Michael W. Usrey
Ph.D., P.E., C.P.I.M.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelusrey
Technical Business Management Executive
Accomplished, multi-disciplined, and energetic business management executive with years of diverse experience developing, executing, and leading strategic visions and competitive strategies. Seasoned in effectively resolving complex technical and organizational problems, growing revenue, and delivering lasting growth. Proven track record of leading companies ranging from start-ups to notable industry leaders. Hands-on team leader and innovator with strong strategic, operations management, technology development, business development, and financial management capabilities. Excellent communication, collaboration, organization, and analytical skills.
Areas of Expertise
Professional Experience
Confidential, 2018 - Present
Consultant
• Assisting growing organizations as an interim executive or project consultant.
Sporian Microsystems, Inc., Lafayette, CO, 2006 - 2017
Executive Vice President | CMO | COO | CFO | Government Affairs
• Led the efforts of securing over $20M in revenue to date from Government and prime contractor prospecting.
• Developed extramural research, testing and manufacturing ecosystem for multi-organization research proposals.
• Responsible for negotiating all contract and grant awards.
• Identified opportunity and led corporate planning and execution in support of the Air Force Component and Engine Structural Assessment Research (CAESAR) program, the NASA Vehicle Integrated Propulsion Research (VIPR) program, and the Army/Navy "Iron Bird" program.
• Received formal recognition of Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL) by the Air Force CAESAR program for demonstration of smart, high-temperature, pressure sensors for turbine engine compressor discharge,
• Received Group Achievement Award from NASA VIPR program for "exceptional performance while conducting extremely complicated wing tests in a sophisticated and professional manner" in demonstration of dynamic, high-temperature, pressure sensors for turbine engine compressor discharge,
• Solely secured opportunities to "piggy-back" test sensor prototypes on jet engines from all major US manufacturers, including GE, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Honeywell, and Williams International. Each test represents an in-kind investment.
• Solely secured Space Act Agreement to develop non-turbine NASA applications for high-temperature pressure sensors.
• Published several papers with Government, University and industry collaborators to promote intelligent controls and smart sensors to the broader propulsion and air frame communities.
• Developed "Roadmap to Excellence" in direct response to the 2008/2009 financial crisis that combined strategies, tactics, resources, reorganization, and culture changes to position Sporian for greater post-recession success while also leading a strategic company portfolio review.
• Selected by the Boulder County Business Report as a Mercury 100 fast-growing business for successfully growing the corporate employee pool from just 7 employees in 2009 to a current staff of 30 while simultaneously achieving a 400% growth in revenue.
• Developed all aspects of government compliance processes. Prepared and reviewed all audit submissions, oversaw all field work responses, and solely conducted final agency negotiations.
• Developed, implemented, and led training events and seminars for all employees that directly enhance technical, organization theory, project management, leadership, motivation and compliance.
EnergyWindow, Inc., Boulder, CO, 1999 - 2005
Cofounder | Executive Vice President | CTO
• Built reverse auction platform allowing deregulated suppliers to bid on business consumer energy needs. In addition to auction platform, developed ancillary auction operations systems for utility electronic data interchange (EDI) and energy tariff pricing.
• One auction resulted in J. C. Penney realizing a cost savings of over one penny per kilowatt hour and $25 million in savings for their Texas operations.
• EnergyWindow received the Supplier of the Year Award for the project.
• The project generated over $250K in EnergyWindow revenue.
• Led all aspects of product research and development, operations management, facilities, telecommunications, ecommerce hosting, state PUC licensing, and intellectual property management activities.
• Spearheaded additional open source, affiliate and custom-coded projects for a comprehensive energy information portal including: performance management systems, decision support, weather history and forecasting, news, event calendars, career center, discussion forums and content integration.
• Developed in-depth processes, documentation and training to aid in the smooth and successful transition of projects to new IT personnel the acquisition of the company by Ecova.
University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 1997 - 2001
Assistant Professor
• Delivered high quality instruction as a key part of University of Colorado Boulder's Lockheed Martin Engineering Management Program.
• Led courses on Management of R&D, Principles of Product Development, Operations Management, Project Management, and Business Systems for Engineers.
• Cultivated and built a relationship with the School of Business to develop an Operations Management Track from the ground up.
• Developed, received approval for, and led new undergraduate course in introductory engineering management.
• Served as an advisor to the Boulder Tech Incubator program and assisted students in moving their innovative ideas forward.
Early Career Experience
Protocol Communications, Minneapolis, MN
Cofounder | President | CEO
• Founded and led all aspects of planning and operations, including special projects related to incorporation, corporate accounting, connectivity services, hosting services, e-commerce, and business marketing and sales, and oversaw a successful acquisition by Local Link.
• Continuously improved customer experiences while simultaneously driving on-time billing processes.
Honeywell - Commercial Aviation Systems, Minneapolis, MN
Project Manager, Senior Principal Engineer, Principal Engineer, Senior Engineer, Consultant
• Led comprehensive divisional IT transition related to Sperry merger.
• Served as chair of the divisional CIM team, developed divisional CIM strategic plan and divisional representative on aerospace business unit and corporate CAD/CAM councils.
• Led transition from stand-alone manufacturing and test equipment to integrated factory network..
• Led several manufacturing process improvement projects necessary to achieve lean manufacturing and lead time reduction from 58 weeks to 16 weeks.
• Divisional resource for design-to-production transition, manufacturing, production control and quality control.
Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory White Sands Missile Range, NM
Mathematician
New Mexico State University
Industrial Engineering Instructor
Education & Certifications
Ph.D. Industrial Engineering, Computer Science Minor, University of Minnesota
M.S. Industrial Engineering, Computer Science Minor, New Mexico State University
B.S. Mathematics, Economics Minor, New Mexico State University
Registered Professional Engineer, Colorado #33246 (PE)
APICS Certified, Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)
Honors & Awards
Group Achievement Award, NASA Vehicle Integrated Propulsion Research (VIPR) - 2016
Mercury 100, Boulder County Business Review - 2014
Innovation Quotent, Boulder County Business Review - 2012
Supplier of the Year, JC Penney - 2008
Best Paper Award Finalist, American Society for Engineering Management - 2000
Frontiers in Education New Faculty Fellow, American Society for Engineering Education - 2000
Professional Excellent Awardx and SPOT Awards, Honeywell - Multiple Recipient
Publication & Presentation Activity
Refereed Journals
• Usrey, M.W., K.F. Harsh, A. D. Brand, R.S. McKown, A.R. Behbahani, "Smart, In Situ, Wide Range Pressure Sensor for Advanced Engine Controls", SAE International Journal of Engines, Vol. vII, No. 4, doi:10.4271/2014-01-2167, SAE International, September 2014.
• Usrey, M.W., "Preferences of Adult Distance Learners", Computers in Education Journal, Vol. XIII, No. 3, (C. E. Wick, editor), pp. 53-60, Port Royal, VA: American Society for Engineering Education, July-September 2003.
• Usrey, M.W., "Assessing Alternate Delivery Mechanisms for Asynchronous Adult Distance Learners", Computers in Education Journal, Vol. XIII, No. 3, (C. E. Wick, editor), pp. 61-67, Port Royal, VA: American Society for Engineering Education, July-September 2003.
• Wilmeth, R.G. and M.W. Usrey, "Reliability Centered Maintenance: A Case Study", Engineering Management Journal, Vol. 12, No. 4, (T. Eschenbach, editor), pp. 25-31, Rolla, MO: American Society for Engineering Management, December 2000.
• Usrey, M. W. and K.J. Dooley, "The Measurement of Consumer Attitudes Concerning Software Quality", Quality Management Journal, Vol. 5, Issue 2, (B. B. Flynn, editor), pp 42-57, Milwaukee, WI: ASQ, April 1998.
• Usrey, M. W. and K.J. Dooley, "Dimensions of Software Quality", Quality Management Journal, Vol. 3, Issue 3, (G. S. Easton, editor), pp 67-86, Milwaukee, WI: ASQ, July 1996.
Refereed Proceedings
• Usrey, M. W., R. R. Depew, P. Kalgren, A. Duke, L. Frediani, R. S. McKown, B. R. Schaible, D. Schoonover, L. Wright, A. Brand, and C. Lyman, "Wireless Sensor Suite for Electrical System Diagnosis and Prognosis", AHS International Airworthiness, CBM and HUMS Technical Meeting 2018, Huntsville, AL, February 2018.
• Liu, Y., J. Fish, L. Frediani, M.W. Usrey, "Heterogeneous Porous Ceramic Media for Thermal Transport Mitigation in Hypersonics", 2017 National Space & Missile Materials Symposium (NSMMS), Indian Wells, CA, June 2017.
• Frediani, L., M.W. Usrey, O.A. Watts, "Technical Opportunities for High Temperature "Smart" P3 Sensors and Electronics for Distributed Engine Control", 52nd AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Salt Lake City, UT: The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), July 2016.
• Scardelletti, M.C., J.L. Jordan, R.D. Meredith, K.F. Harsh, E, Pilant, M.W. Usrey, G.M. Behiem, G.W. Hunter, and C.A. Zorman, "Demonstration of a Packaged Capacitive Pressure Sensor System Suitable for Wireless Jet Engine Health Monitoring", 2016 IEEE 66th Electronic Components and Technology Conference (ECTC), Las Vegas, NV: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), June 2016.
• Usrey, M.W., A.D. Brand, C.B. Knowles, K.F. Harsh, A.R. Behbahani, and S.T Bailie, "Demonstration of Smart, High-Temperature Pressure Sensors in a Harsh Engine Environment", 51st AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Orlando, FL: The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), July 2015.
• Frediani, L., M. Usrey, Y. Liu, B. Chorpening, and D. Straub, "Concurrent Development of Economical Packaging for Ultra High Temperature Resistance Temperature Detector", 58th ISA Power Industry Division (POWID) Symposium, Kansas City, MO: International Society of Automation (ISA), June 2015.
• Usrey, M.W., Y. Liu, B.R. Schaible, K.F. Harsh, and A.R. Behbahani, "High-Temperature Sensor and Electronics Packaging Technologies for Distributed Engine Controls", 50th AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Cleveland, OH: The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), July 2014.
• Usrey, M.W., Y. Liu, M. Anderson, J. Lubbers, B. Knowles, K.F. Harsh, and E. Pilant, "Development of High Temperature, Corrosion Resistant Sensors for Concentrating Solar Power Systems", 8th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, Boston, MA: American Society for Mechanical Engineering (ASME), June 2014.
• Usrey, M.W., K.F. Harsh, Y. Liu and A.R. Behbahani, "Advanced Sensor and Packaging Technologies for Intelligent Adaptive Engine Controls", 59th International Instrumentation Symposium 2013, Cleveland, OH: Instrumentation Systems and Automation Society (ISA), May 2013.
• Fisher, E., M.W. Usrey, and H.A. Beasley, "OWL: A Wise Way to Enhance Engineering Students' Writing Skills", Engineering as a Human Endeavor: Partnering Community, Academia, Government and Industry - Frontiers In Education 2003 Proceedings (D. Budny & G. Bjedov, editor), pp. F3E-16 - F3E-21, Piscataway, NJ: IEEE, November 2003.
• Usrey, M.W., "A Case for Engineering Edutainment in the 21st Century", Building on a Century of Progress in Engineering Education - Frontiers In Education 2000 Conference Proceedings, (D. Budny & G. Bjedov, editors), pp. S1A-20 - S1A-24, Piscataway, NJ: IEEE, October 2000. (Frontiers in Education New Faculty Fellow Award Winner)
• Wilmeth, R.G. and M.W. Usrey, "Evaluating a Reliability Centered Maintenance Program for Substation Equipment at New Century Energies", Technical Management: Key to Enterprise Success in the 21st Century - Proceedings of the 2000 National Conference of the American Society for Engineering Management, (J. Deason, editor), pp. 391-400, Washington, DC: American Society for Engineering Management, October 2000. (Merritt Williamson Best Paper Award Finalist)
• Ford, B.C. and M.W. Usrey, "Designing and Implementing Lean Manufacturing at John Deere Dubuque Works", Technical Management: Key to Enterprise Success in the 21st Century - Proceedings of the 2000 National Conference of the American Society for Engineering Management, (J. Deason, editor), pp. 381-390, Washington, DC: American Society for Engineering Management, October 2000.
• Usrey, M.W., and W. Garrett, "A New Plank for the Platform: Object-Oriented Extensions to Platform R&D", Leading Technology Change: Management Issues and Challenges - Proceedings of the 2000 IEEE International Engineering Management Society, (S. Kassicieh and S. Walsh, editors), pp. 497-500, Albuquerque, NM: IEEE, August, 2000.
• Ludescher, G., and M.W. Usrey, "Towards an ECMM (E-Commerce Maturity Model)", A New Renaissance: Multinational, Multidisciplinary & Performance-Focused -- Proceedings of the First International Research Conference on Organisational Excellence in the Third Millennium, (R. Edgeman, editor), pp 168-173, Estes Park, CO: Colorado State University, August 2000.
• Velasco, M.B., and M.W. Usrey, "Spain's Software Balance of Trade: a Learning Organization Analysis", A New Renaissance: Multinational, Multidisciplinary & Performance-Focused -- Proceedings of the First International Research Conference on Organisational Excellence in the Third Millennium, (R. Edgeman, editor), pp 246-254, Estes Park, CO: Colorado State University, August 2000.
• Kroenke, T.L., and M.W. Usrey, "Evaluation of a Research and Development Process: How to Achieve the Next Level of Product Development", Paradoxes of Project Collaboration in the Global Economy: Interdependence, Complexity and Ambiguity - Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference of the International Research Network on Organizing by Projects, (L. Crawford & C. F. Clarke, editors), pp 456-466, Sydney, Australia: University of Technology, ISBN 186365-3635, January, 2000.
• Fantz, D.I., M.W. Usrey and T. Lockwood, "A Process For Analyzing Energy Cogeneration Projects", Pathways to Technological Leadership: Proceedings of the 1999 National Conference of the American Society for Engineering Management, (C Keating, editor), pp 109-118, Rolla, MO: American Society for Engineering Management, October, 1999.
• Usrey, M.W., "Assessment of Alternate Delivery Mechanisms for Adult Distance Learners", Proceedings of WebNet '99, Vol. 2, (P. de Bra & J. Leggett, editors), pp 1111-1115, Charlottesville, VA: Association for Advancement of Computers in Education, October 1999.
• Usrey, M. W. and K. Radhakrishnan, "A Strategic Framework for Information Technology Planning", PICMET '99 Proceedings, Vol. 2, (D. F. Kocaoglu & T. R. Anderson, editors), 02_21.pdf, Portland, OR: Portland International Conference on the Management of Engineering and Technology, ISBN 1-890843-04-0, 1999.
• Usrey, M. W. and D. Fisher, "Avionics SPC Intranet", Productivity & Quality Management Frontiers - VIII, (W. Werther, Jr., J. Takala, & D. J. Sumanth, editors), pp 460-466, West Yorkshire, England: MCB University Press, 1999.
• Usrey, M. W., "Enabling Technologies for Adult Distance Learners", Proceedings of WebNet '98, Vol. 2, (H. Maurer & R. G. Olson, editors), pp 927-931, Charlottesville, VA: Association for Advancement of Computers in Education, November 1998.
Other Technical Papers and Presentations
• "Capacitive Pressure Sensor Demonstration on a Jet Engine", Turbine Engine Technology Symposium 2016, United States Air Force, Dayton, OH, September 2016.
• "PHM Sensor Suites for Aircraft Electrical Systems and Stationary Smart Grids", Annual Conference of the PHM Society 2015, San Diego, CA: Prognostics and Health Management Society, October 2015.
• "High Temperature, Smart P3 Sensors and Electronics for Distributed Engine Control", NASA Propulsion Control and Diagnostics 2015, Cleveland, OH: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, September 2015.
• "Demonstration of Smart, High-Temperature Pressure Sensors in a Harsh Engine Environment", PIWG Fall Meeting 2015, Knoxville, TN: Propulsion Instrumentation Working Group, September 2015.
• "High Temperature Electronic and Packaging for Distributed Controls Technologies Program for the Next Generation of Advanced Aircraft", Turbine Engine Technology Symposium 2014, United States Air Force, Dayton, OH, September 2014.
• "Smart, High-Temperature Operable Pressure Sensor for Gas Turbine Prognostics and Health Management", Annual Conference of the PHM Society 2014, Fort Worth, TX: Prognostics and Health Management Society, September 2014.
• "Smart Pressure Sensors for Distributed Engine Controls", DECWG Governing Board Meeting, Distributed Engine Controls Working Group, Cleveland, OH, June 2014.
• "Smart, Expandable, Low-Power Sensor Suite for Prognostics and Health Management", Annual Conference of the PHM Society 2013, New Orleans, LA: Prognostics and Health Management Society, September 2013.
• "High Temperature Sensor and Packaging Technologies for Advanced Engine Controls", Aeronautic Sensors Working Group, Cleveland, OH: NASA Glenn Research Center, May 2013.
• "Test and Calibration of +1000C Pressure-Temperature Sensor Suite", 59th International Instrumentation Symposium 2013, Cleveland, OH: Instrumentation Systems and Automation Society (ISA), May 2013.
• "Advanced Ceramic Materials and Packaging Technologies for Realizing Sensors for Concentrating Solar Power Systems", SunShot Concentrating Solar Power Program Review 2013, United States Department of Energy, Phoenix, AZ, April 2013.
• "Sensor Suites: Advanced Controls, Prognostics, and Diagnostics", United Technologies Prognostic Health Management Working Group, November 2012.
• "Low-Power, Wireless Sensor Suite for Prognostics and Health Management", Annual Conference of the PHM Society 2012, Minneapolis, MN: Prognostics and Health Management Society, September 2012.
• "High Temperature Sensors", General Electric Instrumentation Council, November 2012.
• "High Temperature Sensing and Packaging Technology for Advanced Engine Controls and Diagnostics", Turbine Engine Technology Symposium 2012, United States Air Force, Dayton, OH, September 2012.
• "Ultra High Temperature Capacitive Pressure Sensor", 1st Annual International Space Station (ISS) Research and Development Conference: Results and Opportunities -- The Decade of Utilization, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Denver, CO, June 2012.
• "Ceramic Temperature/Pressure Sensor Suite for Propulsion and Power Technologies", 35th Annual Conference on Composites, Materials, and Structures, United States Advanced Ceramics Association, Cocoa Beach, FL, January 2011.
• "Engineering and Product Development Management: The Holistic Approach [Book Review]", Innovation Management Policy and Practice, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp 477-478, 2005.
• "New Faculty Fellows Panel Discussion", Frontiers in Education 2000, St. Louis, MO, October 2000.
• Usrey, M. W., "AI in Circuit Diagnosis", Proceedings of the First Annual Honeywell Test Conference Albuquerque, NM: Honeywell, 1993.
• Usrey, M. W., Expert Systems Diagnosis of Failures in Mixed-Signal Circuit Card Assemblies, Minneapolis, MN: Honeywell Corporate Manufacturing Board/Honeywell CAM Council, 1991.
• Usrey, M. W. and A. J. Blanco, Ballistic Meteorological Displacement from Independent Treatment of Parameters, Washington, DC: U.S. Army Electronics Research and Development Command, 1981.
Editorial/Referee
• ASME International Conference on Energy Sustainability
• AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference
• Prognostics and Health Management Society Conference
• ASEE Annual Conference
• Frontiers in Education Conference
• Annual Meetings of the Academy of Management
• Annual Meetings of the American Society for Engineering Management
• Innovation: Management, Policy & Practice
• Ostwald, P.F. and T.S. McLaren, Cost Analysis and Estimating for Engineering and Management, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
• Babcock, D. and L. Morse, Managing Engineering and Technology, 3rd ed., Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
• Wallace, W. and A. Roberts, Project Management, London: Reed Educational Publishing.
Conference Official
• Session Chair, Annual Conference of the Prognostics and Health Management Society
• Session Chair, AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference
• Session Chair, American Society for Engineering Management