School of Hard Knocks

Purdue University

CEO with Expertise in Innovation, Start-Ups, Fundraising  -  Master of Exponential Growth  - 

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

The “Mission” of Federal Prison Industries (dba / Unicor <a href="http://www.unicor.gov">www.unicor.gov</a> ) is to protect society and reduce crime by providing inmates with job training and practical work skills for reentry success.  Patrick was selected to the US Government's Senior Executive Service in late 2018.

As CEO of Federal Prison Industries, Patrick oversees the largest inmate training program in the Bureau of Prisons and one of the most important reentry programs in the Department of Justice.  FPI’s seven business units Agri-Business, Clothing & Textile, Electronics, Fleet, Office Furniture, Services and Recycling providing job skills training to approximately 10,800 federal inmates annually in 51 locations/74 factories nationwide. They currently supply a wide range of 17,000+ products and services to mainly the Federal government.

U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Prison Industries

Chief Executive Officer

Nonprofit organization dedicated to the employment of people with significant disabilities. Business segments include military/commercial garment manufacturing, call centers, document services, corrugated packaging & 3PL services.

-     Established business development group and implemented “Shipley” based proposal management process resulting in a 52% win rate on proposals and $179.7 million in contracts won in 1st 11 months of 2016.

-     Designed and launched new on-line presences for 5 divisions and secured Google GrantsPro status.

-     Developed opportunities pipeline in excess of $1.2 Billion.

-     Secured 5 year M&D contact for development of US Army’s new UIPE2 chemical warfare uniform.

ReadyOne Industries

VP Business Development

The mission of QD Solar is to develop and deliver the world¹s best performance, lowest cost solar photovoltaic technology, through the use of our proprietary technology.

QD Solar Inc.

Member, Strategic Advisory Board

- Applied Nanostructured Solutions LLC ~ (wholly owned subsidiary)

-     Dedicated to the rapid development and commercialization of nanotechnology.

-     Developed product concepts, business and commercialization plans for new technologies.

-     Inserted nano enhanced composites & thermoplastics on US Army & Navy programs.

-     Secured major supply chain partners in thermoplastics & composite sectors in China & North America.

-     Developed relationships with premier customers including 3M, Apple, GM, Nike, Sabic,
Samsung & TE Connectivity.

Lockheed Martin

Director, Business Development, Strategy

Provided customized services in investment banking, strategic partnering, business planning and M&A transactions from $3M to $250MM for private and public clients in Asia, Europe, North & South America

-     Arranged financing for development, expansion, acquisitions and buy-outs.

-     Provided counsel and advisory services to private and public companies on financing and M&A assignments.

-     Sourced private placements for clients from US and European VCs and PEGs.

-     Prepared business, technology development and market rollout plans.

-     Supported all stages of the M&A process - strategy and target identification through negotiations and completion.

The Collins Group

Executive Director

Director General / CEO

Nanox is an innovative advanced materials company based in Quebec developing and commercializing high performance, low cost nanocrystalline perovskite-based emission control Nanoxite catalyst products that allow more than 50% reduction in platinum group metals (PGM) usage.  Recruited by the preferred shareholders (VC) to re-launch the Company and prepare it for divestiture.

-     Held full P&L responsibility for $10MM and managed five staff.

-     Launched 2 new families of products aimed at reducing the amount of PGM (Platinum Group Metals) used.

-     Secured product development contract with Caterpillar.

-     Expanded product into the petro/chemical sector by developing custom formulations for UOP.

-     Entered products into vendor qualifications at Daihatsu & Ford.

Nanox Inc.

Nanometrix Inc.	, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 							2003 - 2006
Start-up company that developed a breakthrough monolayer-based thin film technology that enables the next generation semiconductor and advanced materials sectors.  With a focus on developing and driving worldwide business and relationships, I provided the vision, direction and leadership while holding full P&L responsibility for $5MM.

-     Developed business plan, solicited investors, identified and worked with potential clients while developing new business targeting the semiconductor, bio/pharma, and advanced material sectors.

-     Spearheaded a guerrilla marketing program which ignited instant credibility and positioned this small start-up alongside major industry players; including GE Global Research, 3M, and Los Alamos National Laboratories.

-     Negotiated a joint development agreement with one of Europe’s largest research institutes.

-     Developed a sales funnel with 13 world-class clients, representing 7 countries and 5 sectors.
Secured $2.5MM in additional seed capital for Nanometrix and led company to win international awards.

-     Built relationships, negotiated with venture capital firms for series A-round financing, and loan guarantees to fund R&D.

-     Company was recognized with awards including the NSTI Award, Tokyo; the SEMI Technology Innovation Showcase; and was named to NASA Tech Briefs Inaugural Nano 50.

Nanometrix, Inc.

Provider of amplifiers, dispersion compensation, phase masks, component solutions and athermal packaging for fiber optic telecommunication networks
With full P&L accountability I grew this start-up company of grating-based optical products focused on the design and development of component solutions for high speed fiber optic telecommunication networks. Revenue $5MM to $150MM -- Market Share 10% to 45%.

-     Led team of 45 direct reports, and 350 employees at two facilities, in strategic initiatives and product innovations, technologies, business operations, partnerships, technical, production, manufacturing, engineering, R&D, purchasing, marketing, sales, MIS, staffing, and business development.

-     Placed top-caliber manufacturing personnel in key positions and revamped hiring practices for production positions.

-     Penetrated and grew business with clients in the U.S. and Asia (Nortel, Lucent, JDS Uniphase, Corning, Agere) while building and managing a network of agents and representatives worldwide.

-     Developed relationships with University R&D partners in Canada, China, Germany, and Hong Kong.

-     Led development of tunable optical filter technology, a product line with 3 distinct units for different performance requirements and price points; generated two patent filings.

-     Structured and negotiated a JV agreement for the development of manufacturing facilities in Malaysia and drove the start-up of subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the People’s Republic of China.

-     Built operating infrastructure, introduced lean manufacturing and TQM techniques, and led cultural transition from an R&D focus, to a production-driven business model.

-     Outpaced competitors by driving forward quality, on-time delivery, and technical assistance initiatives; recognized by Deloitte & Touché as a Tech Fast 50 in Canada.

Bragg Photonics

CTO & VP Business Development

Multi-billion-dollar Japanese manufacturer of electro-optical components used in high-tech/medical products.  Recruited by CEO to direct operations for start-up American Division. P&L responsibility for $150MM while managing 75- person cross-functional team.

-     Key player in positioning this optical products marketer/supplier as the second largest optical lab firm in the U.S. Oversaw materials, production, facilities, MIS, maintenance, quality assurance, and customer service functions.

-     Collaborated with team to develop new marketing plan.

-     Participated in negotiations for $157MM in acquisition deals that included 14 operating units.

-     Traveled to Europe and Japan to coordinate and facilitate technology transfer, serving as liaison with Japanese engineers and contractors. Negotiated with EPA and resolved issues with Connecticut’s environmental laws.

-     Built Japanese company’s American division from start-up to a mature $157MM operation within 13 months.

-     Spearheaded $157MM acquisition.

-     Led due diligence and participated in negotiations on deal that included 14 operating units, 1,500-employees, and positioned Hoya Lens of America as the 2nd largest optical lab firm the US.

Hoya

VP of Operations / R&D

P&L responsibility for $250MM while managing 226 employees and serving as a member of the management team and the Strategic Leadership Council.  Facilitated Monsanto’s entry into the optical market by providing expertise in strategic planning, manufacturing, marketing, and product development.

-     Led development of innovative new product that captured 50% market share in the test market within 90 days, and drove estimated first-year revenue projection of $150MM.

-     Spearheaded strategy for all manufacturing operations worldwide (10,000 employees, NutraSweet, Searle, Beniva, Agricultural Products, Fibers), coordinated teams, and established a global network partnership to share best practices and foster a commitment to excellence.

-     Planned, budgeted, and managed the construction of a 117,000-sq. ft. high technology, semi-conductor grade vacuum coating plant facility with a 15,000-sq. ft. Class 100 clean room.

-     Developed operating unit at Monsanto, funding over 60 new business and product concepts.

-     Created new growth enterprises with 3 new Monsanto Sectors: Nutrition - Health & Wellness - Advanced Materials.

-     Developed strategic partnerships, aligned internal venture capital investments, and identified acquisitions.

Monsanto

Corporate Director of Growth Enterprises

Instrumental in taking this joint venture from a two-person start-up into a Fortune “Fast 500” $200 million manufacturer. Promoted to plan and manage operations for the Essilor side of the Transitions Optical joint venture with PPG.

Patrick T. O'Connor