THOMAS BENNINGFIELD
Lake Stevens,WA
Summary
Aerospace operations leader focused on value stream management, contract negotiations, and program execution across complex product and customer environments. Coordinates delivery recovery, contract terms, pricing, and milestone commitments while leading cross-functional teams through technical and commercial issues. Brings strong stakeholder management, certification awareness, and a track record of turning supply chain issues into on-time program outcomes.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, Value Stream Management
COLLINS AEROSPACE
Everett, WA
08.2022 - Current
- Led supplier initiatives to boost operating efficiency and delivery performance; collaborated across functions to resolve issues impacting cost, schedule, and delivery.
- Managed supplier programs and operational initiatives to enhance aerospace product development, production performance, and meet customer commitments.
- Coordinate customer shortage recovery through structured recovery plans and get-to-green actions; maintain senior stakeholder relationships through technical reviews and program discussions.
- Directed development activities for aircraft lavatory systems, including lighting and power systems, supporting Boeing aircraft programs.
- Led contract negotiations with customers for contract extensions and escalated pricing.
- Led contract negotiations with suppliers for product pricing and deliverables.
- Participated in contract negotiation meetings to facilitate settlements and align stakeholder expectations.
Director of Supply Chain & Asset Management
HTI POLYMER, INC.
Woodinville, WA
02.2021 - 08.2022
- Directed supply chain operations, fleet assets, and commercial equipment to align with field operations and business requirements.
- Developed and monitored product cost, returns, and delivery metrics; coordinated priorities to enhance cost visibility and resource utilization.
- Directed supply chain planning for HTI POLYMER, INC. polymer operations.
- Managed procurement, inventory, and supplier coordination across HTI POLYMER, INC. facilities.
- Led demand forecasting and production scheduling with cross-functional teams.
Director of Procurement & Supply Chain
UMBRA CUSCINETTI, INC.
Everett, WA
03.2019 - 02.2020
- Achieved 27% reduction in raw material costs and eliminated past-due purchase orders within five months; enhanced supplier accountability and streamlined purchasing processes.
- Negotiated supplier contracts and service agreements to establish pricing improvements and price freezes, safeguarding business interests during Boeing 737 MAX production interruption.
- Led strategic sourcing and purchasing for direct and indirect materials; expanded procurement and supply chain team from two to five employees to enhance operational capacity.
Senior Program Manager, Supplier Programs
GREENPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Kirkland, WA
04.2011 - 12.2018
- Established and directed supplier program management organization within Supply Chain for major supplier engineering and delivery programs on VIP and Head-of-State aircraft.
- Negotiated domestic and international supplier contracts against customer requirements, defined statements of work, delivery schedules and payment milestones.
- Created and executed Supplemental Terms Agreement integrated with General Terms Agreement, defining supplier deliverables, program milestones, performance gates, and contractual expectations.
- Led commercial discussions to align scope, pricing, deliverables and payment structures with program budgets and customer commitments; directly negotiated with customers and key stakeholders to secure agreement and organizational buy-in.
- Worked with international customers and suppliers to coordinate technical, commercial and program expectations for complex aircraft requirements.
- Coordinated supplier forecasts, purchase orders, status reporting, and program reviews with Master Scheduling and Production Control; developed performance metrics for aircraft completion schedules.
- Managed supplier requirements involving FAA and EASA certification, including PMA and non-PMA conformed equipment.
Principal Program Manager
PANASONIC AVIONICS CORPORATION
Bothell, WA
06.2007 - 04.2011
- Managed major international customer programs for factory-installed and retrofit in-flight entertainment systems on Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
- Led customer discussions on program requirements, cost, delivery schedules, technical scope and changes to contracted work; served as primary contact for key airline accounts.
- Negotiated RFPs, contracts, scope changes, program modifications, and purchase orders with airline customers in Middle East and Europe, ensuring alignment with customer needs.
- Coordinated commercial and program issues across engineering, software, ground support, material control, aircraft manufacturers, and suppliers; rebuilt key Middle Eastern customer relationship through direct engagement and responsive leadership.
- Directed cross-functional teams, schedules, action logs, technical reviews, and customer status meetings; represented regional program leadership in executive meetings to align strategic objectives.
Program Manager
LIVETV, LLC
Melbourne, FL
07.2003 - 06.2007
- Managed Virgin Blue program as first major international customer, relocated to Australia to oversee fleet-wide installations and coordinate engineering, operations, certification, and customer support.
- Managed commercial aircraft modification programs involving satellite radio and in-flight entertainment systems.
- Defined scope, technical requirements, delivery expectations, and installation obligations with customers; supported Air New Zealand labor negotiations for modifications to 36+ Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft.
- Negotiated contracts with international customers and Australian business entities for equipment manufacturing, product design, system integration and installation support.
- Oversaw engineering and certification during prototype installation, including 70-hour installation for seat retrofit and aircraft system interfaces.
Director of Sustaining Engineering / Senior Product Manager
TERABEAM CORPORATION
Redmond, WA
08.2000 - 09.2002
- Led sustaining engineering and cross-functional manufacturing initiatives to enhance product performance, ensure quality, and achieve production readiness.
- Managed development and production release of Free Space Optical backbone equipment, coordinating engineering, manufacturing, and purchasing resources, specifications, schedules, and product changes.
- Streamlined lifecycle processes for field failure tracking, corrective action, and change control; participated in Failure Review and Change Control Boards to enhance operational effectiveness.
Progressive roles: Senior Manager, Applications Engineering; Manager, Cabin Engineering Programs; Program Manager, Cabin Equipment Group
AT&T WIRELESS SERVICES, ACD
Seattle, WA
06.1993 - 08.2000
- Advanced through three leadership roles managing engineering, certification, standards, field support and manufacturing teams; planned aircraft programs, installation costs, staffing and schedules, and collaborated with federal agencies to secure STC documentation for aircraft installations, ensuring compliance and operational readiness.
- Led cabin engineering support across 38 programs, managing schedules, staffing and budgets exceeding $3 million; supported purchasing, vendor management and corporate program teams.
- Managed airline seat vendors, developing bids, proposals and contracts for new programs while negotiating installation methods and configuration concessions with airline customers and vendors, completing over 1,400 installations and achieving substantial cost savings across a program valued at over $6 million while maintaining schedules.
- Developed installation standards used across major airline programs, including Northwest and American Airlines; supported airline customers in sustaining and field service, including international installation travel.
Education
MBA - Engineering Management
Century University
Albuquerque, NMBachelor of Applied Science - Engineering Management
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MIAssociate of Applied Science - Industrial Engineering
Muskegon Community College
Muskegon, MISkills
- Value stream management
- Aerospace program management
- Supplier contract negotiations
- Customer contract negotiations
- Contract development and administration
- Program scheduling
- Regulatory compliance
Personal Information
Title: CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS & COMMERCIAL AGREEMENTS
NEGOTIATION AND COMMERCIAL STRENGTHS
- Customer and Supplier Agreements
- Domestic and International Negotiations
- Pricing and Cost Negotiations
- Commercial Terms and Payment Milestones
- Statements of Work and Scope Definition
- Supplemental Terms Agreements
- Contract Changes and Modifications
- RFP Responses and Negotiations
- Strategic Sourcing and Procurement
- Supplier Performance and Commercial Risk
- Delivery Recovery
- Executive and Cross-Functional Leadership
- PMP Program Management
ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE
- Olympic Medical Corporation, Seattle, WA | Mechanical Engineer; Manufacturing Engineering Manager | 1990–1993
- Gretag Systems, Seattle, WA | Senior Manufacturing Engineer | 1988–1990
- Augat Communications Group, Seattle, WA | Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineer | 1985–1988
- Sequential Circuits, Inc., San Jose, CA | Mechanical Engineer | 1984–1985
- Muskegon Piston Ring, Muskegon, MI | Mechanical Designer | 1980–1984
- Johnstone Boiler Company, Grand Haven, MI | Mechanical Draftsman | 1978–1980
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Timeline
Senior Manager, Value Stream Management
COLLINS AEROSPACE
08.2022 - Current
Director of Supply Chain & Asset Management
HTI POLYMER, INC.
02.2021 - 08.2022
Director of Procurement & Supply Chain
UMBRA CUSCINETTI, INC.
03.2019 - 02.2020
Senior Program Manager, Supplier Programs
GREENPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
04.2011 - 12.2018
Principal Program Manager
PANASONIC AVIONICS CORPORATION
06.2007 - 04.2011
Program Manager
LIVETV, LLC
07.2003 - 06.2007
Director of Sustaining Engineering / Senior Product Manager
TERABEAM CORPORATION
08.2000 - 09.2002
Progressive roles: Senior Manager, Applications Engineering; Manager, Cabin Engineering Programs; Program Manager, Cabin Equipment Group
AT&T WIRELESS SERVICES, ACD
06.1993 - 08.2000
MBA - Engineering Management
Century University
Bachelor of Applied Science - Engineering Management
Grand Valley State University
Associate of Applied Science - Industrial Engineering
Muskegon Community College