Richard Potesta
Stow,OH
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and operational excellence at Potesta & Company LLC. Expert in project management and strategic visioning, with a knack for innovation and creativity. Successfully founded companies, developed key brands like Slewpro, and led teams to achieve remarkable profitability increases. Skilled in leadership team building and product development.
Overview
44
44
years of professional experience
Work History
President / COO
Potesta & Company LLC
03.2012 - Current
- Founded the company in 2012
- Initially built the Slewpro brand
- Launched our first major website focused on Slewpro.
- Implemented an inbound marketing strategy
- Made our market focus, small and midsize OEMs. This was and remains an underserved portion of the market
- Drove sales through problem solving and building long term relationships with our OEM customers
- Oversaw the development of our custom bearing sizing software
- Located and acquired an 18,000 square foot manufacturing facility.
- Acquired the assets of Rhino Gear in 2017. Developed this into the Rhino brand of open gearing.
- Implemented a five year plan to modernize our gear cutting process. Two CNC gear cutting machines have been added so far resulting in increases in capacity and profitability.
- Developed the Slimpro brand of thin section bearings
- Developed the Rackpro brand to further penetrate our existing OEM accounts
- Built out our team through strategic hires
- Currently project managing the construction of additional office space.
President
Storetek Engineering Inc.
01.2008 - 02.2012
- Founded the company in 2008
- Grew the business from 2 employees to 30
- Developed automated systems for the tire and rubber market.
- Built a successful engineering team focusing on automation
- Implemented in our manufacturing to maximise profit and control project schedules.
- Grew to $6 million in sales with two locations. Our main facility in Tallmadge OH and an engineering office in MI.
Senior Account Manager
Gudel, Inc.
03.2004 - 01.2008
- Provided extensive support in sales, technical and business areas to key accounts.
- Located key customers for the sale of gantry robot systems.
- Developed an automated method of handling green tires.
- Became part of the global sales team focused on tire and rubber
- Sold the first system for handling green tires to Bridgestone.
- Developed the Bridgestone account into a global account
President
Leanbeam Inc
02.1992 - 01.2004
- Founded the company
- Developed a mono rail conveyor system for use in automotive seat manufacturing facilities
- Designed and sold conveyance systems for seat assembly
- Sold systems to Lear Corp across North America
- Sold my interest to New Era Holdings in 2001 and stayed on to further develop both the product and the market
Engineering Technologist
Milbar, Inc.
01.1986 - 02.1992
- Worked in R&D to develop specialty hands tools
- Was awarded seven patents on tool designs
- Took designs form the drawing board to working prototypes
- Used machining background to build and refine prototypes
- Was mentored by a seasoned engineering professional.
- Presented at the quarterly meeting regarding current R&D projects and their status
- Worked directly with customers like Snapon, Mac, Matco and others.
- Designed and built equipment that improved our manufacturing processes.
Technical Sales Engineer
SG Morris
03.1985 - 01.1986
- Hydraulic and pneumatic sales
- Worked with customers to design hydraulic systems
- Specified components
- Provided technical assistance to customers by trouble shooting systems.
Foreman
Barclay Machine
10.1980 - 03.1985
- Began as a setup person
- Learned to operate every machine in the facility
- Built rolls for the steel, paper and coatings industries
- Worked up to foreman on third shift
- Became a certified welder
- Ran large lathes and mills
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Kent State University
Kent, OHBachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Lakeland Community College
Willoughby, OHHigh School Diploma -
Leetonia High School
Leetonia, OH05-1980
Skills
- Leadership team building
- Solidworks, Inventor, AutoCad
- Gibbscam, Smartcam
- Sales and marketing
- Business development
- Strategic visioning
- Process improvement
- Innovation and creativity
- Cost control
- Revenue growth
- Brand management
- Product development
Timeline
President / COO
Potesta & Company LLC
03.2012 - Current
President
Storetek Engineering Inc.
01.2008 - 02.2012
Senior Account Manager
Gudel, Inc.
03.2004 - 01.2008
President
Leanbeam Inc
02.1992 - 01.2004
Engineering Technologist
Milbar, Inc.
01.1986 - 02.1992
Technical Sales Engineer
SG Morris
03.1985 - 01.1986
Foreman
Barclay Machine
10.1980 - 03.1985
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Kent State University
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Lakeland Community College
High School Diploma -
Leetonia High School
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