Stephen D. Ricketts

• provide an innovative and technologically advanced vision

• communicate with all levels of management, company, and client personnel

• communicate orally and in writing in a clear and straightforward manner

• handle multiple projects and tasks

• analyze and interpret data

• maintain confidentiality

• make key decisions and solve problems while working under pressure

• manage multiple projects at one time

• prioritize and organize effectively

• show judgment and initiative and to accomplish job duties

• supervise, coach, and motivate others

• use personal computer and software applications 

Savant Technology Group, Inc. 
Ann Arbor, Michigan 

Director Distance Education
December 1996 – Present

The IDL Group, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan

The IDL Group was a $1m training cooperative founded in 1996 to reduce training cost, improve quality, and increase availability of interactive training programs for its Directing Partner manufacturing companies

President and founder responsible for business development, marketing, new technology, network development, and broadcasting.

Funded and supported by Directing Partners: Allied-Signal, Ford, General Motors, Goodyear, Hughes, Texas Instruments, Raytheon, and National Center for Manufacturing Sciences with participation of others.

President: December 1996-January 1998

Founded profitable distance learning company utilizing integrated Internet, multi-media, satellite broadcast network

Created weekly broadcast, satellite network based on needs assessment of major manufacturing companies

Implemented radically new revenue-share business model for course development within the training suppler industry

Developed partnerships with National Technical University, Westcott Communication, Workplace Training Network

Velocedge, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan
(name changed to reflect change in focus)

Velocedge was a privately held corporation formed to focus on the development of software products and provide design, operational support and services for satellite based Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) systems.

President and founder responsible for business and technology development.

Partner with several companies to form virtual corporation for software development and support remote management of networked computers.

Provides Help Desk and network management for satellite networks in U.S. and Canada.

Profitable in first six months of operation.

President: January 1998--July 2003

Developed the most advanced interactive satellite communications and training delivery software in the market, CADE (Communications And Distance Education) and web-based learning management support systems.  

Developed a wireless handheld participant response device with built-in microphone for audio and data interaction.

Provided services to Implement computer networks, designed broadcast studios, selected studio and downlink equipment, satellite and audio/data response systems, trained clients in IDL instructional design and delivery, and developed web based support applications.

Founded web-based international electronic trade business with U.S. and Japanese partners

Acquired customers that include: Canadian Automotive Repair and Service Council, K-Mart, Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, and others.

Savant Technology Group, Inc. 
(Acquired Velocedge in July 2003.)

Privately held corporation founded in 1986.  Provides consulting and markets the Communication And Distance Education (CADE) software system for interactive audio/video delivery via satellite and the Internet.

Responsible for the design, development, and technical sales support of the CADE portfolio of software products.

Managed software development teams based in Michigan and California

Director Distance Education: July 2003-Present

Developed the interactive distance learning market's most advanced web-based audio and video delivery system, eTutor.

Enhanced the CADE portfolio of interactive satellite delivery systems to include:

• Live & recorded interactive programs
• Live & recorded web delivery system
• Web based learning management system
• Wireless microphones & response devices

Developed partnerships with Broadcast International, Codecys, Diversified Media, Dish Network, Echostar, Globecast, Helius.

Acquired customers that include: Wal-Mart, UCSF Medical Centers, and others.

National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, Inc. 
Ann Arbor, Michigan 

Vice President Technology
July 1991 – November 1996

International Center for Manufacturing Sciences
Advanced Manufacturing Research 

$100m not-for-profit R&D consortium with 100 employees and 220 members formed in 1986 to improve competitiveness of US manufacturing industry

Reported to the President, managed 40 employees.

Responsible for strategic planning, technology agenda, international partnerships, and collaborative projects in systems architectures, communications, networks, training & education, supply chain management, management practices, technology transfer

Subject Matter Expert for Advanced Manufacturing Research consulting

Vice President of Research-Concurrent
Principal-Concurrent

Founded international R&D consortium (NCMS subsidiary)

Founded for-profit interactive distance learning company utilizing integrated Satellite, Internet, multi-media broadcast

Created electronic network of 25 state-of-the-art teaching factories and shared-use facilities

Developed Internet/Web based information services business

Managed over 150 collaborative research projects: Business practices, advanced materials, processes and equipment, information technology.

Gave over 200 presentations on technology, collaboration, deployment, intellectual property in US, Europe, and Japan

Designed/taught course internationally on Enterprise Resource Planning and Supply Chain Management for IBM

SEMATECH
Austin, Texas 

Technology Fellow
November 1989 - July 1991

$200m consortium of U.S. Semiconductor manufacturers with over 700 employees, formed in 1988 to develop advanced manufacturing processes, materials, equipment and systems.

Reported to senior staff, managed over 100 professional engineers and member assignees.

Responsible for development of an advanced architecture for Computer Integrated Manufacturing.

Defined semiconductor manufacturing reference architecture

Acquired model based manufacturing execution system

Published strategic technology concepts and implementation guides for semiconductor industry

Developed and deployed CASE Tools and implemented formal Object Oriented methodologies to member companies

Developed standard requirements specifications and models

Established six, 250+ member domain working groups

Transform Logic Corporation 
Scottsdale, Arizona 

Vice President - Product Development
August 1987 - November 1989

8 year old CASE products and consulting services focused on the improvement of productivity in software development. $12 million, 120 employees.

Reported to the President, managed 50 employees.

Responsible for strategic product planning, software product development, system architecture's, new technology, quality assurance, production control.

Planned and managed largest release in company history

Tripled market size

Developed Artificial Intelligence based reverse engineering system to analyze and interpret software source code

Implemented Optima world wide credit card processing system for American Express and Acquired IBM as joint development and distribution partner

Developed object oriented software PC development system

Established partners in Italy, Germany, China, and Japan.

Scicon International 
London, England 

Vice President Manufacturing Systems
March 1982 - August 1987

Systems Control (Scicon Subsidiary) Palo Alto, CA 
PS Systemtechnik,GmbH Essen, West Germany 

15 year old systems integration company providing development, consultancy and system products in manufacturing. $350 million revenue 4,500 people.

Reported to the Senior VP Products & Services, managed 50 employees.

Seconded to Scicon International, parent of English, French, German, and U.S. operating companies.

Reported to the CEO, managed international project development teams of over 1,500 employees.

Responsible for international marketing strategy and the development of an integrated portfolio of manufacturing system products

Director of Engineering
Technical Advisor, Board Member

Created international marketing strategy for manufacturing system product development

Developed integrated portfolio of advanced manufacturing system products with annual budget of £14 million: ERP, shop floor control, cell control, purchasing, corporate planning 

Managed fixed-price, multi-national projects from $500k to $20m including: 

• Library or Congress catalog system
• First credit card operated gasoline pump
• SCADA system for country of Saudi Arabia
• Environmental control system for Hong Kong Tunnel
• Firestone material control system
• Automated warehousing system for Collins Avionics

Acquired two companies, rights to three software products

Developed business plan and requirements for an integrated enterprise resource planning and shop floor system

Realtron Corporation, Inc. 
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 

Vice President Product Development
February 1980 - March 1982

Real Data Inc. Los Gatos, California (acquired by Realtron)

10 year old company providing publishing and on-line real estate services. $35 million revenue, 300 people.

Reported to the President, managed 20 employees.

Responsible for new system products, on-line service applications, product planning, technical sales support.

Marketed application program generator

President & Founder
 

Developed 1st turn-key PC Real Estate Broker system

Sold company to Realtron Corporation, Inc.

Increased market share, and took customers from largest competitor which had never lost an account to Realtron

Development of one of the industry's first Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) systems to generate software applications.