core Strengths
◘ Leadership Skills: Project Management (proven ability to meet critical time/budget constraints) . . .
staff/team supervision, training, mentoring . . . process, quality, safety and cost initiatives, including
process improvement . . . cross-functional collaboration (internal, domestic and foreign
partners/suppliers).
◘ Technical: Tooling design/development, fabrication, troubleshooting, scheduling, cost estimations,
negotiations . . . skilled in advanced tooling concepts and leading edge tooling tracking
methodologies . . . engineering change analysis, cost estimations, process improvements, body
accuracy improvements, proposals, negotiations . . . equipment design and evaluation, specifications,
layout development . . . component design/development, Quality Maturation Plan Development,
drawing analysis, process recognition . . . compliance review, testing, scheduling (FMVSS, JMOT,
EC, EPA).
Engineering Experience
LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.., Lexington, KY (June 2007-November 2009)
 PROCUREMENT MFG. ENGINEER, PS&SD, Supplies Commodities Engineering (2007-Nov. 2009)
Coordinate plastic, stampings and plastic welding tooling and part maturation from initial drawing
issuance, and tooling procurement through mass production tooling completion, made in China.
 Collaborate with international Lexmark manufacturing facilities in Mexico and China, and with
their plastic suppliers on review of part manufacturability, tooling process and cost efficiencies.
 Responsible to support and train Lexmark international corporate engineers to establish their self
reliance endeavors.
 Primary engineer in initializing the idea of, spec’ing necessary equipment, setting up and
coordinating a plastics welding lab at the corporate location.
 Globally responsible for plastics welding tooling procurement, development and hands-on
debugging of all required tooling within the organization, supporting domestic, China and ,Mexico
production, as well.
TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MFG., NORTH AMERICA (TEMA), Erlanger, KY (2000-2007)
 PRODUCTION ENGINEERING SPECIALIST, Supplier Production Engineering Center (2005-2007)
Coordinate Tooling and Quality Maturation from Simultaneous Engineering (drawing review/analysis
prior to prototype development) to trial stage production (2W). Collaborate with outside
domestic/foreign OEM stamping/welding suppliers on review of part manufacturability, body fit issues,
tooling process and cost efficiencies.
 ENGINEERING / PROJECT MANAGEMENT, Stamping Engineering / Body Production (2000-05)
Recruited to join engineering team, serving as departmental (thus North American) Project Leader for
TEMA die development activities (stamping dies, hem dies, ancillary equipment; coordination of repairs,
modifications and ECI implementations) for the new Tacoma, the new Avalon, current Step-side Tundra
and the latest Sienna mini-van.
Held overall responsibility for budgeting (development, tracking, reporting), scheduling (die fabrication,
testing, production coordination), class A surface reviews, project meetings (including TV
conferencing, on and off-site meetings), project books (prepared/maintained for ECI tracking, budget
and overall project data) and project status reports (presentations to senior management).

2. Rick A. Ball Résumé/Page
Two
 As department liaison, participated in cross-functional department meetings (R&D, Simultaneous
Engineering), providing input and coordinating feedback/reporting to engineers and management.
 Special project management included six-month on-site transition/implementation of stamping die
sets and ancillary equipment for the 500N to Indiana Stamping and Welding Departments. Served as
both Die Engineer and Project Leader during times of departmental manpower constraints.
 Coordinated first production of proto-die-less Hood S/As for Toyota Technical Center and other
TEMA and TMM-Indiana customers from ordering to final shipment.
HONDA OF AMERICA, MFG., Marysville / East Liberty, OH (1988-00)
 PRODUCT ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, Auto Quality Group (1996-00)
Led in ongoing development of door assemblies and other exterior components for the 1999-2002 Acura
TL models (solely coordinated initial review of exterior component drawings of the TL). Expertise
included stamping and welding components, class A surface reviews, painting aspects, rubber
extrusion, roll forming, and plastic injection. Attended Tooling and Quality Maturation Assembly
events in Honda’s new model headquarters in Japan.
 Served as strategic liaison between OEM suppliers, Honda R&D and in-house departments to ensure
production of a cost effective, high-quality body and trim parts and door assembly that met and
in many cases, exceeded all “quality expectations.” Reviewed CATIA 2D/3D drawings, identified
design flaws and negotiated engineering changes.
 COMPLIANCE, Certification Department, Auto Quality Group (1993-96)
Coordinated safety testing, documentation and other required tasks for new and current production
models to ensure compliance with federal and industry regulations (FMVSS, JMOT, EC, EPA).
Reviewed engineering changes for compliance with federal/industry certification and regulations.
As departmental Project Leader (for 1997 Acura CL), developed Certification Plan, established
budgets, scheduled test unit build and testing to meet critical mass production deadlines.
 Provided primary focus on enabling new model launch with “zero” outstanding regulation issues.
 Conducted numerous presentations to senior management, providing budgeting, test vehicle order
proposals, and ongoing project status reports.
 SUPPLIER SUPPORT / DEVELOPMENT, Purchasing Department (1988-93)
Provided technical and leadership support to suppliers on new model and domestically expanded
stamping tooling and weld equipment programs (1990/1994 Accords, 1992/1993 Civics). As
Engineering Coordinator, coordinated with OEM suppliers to ensure timely start-up of metal
stamping/tooling operations, monitored activities, and identified/negotiated cost reduction initiatives.
 Conducted four-week visit to Japan, observing advanced tooling fabrication (for 1990 Accord) and
leading edge tool tracking methodologies.
 Initiated/implemented ongoing major cost reduction program (Offal Project), saving Honda $1M
per year. Awarded promotion and senior management recognition.
 Involved in multiple cost reduction/quality up projects with stamping, rubber and plastic suppliers
including within Honda’s BP Program; improving production lines through process, safety,
quality and cost initiatives.
Additional past experience: Tooling Designer, Pressware International, Inc., Columbus, OH (1984-88) –
developed custom packaging designs for manufacture of conventional oven/microwave paperboard food
trays. Toolmaker, The Nippert Company, Inc., Delaware, OH (1977-84) – tool fabrication in support of
manufacture of copper machined parts and extruded copper wire.
Education
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Franklin University, Columbus, OH, 1987
A.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Design Option, Marion Technical College, Marion, OH, 1982