Thomas Gould
Bühler Group
Fruitport,MI
27
years of professional experience
Dynamic Project Manager and former U.S. Air Force F-16 Crew Chief with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, field service, and technical project execution. Expertise in managing complex capital equipment installations from initial planning to successful commissioning, effectively coordinating teams of engineers, technicians, suppliers, and customer stakeholders. A strong foundation in mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, automation, and industrial systems fosters a reputation for addressing challenging technical issues while building customer trust and delivering exceptional results in high-pressure environments. Committed to driving project success through strategic planning and collaborative teamwork.
Work History
Project Manager
3 Years- Lead end-to-end execution of multimillion-dollar die casting equipment projects from planning through commissioning and customer acceptance.
- Coordinate engineers, field service technicians, automation specialists, suppliers, and customer personnel to achieve project objectives.
- Manage project schedules, budgets, scope, risks, and technical deliverables while maintaining clear communication among stakeholders.
- Serve as the primary liaison between customers and company leadership, ensuring alignment on project milestones and expectations.
- Support integration of robotics, PLC controls, hydraulic systems, and automation technologies into turnkey manufacturing cells.
- Drive successful installations while maintaining long-term customer relationships and supporting future business opportunities.
Field Service Technician
4 Years 10 Months- Installed, commissioned, rebuilt, and repaired sophisticated die casting equipment throughout North America.
- Diagnosed and corrected mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and automation issues under demanding production schedules.
- Supported customer startups, machine optimization, and long-term maintenance planning.
- Trained technicians and customers on equipment operation and maintenance procedures.
- Documented service activities and coordinated corrective actions with engineering and management teams.
Owner / Operator
2 Years 2 Months- Managed daily operations including staffing, scheduling, budgeting, purchasing, inventory management, and customer service.
- Supervised employees while maintaining operational efficiency and quality standards.
Team Lead / Surface Mount Equipment Technician
7 Years 9 Months- Supervised assembly teams responsible for manufacturing commercial fuel dispensing equipment.
- Coordinated production priorities while ensuring safety, quality, and productivity goals.
- Operated and maintained automated manufacturing equipment and performed preventive maintenance.
- Supported troubleshooting of mechanical and electronic production systems.
Chemical Vapor Deposition Technician
3 Years 2 Months- Operated industrial coating furnaces and coordinated production schedules.
- Supervised furnace operations while maintaining strict safety and quality standards.
- Performed preventive maintenance and process monitoring to ensure reliable production.
Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist (F-16 Crew Chief)
7 Years- Performed inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of F-16 aircraft systems including hydraulic, fuel, electrical, oxygen, and associated support systems.
- Supported aircraft launch, recovery, scheduled maintenance, and mission readiness activities.
- Coordinated maintenance priorities and supervised repair efforts in high operational tempo environments.
- Maintained technical documentation and ensured compliance with military maintenance standards.
- Participated in crash recovery operations and complex aircraft repair activities.
- Worked in safety-critical environments where precision, accountability, and teamwork were essential to mission success.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Associate Degree - Criminal Justice
- Aviation Maintenance Coursework
- Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Preparatory Coursework
Completed preparatory coursework for FAA Airframe & Powerplant certification examinations, expanding technical knowledge of airframe and powerplant systems while building on military aviation maintenance experience.
Skills
Project Management
Technical Operations Leadership
F-16 Aircraft Maintenance
Capital Equipment Installation
Customer Relationship Management
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Mechanical Systems
Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems
Electrical Troubleshooting
PLC & Automation Integration
Robotics Integration
Budget & Schedule Management
Risk Assessment
Root Cause Analysis
Technical Documentation
Microsoft Project
SAP
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Timeline
Project Manager
Bühler Group
06.2023 - CurrentRead More
Field Service Technician
Bühler Group
08.2018 - 06.2023Read More
Owner / Operator
Bella Mack Pizzeria
02.2017 - 04.2019Read More
Team Lead / Surface Mount Equipment Technician
Bennett Pump Company
11.2010 - 08.2018Read More
Chemical Vapor Deposition Technician
Arconic
10.2005 - 12.2008Read More
Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist (F-16 Crew Chief)
United States Air Force
01.1999 - 01.2006Read More
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
from Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Preparatory Coursework
Read More
Community College of the Air Force
from Aviation Maintenance Coursework
Read More
Muskegon Community College
Associate Degree from Criminal Justice
Read More
Ferris State University
Bachelor of Science from Criminal Justice
Read More
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Active U.S. Passport
- Available for extensive domestic and international travel
- Willing to relocate throughout Florida and the Gulf Coast, including Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and coastal Texas
- Extensive experience collaborating with engineers, technicians, suppliers, executive leadership, and customers
- Strong background in technical problem solving, customer communication, and complex project execution