Chris Wayne, PE, MBA

Experience

• 

  Datasouth Computer Corporation

  Mar 1990 - Feb 1993

  Mechanical Engineer
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  KEMET Electronics Corporation

  Mar 1993 - Mar 1997

  Mechanical Staff Engineer

  •Designed high-speed equipment for the manufacture of surface mount capacitors

• 

  Reeves Brothers Inc.

  Mar 1997 - Aug 1998

  Engineering Manager

  Manage engineering and maintenance departments with a staff of 25 employees comprised of engineers, technicians and mechanics. Oversee the administration of capital projects and participate in annual capital budgeting. Accountable for an annual departmental budget of $2 million, and capital budget of $2 million. Full responsibility for all campus utilities, infrastructure, capital equipment, leased equipment, and contracts. Tasked with rebuilding both engineering and maintenance departments after years of neglect and decline.Key accomplishments:•Managed three capital projects focused on increased productivity, reduced waste and reduced maintenance costs. Combined annual savings reached $600k with a 6-month payback•Implemented a program to pool resources with other autonomous business units with emphasis on human resources, tooling, and raw materials. The effort reduced spare parts inventory by $80k, and eliminated overtime pay for hourly personnel•Oversaw product R&D teams, and combined both engineering and R&D efforts to eliminate waste and reduce design phase lead time•Implemented pay-for-performance, skills training, and quarterly evaluation programs which improved morale and individual productivity•Implemented Datastream asset management software package, resulting in reduced equipment downtime and reduced tooling cost Show less

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  KEMET Electronics Corporation

  Aug 1998 - Feb 2007

  Selected to help create a culture of innovation and creativity in an environment resistant to change and lacking in new product growth potential. Responsible for managing the process of innovation from idea generation to product launch, and bridging the gaps between engineering, R&D, manufacturing and product marketing. Oversee the creation of strategic partnerships and alliances toward developing new products, processes and intellectual property. Build and oversee highly motivated and efficient product development teams, typically comprised of 2-3 engineers, 2-3 scientists, 6-8 technicians, and 3-4 mechanics.Key accomplishments:•Introduced project portfolio analysis and management as extensions of strategic marketing via real options analysis and decision analysis, thus capturing additional value not presented using NPV. These techniques simplify the capital budgeting process and ensure the efficient investment of development funds•Collaborated with major consumer and military electronics companies to design many new-to-market products including several patent applications and patents pending Show less

  • Senior Engineer

    May 2001 - Feb 2007

  • Senior Staff Engineer

    Aug 1998 - May 2001
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  South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership

  Feb 2007 - now

  Selected to create and deliver various training and consulting programs related to business growth and innovation including idea generation, portfolio management, engineering, product development, project management, strategic planning, sales and marketing.Key accomplishments:•Created and delivered a unique and effective business growth program tailored to small and medium sized companies, and holistic in scope. Typically increases the innovation success rate from 5% to 50%•Created and delivered a highly scalable hybrid product development system based on Lean Product Development and focused on innovation success with low risk and high reliability. Typically reduces lead-time by 50% and reduces project costs by 30%•Created and delivered a unique sales training program focused on commercial and industrial sales•Created and delivered a corporate strategic planning program tailored to small and medium sized businesses with a focus on innovation and growth•Created and delivered a corporate messaging and marketing improvement program that typically boosts sales revenue by between 30% and 60% Show less

  • VP of Business Development & Growth

    Feb 2008 - now

  • Vice President of Growth Services

    Feb 2007 - Feb 2022