Stephen D. Ricketts

Velocedge, Inc. 
Ann Arbor, Michigan 

President
January 1998 – Present

· 1998 Start-up to provide software, design, and operational support services of computer and satellite networks for Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) systems.

· Founder and principal consultant responsible for business and technology development.

· Develops Communication And Distance Education (CADE) software for video broadcasting and interactivity via the Internet.

· Develops software for remote management and control of networks of stand-alone PCs.

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

· Developed suite of interactive distance learning software and wireless hardware products.

• Studio Control System
• Virtual Classroom
• Web Applications
• Wireless Response Controls

· Implemented computer network, designed broadcast studio, selected studio and downlink equipment, satellite and audio/data response system, trained clients in IDL instructional design and delivery, and developed web based applications.

· Provided Help Desk and network management for 240 and 400 site networks in U.S. and Canada.

The Interactive Distance Learning Group, Inc. 
Ann Arbor, Michigan 

President
December 1996 – Present

Advanced Manufacturing Research 

Principal

· $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

· 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.

· Subject Matter Expert for Advanced Manufacturing Research consulting

· 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

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

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

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

Vice President Technology
July 1991 – November 1996

International Center for Manufacturing Sciences

Vice President - 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 25 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

· 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 50 collaborative research projects

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

SEMATECH
Austin, Texas 

Technical 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

· 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 - May 1987

Systems Control (Scicon Subsidiary)
Palo Alto, California 

Director of Engineering

PS Systemtechnik,GmbH 
Essen, West Germany 

Technical Advisor, Board Member

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

· Scicon parent of English, French, German, and U.S. operating companies.

· Reported to the CEO, managed 50 employees.

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

· Created international marketing strategy for manufacturing system product development

· Developed integrated portfolio of advanced manufacturing system products with annual budget of £14 million

· Managed $500k to $20m multi-national development projects

· Acquired two companies, rights to three software products

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

· Managed fixed price software development projects

Realtron Corporation, Inc. 
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 

Vice President Product Development
February 1980 - March 1982

Real Data Inc.
Los Gatos, California 

President & Founder

Epoch Micro Design, Inc.
San Jose, California 

President & Founder

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

· Reported to the President, managed 10 employees.

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

· Marketed application program generator

· Developed 1st turn-key PC Real Estate Broker system

· Sold company to Realtron Corporation, Inc.

· Increased market share, and took customers from competitor which had never lost to Realtron

· Founded company to develop a navigational computer for general aviation based on low frequency radio signals

Related Experience and Education 

January 1970 - August 1976