Jerry A. Byers
Senoia,GA
Summary
Professional operations leader with consistent track record in optimizing processes and driving impactful results. Proven ability to lead teams, implement strategic initiatives, and adapt to changing environments with ease. Skilled in project management, process improvement, and resource allocation. Known for effective collaboration and delivering dependable outcomes.
Overview
50
50
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Operations, SE Region
Bureau Veritas Inspection & Insurance Company
Atlanta
01.2007 - Current
- Oversee all aspects of operations in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, the Caribbean, and parts of Ohio, Illinois, and Mississippi.
- Grew the Region from the smallest of five in the country to the second largest in the Division.
- Responsible for a staff of 32 full and part-time inspectors. I have consistently led or placed in the top two Regions in ROR and achievement of my KPI’s. Grew the gross revenue from $1.2 million to $5.6 million at the end of 2024 in a region that has consistently struggled to grow due to a dominant market share by Hartford Steam Boiler. My ROR has ranged from 15-24% annually.
- Responsible for recruiting, prospecting new customers, hiring/firing, short/long term planning, contract negotiations, collections, day to day operations, implementation of corporate safety program, resolution of customer issues with all complaints including problems with service delivery, code issues and invoicing.
- As an accredited ASME/NB inspector with the AI/IS Commissions and an R endorsement I perform Code inspections in a backup role when we are shorthanded.
Director of General Operations - Pressure Vessel Inspection Division
International Business & Mercantile Reassurance Company (A division of Old Republic Insurance Company)
Dallas, TX
01.1992 - 01.2007
- In 1991, in response to the impending failure of our predecessor company, ECC, I developed a detailed, comprehensive business plan that attracted four serious buyers for our operation. Upon reviewing the details, IB&M- RE chose to acquire our Division along with several other profitable sectors of the insurance operation. We were able to achieve the transition without the loss of a single client or employee.
- Within months, our revenues soared 60% and the number of customers increased by 58%. Profits increased 124%. In my first three years ROI grew by 70%, with an average annual return of 16%. Our operation posted a profit in every year of my leadership.
- Oversaw a staff of approximately 70 full time, part time and contract inspectors, and support personnel.
- I developed and negotiated two global alliances, one of which was with the world's largest non-ASME Code inspection organization. The structure of the agreements allowed us to eliminate the need to capitalize operations in foreign countries, or to maintain a payroll in foreign jurisdictions, both of which are often impractical. I coordinated the business activities between our company and these two strategic partners. The arrangement expanded our area of service to Europe, Italy, Turkey, Asia, China, the Middle East, India, and elsewhere with very little downside risk. The ROI for these operations was 35%.
- To diversify revenue sources as our base services were in decline from industry-wide changes, I cultivated additional alliances with other companies and foreign jurisdictions. This allowed our division to provide inspection services to the new European Pressure Equipment Directive, the Malaysian Department of Safety and Health requirements, the Indian Boiler and Pressure Vessel Regulations, and the New Zealand inspection regulations.
- I was the liaison between our division and our industry's two regulatory agencies, and an Officer and Board Member of the Pressure Vessel Manufacturers Association (our customer's primary trade association).
- I was a member of the ASME Committee developing the standards to transfer DOT inspection of transport vessels to ASME jurisdiction; and a member of the ASME Standards Committee that promulgates the regulations for our own industry and a member of the ASME Accreditation Committee which regulates matters concerning AIA's.
- Negotiated complex contracts with hold-harmless and indemnification provisions heavily in our favor with larger customers such as Brown and Root, Formosa Plastics, NASA, Dow Chemical and many others who traditionally insist on contractual provisions entirely to their benefit.
Manager and Special Accounts Engineer
Employers Casualty Company
Dallas, TX
01.1978 - 01.1992
- At its zenith, ECC was the largest and oldest multi-line P&C carrier in Texas. I progressed from a Field Safety Engineer, to a Field A Engineer, to a Project Engineer before assuming the position of Special Accounts Engineer/Manager.
- As a manager I trained and supervised 8-10 field safety engineers, while providing safety, employee training, industrial hygiene and risk management services to our largest, most prestigious clients such as the Federal Reserve Bank, H.B. Zachry Construction, Chili's Restaurants, McDonald's, Minyard Food Stores, Tom Thumb Groceries, Pizza Inn, Braum's Ice Cream, Southern Methodist University, and various large Cities and Municipalities. I authored numerous model loss control programs and articles for use within our department. Starting in 1990, I also assumed the administrative management of our pressure vessel inspection department.
Division Industrial Engineer/Facilities Department
General Dynamics
Ft. Worth, TX
01.1976 - 01.1978
- I was responsible for the conversion of numerous departments from production of the F-111 to the F-16. My duties required detailed analysis of each operation, including the production projections necessary to perform these functions. I supervised the relocation of processes and equipment, coordinated union trades people performing these activities and troubleshot any problems during subsequent production start-up.
Education
BS - Industrial Engineering
University of Texas at Arlington
01-1976
Skills
- Operational leadership
- Strategic planning
- Revenue growth
- Contract negotiation
Timeline
Director of Operations, SE Region
Bureau Veritas Inspection & Insurance Company
01.2007 - Current
Director of General Operations - Pressure Vessel Inspection Division
International Business & Mercantile Reassurance Company (A division of Old Republic Insurance Company)
01.1992 - 01.2007
Manager and Special Accounts Engineer
Employers Casualty Company
01.1978 - 01.1992
Division Industrial Engineer/Facilities Department
General Dynamics
01.1976 - 01.1978
BS - Industrial Engineering
University of Texas at Arlington
Designations And Awards
- Licensed Professional Engineer-State of Texas
- Past Member of several Committees for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Past President and Board Member, Pressure Vessel Manufacturer's Association
- American Society of Safety Engineers
- ECC Awards for Outstanding Safety Engineer in 7 of 13 years of eligibility
- Alpha Pi Mu (officer), Tau Beta Pi, Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities