Gregory Kass

Director of advanced product development efforts co-managing a team of ME/EE engineers. Overseeing product roadmaps to develop a wide variety of counter-top kitchen appliances, serving as the lead mechanical engineer, industrial designer, UX/control systems architect and graphic designer on key projects.

Accomplishments:

• Directed full-cycle development of 15+ consumer kitchen products, including coffee makers, espresso machines, deep fryers, pizza ovens, and water/ice dispensers from ideation through mass production
• Designed innovative 8-in-1 coffee station with modular accessories and multi-brew capabilities
• Created the “Everything Maker” griddle, from concept to production, in two form factors
• Developed early prototypes of both an iced coffee station and robotic auto-loading k-cup mechanism
• Led full-cycle product development including UI/UX, control systems, industrial and graphic design
• Collaborated cross-functionally with UX, culinary, marketing, copywriting, and regulatory departments
• Worked in collaboration with supplier engineering teams to develop a variety of customized products, and oversee the manufacturing/assembly process
• International supplier visits in China and Germany for sourcing, manufacturing, QA & trade shows

Product manager of commercial electrical system products ranging from wall switches and receptacles to floor boxes and power pedestals

Accomplishments:

• Responsible for the planning, production schedule, and complete life cycle of all SKUs in the BU
• Revamped and restructured complete catalog of several hundred wall switch and receptacle SKUs
• Developed the product roadmap and pro forma for introducing an entirely new product line into the BU portfolio, consisting of power pedestal products for campuses, RV sites, and marine applications

Product manager of innovative utility equipment and consumer products for the dental and medical industry. Oversaw research, development and design of air compressors, vacuum systems, and amalgam separators. Responsible for new product business proposals, innovation of new products, and the primary interdepartmental resource for sales, technical support, engineering, marketing, finance and executive departments

• Accomplishments:
• Business unit growth: 2017+5% (2M), 2018+7% (3M), 2019+11% (5M), 2020+8% (4M)
• Strategic alignment of multi-generation product plans to ensure long-run success
• Generated Marketing Functional Specification (MFS) documentation for all growth programs to clearly define customer’s needs, constraints and show positive net value future cash flow financial justification
• Lead a cross-functional team, by executing all Toll-Gate process requirements for product development ensuring compliance and cooperation in a regulated product development environment
• Presented weekly/quarterly progress reports to senior management and executives
• Conducted product presentations and trainings for an international sales team, technicians and clients

Mechanical engineer of innovative dental utility room equipment products. Oversaw the research, development and design of modern air compressor and vacuum devices. Responsible for overall design concepts, component design, design testing, sourcing of parts, manufacturing, BOMs, packaging and quality control of all goods in production

Accomplishments:

• Re-engineered liquid-ring vacuum pump system to maintain suction performance with an 80% water usage decrease and a 75% energy usage decrease via a variable frequency driven motor (VacStar NEO)
• Re-designed air compressor to incorporate an all-digital electronics system with increased monitoring / diagnostics capabilities, touch screen user interface, and manufacturing cost reduction (AirStar NEO)
• Design engineered plastic injection molded / roto-molded, sheet metal, cast metal, machined and aluminum extruded components

Principal engineer for the development of a revolutionary new fire hydrant design for the North American emergency water delivery system. Initially hired for mechanical design engineering, the role evolved into numerous company responsibilities that played an integral role in the company’s ongoing successes.

Accomplishments:

• Design engineered steel, bronze, iron, aluminum and plastic components for mass production of an innovative fire hydrant, the “Spartan,” designed for enhanced hydrant security, longevity and reliability
• Created drawings, schematics, part layouts, BOM’s, 3D renderings, and CNC files
• Worked with Underwriters Laboratories, Northbrook, IL to certify the Spartan fire hydrant and co-developed new standardized requirements for “Hydrants for Fire Protection Service” (UL246/UL246B)
• Researched and wrote the company white-paper entitled “The Hydrant Epidemic”
• Visited and procured international associates in New Delhi, India and Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Created numerous video animations of the company’s hydrant product for promotional use
• Designed graphic media for promotional use (brochures, handouts, advertisements, tradeshow displays)

Freelance mechanical engineer and industrial designer developing products for rapid prototyping as well as mass production supporting clients along with partner company Prototyping Rapid, LLC, Grove City, PA.

Accomplishments:

• Design engineered plastic injection molded parts for a client’s aerosol sunscreen applicator product named “My Cabana Boy” by Desert 2 Desert Inc
• - www.my-cabanaboy.com
• Design engineered plastic components for an office exercise product, The DeskMate by Compactix Inc
• Design engineered steel, plastic and silicon parts for a client’s environmentally and baby friendly formula warmer device on-time and under budget