Fred Koos, MSEE, MIT-ACE, PE, SPC, PMP

Experience and Accomplishments

STEPS TO GOALS | Pittsburgh, PA
PRINCIPLE, CONSULTANT | 2011 - Present
* Develop and apply proven processes from decades of experience and research for the Steps-To-Goals method with a focus on "helping people who help people"

UPMC HEALTH PLAN | Pittsburgh, PA
DIRECTOR, LEAN PORTFOLIO OPERATIONS | 2022 - 2024
* Top/Superior performer in all 10 years at the UPMC Health Plan
* Drove Lean-Agile journey and transformation: 10 years leading, managing, coaching, and training in Lean Product/Portfolio/Program/Project Management, Agile, Scaled Agile (SAFe), Six-Sigma, and system optimization to over 3,300 attendees in areas including engineering, product management, portfolio management, program management, marketing, sales, operations, quality, legal, finance, medical health, and more
* Led portfolio for 5 large teams-of-teams (SAFe ARTs) responsible for
* Developed the scope aligned with our system and value stream
* Managed the portfolio of 80 large initiatives aligned with strategic goals
* Led the professional development for 600 leaders and staff to drive results
* Collaborated with 16 cross-functional departments and product lines, developing the company-wide value stream with levels of processes and requirements
* Developed 12 standard KPIs aligned with strategic goals, focusing the portfolio of large initiatives, connecting the execution of 600 cross-functional staff to the company strategy
* Developed the framework and roadmap for portfolio innovation and execution
* Coached Human-Centered Design Thinking, Systems Thinking, Lean Thinking, Lean Startup, and an entrepreneurial mindset
* Mentored in Diversity Mentoring Program for 3 years and provided Lean-Agile-Project Management training for 6 years for another Diversity Mentoring Program
* Led the startup and Co-Chair for the first two years of a Diversity Employee Resource Group focused on military veterans, Guard, and Reserve members
* Continuously researched global best practices and applied them for business results, including knowledge from MIT, SMR, HBR, Lean Thinking, Toyota Production System, strategy, SAE, IEEE, Scaled Agile Inc., PMI, leading publications, and much more
* Studied Artificial Intelligence in MIT courses and applied for enhanced performance
* Identified 50 potential applications of AI and other technologies within an innovation framework considering external and internal factors
DIRECTOR, INTEGRATED IMPLEMENTATION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE | 2019 - 2022
* Developed and implemented Lean-Agile team-of-teams framework for large strategic growth initiatives; executives praised the effectiveness
* Developed integrated methodology for program management, including choices from a playbook of 70 templates to manage requirements, models, designs, detailed plans, reports, risks, issues, cost, value, communication, stakeholder engagement, and more
* Developed supplier management processes and renegotiated supplier contracts to improve the profitability of programs working with finance, legal, and executives
DIRECTOR AND PROJECT DIRECTOR, PMO | 2014 - 2019
* Led PMO and teams managing our highest priority programs and projects aligned with the strategic goals for innovation, new technology implementation, growth, business improvement, and regulatory compliance
* Analyzed and optimized the performance of 38 program/project managers, scrum masters, business analysts, and product managers/owners for 200 projects
* Led a strong customer focused PMO, increasing the value that project managers contribute, thus increasing the demand and growing the team by over 600%
* Developed a new career path from project analyst through project manager, program manager, and project director levels; created a multi-level competency framework
* Led Lean-Agile approach to portfolio management for our Digital Prioritization Oversight committee with 16 departments and product lines, and 200 projects, increasing focus, accelerating the flow of value, and reducing unfinished Work-In-Process by 50%
* Led the creation and execution of cohesive portfolio and program plans while motivating and collaborating with team members and other stakeholders for success
* Collaboratively managed plans, progress toward goals, risks, issues, and roadblocks
* Reported and refined plans with executives and stakeholders on a set cadence
* Proactively planned and drove execution to goals per organizational strategies
* Created the structure for a new EPMO and drove the startup with the 20 leaders

PYRAMID CONSULTING GROUP for FEDEX | Pittsburgh, PA
PROJECT MANAGER | 2013 - 2014
* Managed Lean-Agile IT logistics projects for creating the ability to enhance FedEx maps for delivery routes, optimizing route planning, and improving the package scanning software rolled out in over 500 FedEx stations
* Improved team performance by 20% in estimating and achieving milestones

CELERITY INNOVATION CENTER & CELERITY IT | Pittsburgh, PA
PROGRAM MANAGER, PROJECT MANAGER | 2010 - 2013
* Program manager on leadership level of team-of-teams IT program of 100+ projects
* Built a Lean-Agile PMO of 6 people, improving on-time performance by 30%
* Led Lean-Agile software development of healthcare applications, including for Medicare

INDUSTRIAL SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION, Oakdale, PA
PROGRAM MANAGER | 2009 - 2010
* Led the primary new product development program, including embedded software, hardware, PC applications, and electrochemical/mechanical safety devices
* Led product development team to the final stage of launch in 12 months, a significant improvement in development time while improving processes and quality

DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE (APTIV) CORPORATION | Warren, OH
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT EXPERT, ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS ENGINEER | 1999 - 2009
* Managed E/E system business-pursuit program to win over $1 billion in lifetime revenue
* Led team to initial electrical/electronic system design for over 2 million vehicles, with results including Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year” and JD Power quality awards
* Led global stakeholders in 4 continents and 14 functional areas to develop a Lean product development and program management methodology for 500 programs and projects, contributing to 300% improvement over 4 years of 9 KPIs of business results
* OEM customers include Ford, GM, Mercedes, Opel, Smart, and Volvo Trucks
* Mapped 1000+ activities aligned with OEM milestones for program management
* Aligned with ISO 9001, Run at Rate, prototype, pilot, launch, and more
* Program/project manager of 25+ programs & projects to hit measurable targets
* Created and negotiated requirements with OEMs and suppliers for profitability
* Enhanced OEM customer relations with opportunities to improve their vehicles
* Built lifecycle resource plans for electronic systems for millions of vehicles
* Started a business unit PMO with refined processes, tools, mentoring, and training
* Developed program management courses and trained 300+ people from 4 continents
* Led 20 improvement teams as PM Global Lean Champion and Six-Sigma Black Belt
* Led 18 supply chain initiatives to reduce supplier lead time
* Led Six Sigma Black Belt project, improved schedule results by 70%, quality by 150%

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION | Warren, OH

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS ENGINEER | 1994 - 1999
(1994-2004: this time overlaps with Program Management time)
* Excelled at the Fortune #1 company for 10 years straight and Delphi (Aptiv) for 10 years
* Designed and led 8-hour technical reviews with major OEMs to win large contracts
* Co-developed 100+ pages of requirements with OEM for E/E systems for millions of cars
* Led team to initial E/E designs for over 2 million vehicles produced
* Patent earned for innovative E/E safety system
* Ensured that E/E system design met contractual obligations for millions of vehicles
* Negotiated with vendor to tighten specification for millions of fuses at no cost, which enabled significant cost reduction in associated components of the system
* Optimized vehicle electrical/electronic architecture: reduced cost 10%; improved quality
* Defined 1000+ E/E interfaces for 150+ modules, controls, loads, and devices
* Led the development of an IT system, giving a 90% reduction in initial design time
* Coached team members in systems engineering and electrical/electronic systems
* Marketed systems, products, and technologies in trade shows, including:
** North American International Auto Show
** Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress

MANUFACTURING SUPERVISOR | 1992 - 1994
* Improved manufacturing efficiency by 25%
* Improved manufacturing time between setup errors by 2000+%!

ELECTRONIC TEST ENGINEER AND QUALITY ENGINEER | 1989 - 1992
* Managed tests: electrical, electronic, electromagnetic, mechanical and environmental
* Designed and programmed equipment to evaluate and validate electronic modules
* Wrote applications to simulate vehicle I/O, measure test results, and analyze data
* Performed statistical process control (SPC) on samples from millions of electrical parts

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

US AIR FORCE and AIR FORCE RESERVE | United States
AVIONICS AND ENGINEERING OFFICER | 1980 - 2001

PMI:  PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
PRESIDENT, VP OF EDUCATION, BOARD CHAIRPERSON, PMI MEMBER: Pittsburgh PMI Chapter
* President of 1700 members
* Board of Directors, 9 years
* Vice President of Education and Certification
* Expanded to new regions by creating a branch structure
* Created the annual PM Professional Development Day conference, accumulating over 1,000 participants
* Doubled the educational offerings and revenue per year
* Led PMP Prep Class for 11 years
* Led PMI-ACP (Agile) class for 5 years
* Wrote over 20 project management and Agile short articles
* Presented to thousands at institutions including Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, Robert Morris University, Chatham University, CCAC, Delphi Automotive/Aptiv, PNC Bank, Dollar Bank, and UPMC
* Wrote 442 items for SAE’s book, Project Management for Automotive Engineers
* Volunteered for the Veteran’s Place Tiny Homes Project

IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
* President of Student I.E.E.E. Chapter
* Created computer lab and reference library in E.E. department
* Created process to complement career services office and help students obtain full-time and part-time employment

SAE: Society of Automotive Engineers
* Volunteered for “A World In Motion” program, helping elementary students experiment with STEM
* Wrote 442 items in SAE’s book, Project Management for Automotive Engineers

Additional Professional Societies and Contributions
* NSPE: National Society for Professional Engineers
* Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
* NFPA:  National Fire Protection Association
* ROA:  Reserve Officers Association
* CCAC: Community College of Allegheny County, Project Management Instructor

Volunteer for the Veteran’s Place Tiny Homes Project, SAE’s “A World in Motion”

Leader recognized with over 800 LinkedIn Skill Endorsements from colleagues