Gordon Whyte

I am an entrepreneurial senior operations executive with broad experience in General, Operational and Change Management of which more than 14 years at senior international level. I have managed multi-disciplined teams delivering complex projects worldwide in high technology based businesses, including multinational and start up businesses. I have selected and managed sub-contract manufacturing partners, utilizing low cost countries, (including semiconductor foundries, PCB board manufacturing, discrete active components, displays, sub assemblies), I have introduced new products from feasibility study through to commercialization with supporting cost reduction and product reliability programs in place, within an aggressive time to market and budgetary framework and have managed multi-site operations and where necessary rationalized operations to meet the businesses strategic short term and long term objectives. I have raised investment through Venture Capital, Government funding, sectors experienced in, Semiconductors, Cleantech / Solar, Display, training and simulation systems for military and air force, bio-technology, Telecom.

Employer:	Whitestar Solar Ltd( narec) – Blyth, UK
Position:	Chief Operating Officer / General Manager
Time period:	September 2007 - June 2010
Description:	Responsible for the management of photovoltaic research center, manufacturing, research and development projects, product engineering and development, P&L responsibility. Continually evaluating solar manufacturing technologies and analyzing there impact on the market in comparison to other cleantech technologies. Leading the commercialization of the research centers photovoltaic solar cell technology through technology spin out, technology transfer and licensing. Led acquisition of BP Solar’s LGBC solar cell manufacturing line and associated intellectual property.

Employer:	Forth Dimension displays –Dunfermline, UK
Position:	Director of Micro display operations
Time period:	October 2004 - August 2007
Description:	Responsible for manufacturing operations of micro-displays and sub-systems for helmet mounted and projection television applications. Re-started “mothballed” micro-display fabrication manufacturing foundry, ahead of schedule and on budget. Recruited management team. Developed a fabless semiconductor model to launch a new world class WXGA display to schedule. Reduced customer returns by 40% and improved delivery performance by 50%. This role had extensive travel in China and Taiwan.

Employer:	Rosebank technologies –Edinburgh, UK
Position:	Chief Operation Officer
Time period:	June 2003 - October 2004
Description:	This was a short-term project to set up an advanced semiconductor process development organization, using spin-on-glass based thick films. Responsible for operations, engineering and development functions.

Employer:	LITTLE OPTICS, INC. – Annapolis, MD
Position:	Vice President of Operations
Time period:	January 2002 - December 2004
Description:	Led day-to-day operations for this manufacturer of integrated optical ASIC’s which supplied to a diverse market covering biotechnology, communications, and the military. Define, develop, and execute manufacturing and outsourcing strategies leading towards a fabless manufacturing model. Oversee administration, human resources, facilities, and quality management. Develop and administer budgets, P&L . Monitor company wide projects. Managed wafer fabrication engineering and process development teams and device packaging team. Implemented ISO 9001 quality programs and gained certification. Led senior operations management team. Reported to Board and investors. Helped to raise $7 million in funding this allowed the organization to position it’s self to be acquired by Nomadics Plc and secured the future for the employees and returned shared holders’ value. I could see my role disappearing as part off the acquisition, so I planned my return to the Scotland to take up the project with Rosebank Technologies.

Employer:	MICRO PHOTONIX INT. CORP. – Phoenix, AZ
Position:	Director of Manufacturing
Time period:	January 2000 - December 2002
Description:	Led operations across three manufacturing divisions for this producer of telecommunication components and systems, this was a venture capital funded business. Established world-class manufacturing facilities for production of lithium niobate integrated optical components, hybrid wideband RF amplifiers and integrated photonic modules. Led Telcordia and ISO9001 quality programs successfully. Reported to the board and had full P&L responsibility, we were trying to secure funding from the venture capital community just prior to the 9/11, the VC community at that time stopped there investment activities until they could see how the events at that time impacted them, this led to not being able to secure adequate funding to keep the company running and the company was closed down. I then left to join Little optics.

Employer:	JDSU – Essex, England
Position:	Senior Manufacturing Manager
Time period:	January 1995 - December 2000
Description:	Oversaw a wide range of manufacturing initiatives for this £24 million venture capital funded opto-electronic component company. Expanded pilot production facility to world’s first high volume lithium niobate production facility. Set up factory process and production control systems. Recruited wafer fabrication and component assembly teams. Developed next generation of products supporting OC192 applications. Reported to the Board, I left this role to develop my career working in the USA with a new start up.

Employer:	THE TOWER – Montrose, Scotland
Position:	Manufacturing Consultant
Time period:	January 1993 - December 1995
Description:	Established, developed and managed consultant firm. Led management and personal development programs, reengineering and change management projects supporting small- to medium- sized high-tech companies. Orchestrated and conducted team development courses.

Employer:	SEAGATE MICROELECTRONICS
Position:	Shift Production Manager
Time period:	January 1993 - December 1994