MANUFACTURER'S EDGE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Key Initiatives
Job Titles:
- Program Operations Specialist
Job Titles:
- Director of Growth and Development
Job Titles:
- School of Business Advisory Committee: Chairman
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Board
- President
A Dothan, Alabama native, Jansen graduated from Auburn University with a Master of Public Administration. Starting his career in the private sector, he has a background in both construction, retail, hospitality, and local media. In 2011 he joined the Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority as the Executive Director. In 2017, Jansen took the helm of the newly formed Spartanburg Downtown Development Partnership. In December 2018, Jansen's role was expanded as Executive Vice President of Corporate and Urban Development for the Economic Futures Group. He proudly joined the Jeffco EDC in May 2020, ushering in the 65 th year for Colorado's oldest economic development organization. On January 1. 2022 - the Jeffco EDC board ushered in a new era with the addition of the West Metro Chamber and Leadership Jeffco to their organizational umbrella.
His career accomplishments have been built around a collaborative and innovative approach to economic development solutions, built on data-driven decision making.
Jansen and his family are proud to call Jeffco home. He is married to Laura, a teacher, and has a 7 th and 3 rd grader. He currently serves on the Red Rocks Community College Advisory Board and the Rocky Mountain Metro Airport Advisory Board. His previous community involvement is extensive and includes higher education board, historic preservations, recreation boards, and committees on smart technology in cities. When not in the office, you may find him on the slopes or cheering on the Auburn Tigers, Broncos, Avs, & Nuggets.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Board
- CEO of Integrity Welding & Fabrication
Jerry Osborn is currently CEO of Integrity Welding & Fabrication, a privately held company in Colorado Springs. He is a business development and operational management executive with extensive experience in the manufacturing automation industry. His experience in robot-based automation includes senior leadership roles at several companies, including two of the "big 4" robot manufacturers, ABB and KUKA. He has proven expertise in building businesses from scratch, turning failing business into successes, and growing businesses profitably. He has a strong knowledge of operational excellence, continuous improvement, and "lean" techniques. He joined the board of Manufacturer's Edge in March of 2020.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Board
- Founder, and CEO of Geyser Systems
Outside of work and shaping policy, Jonathan has a steady track record of leadership in a variety of communities and outdoor expeditions. He ascended Mt Rainier, Mt Superior, Longs Peak, and Mt Sinai. He obtained his Master of Yacht license and captained over 3500 nautical miles through the British Virgin, Thailand, and Greek Islands. He was a board of director for the Hillel Foundation at Texas A&M and brought transformative results in many organizations. His global perspective shaped by his Spanish father and Russian mother propelled him to live in Australia, Taiwan, Spain, Israel, and Costa Rica. He explored 23 countries around the world. He was voted Austin's Texas #1 extraordinary gentleman and was interviewed by Steve Harvey.
Jonathan Ballesteros is the inventor, founder, and CEO of Geyser Systems. He and his team design and manufacture products that make the most of every drop of water. The flagship product called the Geyser System, is the highest rated hot, portable shower at REI Co-op. It uses less than 1 gallon of water and is ready in as little as 5 minutes.
His vision is to use the technology and solve a real-world problem faced by 2.3 billion people: water-scarcity and sanitation. His patented technology reduces water consumption by 90% and is in demand for natural-disaster relief, overcoming drought conditions, and other off-the-grid situations.
Job Titles:
- Client Services Consultant
Job Titles:
- Manager of Quality Systems
Kathay Rennels works to advance collaborative networks across the state and create economic development opportunities. She has significant experience fostering public and private partnerships in regional and rural workforce development, with particular attention to Larimer and Weld Counties. Rennels previously served three terms as a Larimer County Commissioner and is now leading the Food and Agriculture Key Industry Network for the State of Colorado. Rennels helped initiate the "Value Chain of Colorado Agriculture" study, released in February 2013, and co-authored the November 2014 follow-up study, "The Emergence of an Innovation Cluster in the Agricultural Value Chain along Colorado's Front Range." She also currently serves on the Northern Colorado Economic Development Council, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, El Pomar Foundation, The Matthews House, Larimer County United Way, and Colorado Youth Conservation Association. Read Full Bio
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Co - Owner & Director of Marketing, HR and Finance Deltech Furnaces / Professional Summary
Job Titles:
- Director, Program Operations
Job Titles:
- Client Services Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- President
- President of SG Aerospace
Mike Sneddon is the President of SG Aerospace & Gas. Mike spent 20 years as an Engineer and business manager for Hamilton Sundstrand in Grand Junction prior to purchasing the company with Shannon in 2008. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from AIU, along with an AAS Degree in Manufacturing Technology from Colorado Mesa University. Mike also holds board positions on Grand Junction Economic Partnership as well as Colorado Space Business Roundtable and recently retired as a volunteer firefighter/EMT for Lower Valley Fire District.
Job Titles:
- Director of Client Services
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the Board
- Space Foundation Chief Operating Officer
As Space Foundation Chief Operating Officer, Brunswick serves as a corporate officer, and is responsible for Space Foundation operations, facilities, processes and personnel. Functions reporting to her include education, development/philanthropy, marketing and communication, operations, human resources and administration, customer service, information technology, facilities, maintenance, security and assurance. She has primary responsibility for Space Foundation headquarters, the Space Foundation Discovery Center, operational management of the annual Space Symposium and the Faga Forum on Space Intelligence. She also oversees government affairs activities in the Washington, D.C., office including relationships with government agencies, other space advocacy organizations and associations and corporate interests.
Brunswick joined the Space Foundation in 2015 after a distinguished career as an acquisition and program management professional for the United States Air Force and finished her career as a key leader within the Air Force Congressional Liaison office working both within the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill. She was Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certified in Program Management Level III, Financial Manager Level II, and a certified Space Professional Level III by the United States Air Force Space Professional Functional Authority.
Brunswick was the Chair of Women in Aerospace (WIA) from 2016-2019. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the WIA Foundation and is one of 25 women from around the world selected as a Space4Women Network Mentor, which is part of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). As an advocate and mentor, Brunswick shares her expertise, knowledge, and experiences to build environments where women and girls can take their place as active and equal participants in space science, technology, innovation and exploration efforts. Throughout her career, Brunswick has dedicated considerable time and energy to increasing the leadership capabilities and visibility of women in the aerospace community.
In addition to these endeavors, Brunswick serves on the board of directors for Manufacturer's Edge, strengthening the competitiveness of manufacturers through coaching, training, and collaboration-focused industry programs, and by leveraging government, university, and economic development partnerships. She was elected to the Board of Directors of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Corporation, providing strategic, mission-based leadership and governance. Formerly, she was a board member for the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Rocky Mountain Chapter.
Brunswick graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern Colorado with a bachelor's degree in business administration and earned a master's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. She is a Certified Project Management Professional through Project Management Institute and was a Professor of Acquisition Management at Defense Acquisition University.
Suzan Damron has served on the Manufacturer's Edge Board since October 2019. Ms. Damron has a wealth of experience in finance, food safety, leadership, and manufacturing. Before relocating to Colorado, Damron spent several years as a business leader in her home state of Illinois. Damron brings a variety of different skills and experiences to the Board and has, over the course of her career, learned to wear many different hats. At one point, she held three roles simultaneously (CFO, COO, and executive management team member) at VIPAR Heavy Duty, Inc.
CAREER HISTORY
Birko Corporation, Colorado, Vice President of Accounting, Finance & IT, 2017 - Current
VIPAR Heavy Duty, Inc., Illinois, CFO, 2004 - 2016
Eisenmann Corporation, Accounting Manager, March 2004 - December 2004
Gleeson Sklar Sawyers & Cumpata, Audit Manager, 1998 - 2003
Caufield Quinlan & Flood, Accountant, 1994 - 1995
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the Board
Thom is the Chief Operating Officer of Muller Technology of Fort Collins, Colorado. Previously, Thom has served as the President & CEO of Pelsue as well as the CEO of Mount Sopris Instrument Company. With the assistance of Manufacturer's Edge, Thom launched the company's LEAN initiative in 2014, which dramatically improved customer outcomes, global competitiveness, and financial results.
Previous work experience includes both small and large manufacturers in a variety of industries, including Ford Motor Company and Procter & Gamble. Thom has an engineering degree and MBA, and holds professional certifications in LEAN, Six Sigma, and supply chain management.
Thom joined the Manufacturer's Edge board of directors in 2017 and also sits on the board of ASCM Northern Colorado.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Retired CEO Manufacturer 's Edge
Tom Bugnitz has over 35 years of broad experience in strategic planning, operations and financial oversight. Most recently, Tom served as the Chief Executive Officer for Manufacturer's Edge for nearly a decade and recently retired in November of 2021. Prior to Manufacturer's Edge, Tom was a senior executive for Coolerado, a manufacturer of cutting-edge green air-conditioning systems that grew from five to 60+ employees during his tenure. As founder and president of the Beta Group, Inc., Tom advised corporate and government clients across the globe for over 25 years in business strategy development, cross-organizational team building, and management process and organizational redesign. Tom also co-authored a widely-adopted book on business strategy and capital planning for technology, now in its third edition of printing.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Board
- Executive Leadership Coach, CEO and Founder of the Leadership Science Institute
Mr. Anderson is the senior international Executive Leadership Coach, CEO and Founder of the Leadership Science Institute, LLC. He is a Certified Master Coach (CMC). He is a senior executive with equal blend of technical, business, managerial and public sector skills developed during experience with several "Fortune 500" companies and local municipalities. He is also Certified in Applied Neuroscience.
He has extensive experience in helping his international executive clients to be successful. He helps them expand and grow their careers and/or businesses through skills assessments, coaching and training. In addition, he helps them to train and develop their professional staffs. He possesses the unique ability to help his clients attract, retain, and motivate outstanding management and professional leaders. His company was awarded the "2020 Top Leadership Development Company" by Manage HR magazine and "2021 Top Leadership Development Company" by HRTech Outlook Magazine.
Mr. Anderson was an Adjunct Professor in Business and Management at Front Range Community College (FRCC) in Westminster, Colorado where he taught a variety of business courses. Today, he is a State appointed Business Adviser to the FRCC system. He is an official facilitator for the World Business and Executive Coach Summit (WBECS). As a Certified Business Advisor for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), he helped businesses to start, expand and grow.
He was a publicly elected official. He held the positions of City Council Member and County Commissioner for the City and County of Broomfield in the State of Colorado.
He is the author/co-author of the following books:
"Unwrapping the CIO: Demystifying the Chief Information Officer Position" (iUniverse Publishing: September, 2006)
"Powerful People Are Powerful IT Professionals: Your Daily Guide to Becoming a Powerful Information Systems Person" (iUniverse Publishing: January, 2007)
"I Am Unemployed … Now What Do I Do?: An Organized Approach to Becoming Employed" (iUniverse Publishing: June, 2011)
"I Am An Unemployed Christian … Now What Do I Do?: An Organized Approach to Becoming An Employed Christian" (WestBow Press: March, 2013).
"Psychology of Business Success: A Practical Guide to Successful Leadership" (Minibük: December, 2017) - From Wayne's Pocket Leadership Series
"Coaching Perspectives VIII: The Magic of Executive Coaching" (Center for Coaching Certification: November, 2018)
He is a U.S. Navy veteran. He holds degrees in Organizational Leadership, Information Technology and Business Finance and is a keynote speaker on various motivational topics for both public and private organizations. He also holds positions on a variety of non-profit boards of directors.
He resides in Westminster, Colorado USA.