What is Grelling Technology & Business Solutions?

Grelling Technology & Business Solutions is an initial stage sole proprietorship (individual consultancy) created to capitalize on Kevin P. Grelling's 20+ years of varied business experience and wide array of technological abilities.

Who is Kevin P. Grelling and what are his qualifications and professional experience?

Kevin is an expert in medical device and/or high-tech product development. Kevin has managed, led, and directly participated in many successful design projects from concept through implementation to product release often involving digital and mixed-mode custom IC designs as key components. Kevin is a capable software / web programmer. He can program in C, Perl, javascript, HTML, etc. Kevin's undergraduate degree (BSEE - Purdue University - 1986) emphasis is in Solid State Physics (semiconductor theory and fabrication). He has an intimate familiarity and experience with IC technology and IC design methodology.

Kevin is also a strong leader with an MBA (Carlson School of Managment - University of Minnesota - 2001) and 20 years of experience applying strategic vision and tactical implementation skills to move organizations to new best-practice work processes and/or product development efforts. Successful implementation and timely conclusion of programs are Kevin’s underlying highest priority. He has managed both exempt and non-exempt direct reports including task direction and delegation, training and skill progression, performance reviews, promotions, compensation, and conflict resolution. Kevin has directed multidisciplinary teams (internal and external resources) with responsibilities for business plans, schedules, budgeting, delegation of tasks and project reporting to senior management. Kevin has interviewed and hired both internal resources and external contract employee / service houses. Kevin has directed and facilitated meetings at all levels of the organization to coordinate and prioritize activities. Kevin has extensive experience crafting and delivering persuasive presentations destined for the highest levels of management and key external customer opinion leaders making business case(s) for multi-million dollar initiatives.

Kevin applies highly analytic and methodological problem solving process to assessing the business potential of new projects while insuring buy-in from key stakeholders (brainstorming, market research, surveys, conjoint analysis, etc.). He is well versed in the skills of change management within a large company. He also has Six Sigma (Black Belt) and Lean project experience.

Kevin has state-of-the-art computer skills (Windows, Linux, Macintosh) as well as a vision for how computers/networking should be applied to achieve business goals and increase productivity.

Kevin strongly believes that mentoring, training, crafting tailored incentives, and providing clear KPIs for employers and/or employees is the key characteristic of visionary leadership that directly results in an organizational culture of success (as opposed to “command and control” order giving).

Kevin has traveled extensively as global corporate representative to customers, partners, and regulatory bodies. He is willing and able to travel domestically and internationally.

Kevin has developed highly structured internal corporate training programs – both web-based and classroom delivered. Often called on to be instructor. Kevin has crafted design and marketing documentation using strong document design and technical writing skills. Kevin has authored Standard Operating Procedures intended to insure continuity of business processes across the organization and into the future.

Where has Kevin worked before?

Guidant Corporation – Saint Paul, MN – Cardiac Rhythm Management – 1996 to 2006 (Medical Device Manufacturer)

• Drove new product and market development, strategy, and process improvements and focused on helping company differentiate itself from competitors by exploring novel solutions.
• Identified and managed external vendors under multimillion-dollar contracts, working with them to ensure no defects were in custom-designed hardware and software systems.
• Managed 12 direct reports of exempt and non-exempt employees in engineering setting, including task direction and delegation, performance reviews, training and skill development, and conflict resolution.
• Interviewed opinion-leading customers (doctors) domestically and internationally to determine customer needs and cultivated strong relationships with vendors by involving them in team building and customer relations efforts.
• Delivered key persuasive presentations to Guidant’s most senior management to support programs and obtain buy-in and funding.
• Played key role in development of Latitude™ electronic patient record system’s project vision and initial requirements.
• Trusted as corporate liaison to regulatory and industry consortium bodies to enable global success of projects, meeting with representatives from European regulators to FDA to address new discoveries and foster product’s global success.
• Headed team implementing new manufacturing processes, including automated burn-in of electronic modules.
• Designed and implemented training programs for manufacturing and new business products.
• Directed team that developed products in new market areas, including MRI-safe cardiac rhythm management systems.
• Lobbied within company for design-for-reuse and component standardization in products to reduce costs and enable company to more easily adapt to potential fluctuations in profitability.
  

3M Corporation – Saint Paul, MN – SERC / Data Storage / Hearing Health – 1986 to 1996 (Multi-industry Conglomerate)

• Pursued strategic programs that expanded corporate capabilities and end markets while working in several roles, including engineering and marketing.
• Led design of state-of-the-art hearing aids, including product specification, design, and implementation, and contributed to design of numerous other 3M products.
• Headed initiatives that pushed company into new markets and technologies, including hearing aids, MRI compatibility, patient management systems, and manufacturing burn-in.
• Pushed for proactive change to ensure strategic business success, demonstrating focus on corporate risk and reward and ability to identify or create solutions when none were apparent.

Kevin's Education & Licensure

Business Analysis Certificate, University of Minnesota July 2010
International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) endorsed certificate program in Business Analysis

M.B.A. Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota 2001
Entrepreneurial Business Development/Strategy

B.S. Electrical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 1986
Computer and Electrical Engineering with emphasis in Solid State Physics

Private Pilot License

© 2012 Grelling Technology & Business Solutions