Michael E. Gilson...

BUILDING CAPABLE AND PROFITABLE GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE GROUND UP

Lafayette, CA 94549 H: 925.933.9659 Cell: 925.766.6114 michael.e.gilson@gmail.com www.linkedin.com/in/michaelegilson

Global Executive experienced in leading the growth of technology-driven companies in B2B product segments worldwide. Innovative strategy and operations leader with a strong finance and management background. Deep turnaround and new product launch experience. Prepared bids and negotiated multimillion dollar deals that generated significant sales in challenging markets. Deep understanding of the international marketplace. Proven ability to begin a project with the end in mind, devising the strategy and setting the conditions for efficiency, success and sustainability. Adept at building collaborative environments that drive enthusiasm and crossorganizational consensus in the attainment of goals. Skilled at devising the solutions and translating the attributes of technology and its products to diverse audiences and teams worldwide. In ex-pat and US-based roles, built strong relationships with vendors, suppliers and customers that included foreign armed forces, US federal government, DoD, major airlines and companies such as GE, Westinghouse, Lockheed and AREVA. MBA, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; BA, University of California-Davis
Advanced Technologies Aerospace and Defense Transportation Renewable Energy Technology Manufacturing

Consistently Creating Opportunities for Success Domestic and Abroad

Deep Ocean Engineering, Inc. Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Customer Support. Nearly tripled annual sales ($2M+ to $6M). Built order backlog to highest level in 28-year company history. Advanced Aerospace, Inc., Co-Founder Vice President and Board Member. Acquired and successfully reorganized assets of previously bankrupt entity. Rebuilt client relationships and grew revenues from zero to $15M in eight years. Sold company to a multi-national aerospace supplier. GE Capital Aviation Services Vice President, Strategy and Marketing. Completed three major transactions in a new market in 18 months. Drove sale/lease revenues of $1B+ and acquisitions of $3B+ by successfully developing 10+ complex transaction structures. Airbus Industrie of North America Assistant Vice President, Strategy and Marketing. Devised and executed strategic marketing initiatives that resulted in 100%+ revenue growth, 700%+ employee growth and launch of four new products in five years.

Capabilities and Skills

P&L Management Mentoring and Coaching of Highly Capable Global Teams Technology Integration and Implementation Operations Leadership Sales and Marketing International and Domestic Consensus Building across Multi-national Organizations Outstanding Product and Customer Support Extensive Turnaround Experience/Business ReGrowth Regulatory Compliance US and Abroad Resource/Vendor/Supplier Management

Career Creating, Translating and Providing Advanced Technology B2B Solutions for Organizations Worldwide
LAFAYETTE LIBRARY AND LEARNING CENTER FOUNDATION, Lafayette, CA PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2010 Present

In this elected role, set strategic vision for organization, drive consensus and lead ongoing efforts of library/learning center to position itself as a vital community cornerstone in todays diverse and rapidly changing environment. Oversee executive director and staff. Build consensus across 18-member board and a 2,000-member volunteer organization. Manage an annual budget of $1.4M.

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Team leader in raising $18M in two capital campaigns. Instrumental in the success of a $44M construction project that opened in 2009. Considered a ground breaking, cutting edge facility, the library currently sponsors 400 programs and draws 450,000 people annually to its new community center.

DEEP OCEAN ENGINEERING, INC., San Leandro, CA

2004 2010 $6M privately held manufacturer and supplier of underwater robotic equipment. Parent company filed Chapter 7 Liquidation due to legal dispute, despite largest order backlog in 28-year history of the company.

VICE PRESIDENT SALES, MARKETING AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Recruited to lead sales and marketplace turnaround in face of stagnant product line, loss of distributor pipeline and declining international sales. Led worldwide marketing, customer and product support activities for clients in six industries, 40 countries and seven continents. Initially revitalized existing customer relationships and then built a new global distribution network for launch of new brand strategy and products. Oversaw product management, training, channel/alliance network and marketing communications. Tripled revenues over tenure. Built backlog to highest level in companys 26-year history. Grew annual sales revenues from ~$2M to $6M and increased export revenues by nearly 60%. Re-established customer relationships with clients that included General Electric, Westinghouse, as well as the FBI, US Navy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), 45 universities and 24 armed forces worldwide. Successfully launched three new products into the highly competitive hydro-electric inspection, nuclear power plant and homeland security marketplaces, segments occupied by formidable and well-funded competitors. Sold new products to customers in 14 countries. Developed fresh brand strategy supported by new market materials, including website, advertisements, brochures and other collateral items. 1995 2003

ADVANCED AEROSPACE, Inc., San Luis Obispo, CA

Privately held, start-up manufacturer of high-technology aviation and rail equipment.

CO-FOUNDER, VICE PRESIDENT AND BOARD MEMBER

Successfully rebuilt an advanced technology manufacturing company, with 55 employees supporting the airline, armed forces and rail industries. Alongside engineering partner, purchased and restructured bankrupt entity. Oversaw finance and established company, overseeing the development and structuring of all financing and contracts, as well as internal operations. Raised external funding, achieved FAA certification and provided finance, accounting and IP leadership. Applied large company experience in developing company into a high-tech manufacturing and global sales company. Re-engaged and rebuilt customer relationships with airlines and armed forces worldwide. Clients included the governments of Israel, Belgium, Spain, Germany, US, Turkey, as well as Saudi Arabian Airlines, Korean Airlines, US Airways and Delta Air Lines. Reorganized assets and grew revenues from zero to $15M during eight-year tenure and successfully sold company to a multi-national aerospace supplier. Developed and structured all financings and contracts, including acquisition of all manufacturing equipment and all sales contracts. 1989 1994

GE CAPITAL AVIATION SERVICES, San Francisco, CA/Hong Kong, China

$6B airplane leasing division of GE Capital Corporation.

VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGY AND MARKETING

Hired to design and lead GE Capital direct marketing global strategy efforts following GE Capital acquisition of Polaris Aircraft Leasing. Developed forward thinking strategy that drove integration. Gained approval for penetration of Asian markets and exploitation of Gulf War opportunities. Relocated to China and managed first major Chinese commercial transactions. Acted as media spokesperson and company liaison for GE Capital Aviation in Asia. Defined and led growth initiatives that grew company from $3B to $6B in assets over tenure. Drove sale/lease revenues of $1B+ and acquisitions of $3B+ through efforts in developing more than 10 complex transaction structures.

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Conceptualized and directed three major China transactions ($100M in profit; $700M in leasing revenue) by conceptualizing and implementing comprehensive Chinese capital acquisition plan. (1989-1991) Expanded markets to include Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. (1991-1994) Directed compilation of selected quarterly SEC reporting requirements. 1985 1989

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE OF NORTH AMERICA, Herndon, VA

Global aircraft manufacturer.

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT STRATEGY AND MARKETING

Devised and executed strategic marketing initiatives that resulted in 100% revenue growth (from less than $500M to $1B+ annually) and 700%+ employee growth (from 15 to 125) over four years. Developed business plan that shaped growth from one customer to eight. Played key role in market launch of four new aircraft models that generated minimum of $5B in US sales. Planned and executed relocation of company from New York to Virginia. Additional experience includes senior engagement manager, McKinsey & Co., NY/Washington, DC. Directed inhouse and on-site client engagement teams for leading US and European transportation, manufacturing, chemical and metal companies. Special focus on financial turnaround, corporate finance strategy and organizational change.

Education
President, Wharton Graduate Association; Member, Academic Planning and Budgeting Committee, Office of the President and Provost of the University of Pennsylvania

THE WHARTON SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, Philadelphia, PA MBA, FINANCE AND CORPORATE STRATEGY

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Davis, CA BA, POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Board Affiliations/Community Leadership

LAFAYETTE LIBRARY AND LEARNING CENTER FOUNDATION, Lafayette, CA
President of the Board of Trustees, 2010 Present Member of the Board of Trustees, 2007 Present Chair, Governance Committee Handled creation of all policies and procedures for Foundation, 2007 2010 Chair, Personnel Committee and the Executive Committee Chaired commission spearheading creation of a new library/learning center in San Francisco (1995-2009). Instrumental in the success of a $44M library construction project that opened in 2009. Member, Strategic Planning Committee, Acalanes Union High School District, Lafayette, CA, 2005 Board of Directors, Rebuilding Together/Christmas in April, San Francisco, CA, 1995 2002 Project Leader, several housing renovations and three community center projects Board of Trustees/Member, Budget/Finance and Student Life Committees, University of Pennsylvania, 1980 1983

Additional Experience
Strategic Directions, LLC, Lafayette, CA Provide strategic guidance to emerging companies and non-profits in the San Francisco Bay Area. 2010 Present; Served as interim CFO/vice president of finance, ATA Retail Services, Inc., 2003 2004 Numerous Service Medals, US Air Force Electronic Security Command. Team member in tracking Apollo 11 in earth orbit re-entry. Top Secret Security Clearance (inactive) Traveled, lived and worked in Asia, Europe, South Asia, South America and the Middle East