Alex Fleming- CTO/CEO
Mission Dolores
San Francisco, CA
Leadership profile
Over 25 years of innovation and technology leadership in extreme-environment system designs (Robotic Systems/Propulsion/Sensors/Energy Storage/ Detection), using counter intuitive methods to system engineering/manufacturing new components and then reducing them to simple routines. Synthesize complexity with few parts.
An awards-winning MBA with entrepreneurial experience and strong leadership with vision and drive. Exceptional at inspiring diverse teams including integration, retention, hiring, and mediation. Demonstrated leader in cost-out, quality, and program execution cross-company.
Exceptional record of solution ingenuity/troubleshooting high-profile failures as an objective expert. Quickly translate vast amounts of information into process improvements. Spearhead lean “Kaizen” events. Truncate processes. Create breakthroughs. Scale organizations and businesses.
Awards-winning technical expert steeped in systems thinking with strong analytical background in structural, thermal, hydrodynamic, acoustic, vibration, corrosion, fatigue, and vulnerability; expertise in extreme-condition designs. Expert at Design for manufacturability (DFM).
Professional Experience
iMetalx Group LLC. Principal Present
Titanium – Electro Winning: Developed novel electro-chemical Titanium process to increase its application in auto, marine and aerospace industries. Quickly formulated a team to execute research and validation including Carnegie Mellon’s Materials Department and Idaho National Lab scientists. Garnered $3.5M funding from ARPA-e for research and validation to bring price parity with stainless steel to achieve vehicle lightening at consequent fuel savings of ~25% on average.
Data Marine Aug 2016- April 2017
Chief Executive Officer
Underwater Data Center: $6M funded R&D collaborative effort to develop an Underwater Data Center system architecture, advanced cooling and renewable power schemes. Acted as Project Technical lead having developed the key patents and system architecture. Successfully designed, integrated, deployed and run at full scale for several months off the coast of California
Dehlsen Associates, LLC. (Founder of Zond–now GE Wind–and Clipper Wind) April 2012-April 2017
Chief Technology Officer
Ecomerit: Manage suite of technology assets. Evaluated technologies for assimilation into lab ranging from Energy Storage (battery, flywheel, gravity based), Drive train topologies, Solar, Desal, Data Center Infrastructure
Dehlsen Associates, LLC. (Founder of Zond–now GE Wind–and Clipper Wind) 2009- 2012
VP of Engineering (Develop Technical Teams, Strategy, Intellectual Property Portfolio, Proposals, Business Development, JVs, Technology Development, Due Diligence, Execution)
This $200M/Yr. business of GE ($180B/Yr.) provides airport screening and security equipment to DHS.
Hardware Engineering Manager (Led a team of 20)
MSSI was a boutique services and consulting company specializing in mechanical engineering solutions.
Principal (Provide high-end engineering services with 10-15 employees)
Lockheed Martin Undersea Systems-Perry Technologies 2000-2005
LMUS ($450M/Yr.) acquired Perry Technologies and provided underwater vehicle design expertise.
Staff Mechanical Engineer (LM-Perry’s Youngest SME) 2003-2005
Advanced Development Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (ADUUV)-Started as a Lead mechanical engineer for the test bed ($2M) and ADUUV ($6.5M) projects. Quickly promoted to lead a team of 10 engineers and designers with responsibilities, including: technical, budget, and schedule oversight; novel manufacturing, engineering processes, CAE tool development, ballast design, thermal management, acoustic treatments, config. management, propulsive design, energy sources, & modular instrumentation.
Senior Engineer -Go-to Technical Leader 2001-2003
ABB-CDC, J&S Analysis, West Palm Beach, FL 1999
J&S Analysis was a team of experts engaged with ABB to deal with advanced turbine designs
Designer/Structural/Heat Transfer Analyst
Pratt & Whitney, Military Engines, West Palm Beach, FL 1996-1999
Pratt & Whitney, ME ($3B/Yr.) was one of the principal contractors for jet engines to the US DoD.
Designer/ Structural Analyst for the JSF, F-100, F-119, and key Military-Jet-Engine Programs
NASA- Ames Rotorcraft and Powered Lift Branch. Moffett Field, CA Prior–1995
Georgia Technical Research Institute (GTRI), Atlanta, GA- Aeroacoustics
Education/awards/Scholarships:
Activities and Societies: Minor in German Business/Technology Delta Chi, Social Chair
B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Tech., Atlanta, GA, Minor in German Business/Technology; graduate coursework in Finite Element, Design Methods, and Acoustics. High Honors
MBA, Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School, Pittsburgh, PA
Other Awards
Grand Award Winner 41st International Science & Engineering Fair - (Mimicked dragonfly’s lift synergy with two 6 foot span scratch built remote controlled aircraft and 3 series of tests at Georgia Tech's wind tunnel )
Numerous awards/recognitions, including 1990 Nobel Ceremonies invitation- Glenn T Seaborg Nobel Prize Visit Award; International Aerospace Hall of Fame invitation. Appeared on CNN, Headline News and Smithsonian Magazine
Publications
Five publications in major technical journals on a variety of topics.
6 Patents: Centipod Wave Energy Device, Aquantis Ocean Current System Patent, Skylight Patent, Subsea Data Module
License:
Private Pilot License
Advanced Open Water Diver Certification- YMCA
ASA Certified Sailor
Triathlon- Completed Sprint, Olympic and Half Ironman Distances
Mission Dolores
San Francisco, CA
Leadership profile
Over 25 years of innovation and technology leadership in extreme-environment system designs (Robotic Systems/Propulsion/Sensors/Energy Storage/ Detection), using counter intuitive methods to system engineering/manufacturing new components and then reducing them to simple routines. Synthesize complexity with few parts.
An awards-winning MBA with entrepreneurial experience and strong leadership with vision and drive. Exceptional at inspiring diverse teams including integration, retention, hiring, and mediation. Demonstrated leader in cost-out, quality, and program execution cross-company.
Exceptional record of solution ingenuity/troubleshooting high-profile failures as an objective expert. Quickly translate vast amounts of information into process improvements. Spearhead lean “Kaizen” events. Truncate processes. Create breakthroughs. Scale organizations and businesses.
Awards-winning technical expert steeped in systems thinking with strong analytical background in structural, thermal, hydrodynamic, acoustic, vibration, corrosion, fatigue, and vulnerability; expertise in extreme-condition designs. Expert at Design for manufacturability (DFM).
Professional Experience
iMetalx Group LLC. Principal Present
Titanium – Electro Winning: Developed novel electro-chemical Titanium process to increase its application in auto, marine and aerospace industries. Quickly formulated a team to execute research and validation including Carnegie Mellon’s Materials Department and Idaho National Lab scientists. Garnered $3.5M funding from ARPA-e for research and validation to bring price parity with stainless steel to achieve vehicle lightening at consequent fuel savings of ~25% on average.
Data Marine Aug 2016- April 2017
Chief Executive Officer
Underwater Data Center: $6M funded R&D collaborative effort to develop an Underwater Data Center system architecture, advanced cooling and renewable power schemes. Acted as Project Technical lead having developed the key patents and system architecture. Successfully designed, integrated, deployed and run at full scale for several months off the coast of California
Dehlsen Associates, LLC. (Founder of Zond–now GE Wind–and Clipper Wind) April 2012-April 2017
Chief Technology Officer
Ecomerit: Manage suite of technology assets. Evaluated technologies for assimilation into lab ranging from Energy Storage (battery, flywheel, gravity based), Drive train topologies, Solar, Desal, Data Center Infrastructure
Dehlsen Associates, LLC. (Founder of Zond–now GE Wind–and Clipper Wind) 2009- 2012
VP of Engineering (Develop Technical Teams, Strategy, Intellectual Property Portfolio, Proposals, Business Development, JVs, Technology Development, Due Diligence, Execution)
- Aquantis-2.5MW Ocean Current Turbine: Developed DOE winning technical proposals. Proposal Director and Principal Investigator of winning $4.15M DOE Advanced Water Power and DOE Marine Hydrokinetic Grant- $4M. Developed teaming and IP arrangements with OEMs, Small Businesses, Universities, FFRDCs, and DOD CRADAS. Developed strategic alliances via JVs. Negotiated on a $2.1M Florida Energy Grant. Innovated three Wind/MHK Drivetrains. NOAA SBIR1 PI : Siting for MHK Devices by Means of Self Propulsion Glider ($95K). Led Technical Due Diligence for Series A investment from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries- MHI of $4M.
- Innovated and patented a Next Generation Drive Train Wind Turbine/ MHK drive- train configuration that isolates drive train from damaging Non-Torque loads as well as eliminates gearboxes, power electronics, transformers, and rare earth materials. Bosch Rexroth/Hagglunds relationship developed in concert with Aachen University to advance this drive train topology.
- Patented passive load shedding depth adjusting strategies experimentally validated at Navy’s Carderock Tow Tank facility
- Centipod-4.5MW Wave Device: As Principal Investigator- PI developed four DOE award-winning proposals totaling $4.4M. This included winning SBIR-I and -II ($1.15M) grants . Established teaming arrangements in the UK. 2014 DOE Award for Wave Power Advanced Controls grant as PI ($750K) to develop model predictive control algorithms to increase power output 300% to allow wave energy conversion-WEC devices to achieve cost competitive LCOE. Awarded 4th DOE grant on 09/15 as PI as follow on to Advanced Controls to develop a System Agnostic Switch Reluctance Linear Generator and Vernier Linear Generator in a back to back test for WECs for ($2.5M)
- Ecomerit Fund: Identified Technology assets for assimilation into the Ecomerit Fund. Performed Due Diligence on technologies ranging from energy storage (frequency regulation to grid-scale bulk storage), HTS drive trains, Drive train topologies, IC engines, and Alternative transportation.
This $200M/Yr. business of GE ($180B/Yr.) provides airport screening and security equipment to DHS.
Hardware Engineering Manager (Led a team of 20)
- DMP Homeland Leader: Drove $4.7M ($3.0M OP Plan) in cost out programs across three GE-Security Divisions (10% of $46M market value). Delivered strong-hedged productivity decks with collateral benefits: obsolescence, reliability, service productivity, & technical differentiation.
- GE Management Award: Provided solid leadership to meet CTX 9800:3D X-Ray Threat Detection POC with First Image Milestone. Homeland Security award fee of $1.2M. Spearheaded a flawless integration effort.
- Technical Differentiation: Spearheaded HVPS Development & GEHC Collaboration (#1 Customer Concern): Reduced Weight 47% and Cost 70%; Cost Modeling–$18M NPV. Hooks for further innovation such as Dual Energy and higher power X-ray tubes.
- Process Improvement: Promoted and achieved technical excellence in mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines (PCBs, firmware, data acquisition systems, High Voltage, Slip Rings, Heat Exchangers, CAE tools)
- Top Talent within just seven months. Member of GE’s Enterprise Solution’s Mechanical Technology Council. Promoted to lead electrical engineers and assimilate into one group.
- Empowering Team: Developed team members’ analytical skills and promoted cross-discipline systems training. 100% retention, despite torrid job market for such talent.
MSSI was a boutique services and consulting company specializing in mechanical engineering solutions.
Principal (Provide high-end engineering services with 10-15 employees)
- Sales: Negotiated $6M three-Year Global Engineering Services Contract w/ Siemens–1 of 5 preferred global suppliers. Clients included Lockheed-Martin and Flextronics.
- Ecomagination: Invented underwater power generation device. Grant awarded by Florida State.
- Six Sigma: Using DFSS, reduced time to market to 18 months from three years with cross-company team. $500K saved immediately, $3M long-term. Process became benchmark.
- Fuel Cells: Evaluated large-scale integral cooled casting marine structures for use in fuel cell.
Lockheed Martin Undersea Systems-Perry Technologies 2000-2005
LMUS ($450M/Yr.) acquired Perry Technologies and provided underwater vehicle design expertise.
Staff Mechanical Engineer (LM-Perry’s Youngest SME) 2003-2005
Advanced Development Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (ADUUV)-Started as a Lead mechanical engineer for the test bed ($2M) and ADUUV ($6.5M) projects. Quickly promoted to lead a team of 10 engineers and designers with responsibilities, including: technical, budget, and schedule oversight; novel manufacturing, engineering processes, CAE tool development, ballast design, thermal management, acoustic treatments, config. management, propulsive design, energy sources, & modular instrumentation.
- Novel Manufacturing: Developed an ingenious titanium casting method to overcome a show-stopping, established-materials restrictions after contract award. Using analytic methods, rapid prototyping, and leveraging existing navy expertise identified a winning solution that reduced the cost of titanium casting/machining and delivered a compliant design. This was a breakthrough.
- Game Changer: Organized a team (JPL and LM) for a possible Europa mission. Devised methods to penetrate the 25-100km icy surface, deploy an ROV and to not contaminate the environment, which was impetus behind LM’s creating the Unmanned Technology Focus Group.
- Engineering Management: Championed development efforts on an entirely new propulsion system for an AUV application. Developed aluminum rapid-manufacturing techniques for limited production vehicle. Spearheaded effort to expand analytical and design capabilities to develop their own propulsors.
- Engineering Management: Led successful development effort on a novel ballast system for a submarine launched AUV. Ballast design incorporated unique saltwater pumps, valves, noise treatments and phenolic manifold design; passed tests under various mission/depth profiles.
- Process Improvement: Developed a novel thermal management analytic strategy that precisely identified effective cooling methods and provided a means to test final system without expensive unit testing.
Senior Engineer -Go-to Technical Leader 2001-2003
- New Process: Developed innovative methods of analyzing acoustic noise in a variety of vehicles. Worked closely with world-renowned acousticians in noise quieting for vehicles and underwater applications. Conducted/led noise reduction programs, achieving unprecedented success.
- Technology Breakthrough: Designed vehicles for electric, hydraulic, fuel cells, closed brayton-cycle and diesel energy sources. Also, designed modular energy system for mission/endurance performance requirements. Integrated cast structural/cooling schemes for energy modules.
- Process Improvement: For a diesel-powered AUV, sea trials uncovered propulsor acoustic cavitation. An outside expert recommended a complete redesign, impacting both cost ($2M) and schedule. Initiated a root-cause analysis with a permanent solution, saving program from default.
- Problem Solver: During sea tests, the Diesel-powered crank nose failed. Uncovered root cause, developed a torsional flex coupling, analyzed in a test cell, and successfully implemented within six months for successful at-sea testing. Received Lockheed Martin Rave Award.
- Process Improvement: Led entire effort for complete redesign of power generation system, leading to a strategy that reduced part count (67%), weight (60%), increased efficiency (35%), reduced Life-Cycle-Cost (17%) all at once, with $750K cost benefit per vehicle (of $1.7M).
ABB-CDC, J&S Analysis, West Palm Beach, FL 1999
J&S Analysis was a team of experts engaged with ABB to deal with advanced turbine designs
Designer/Structural/Heat Transfer Analyst
- Leadership Potential: Youngest member invited to join a team of world-renowned turbine experts. Made seminal contributions to turbine innovation, structural design, heat transfer analysis, and turbine maintainability. German language/culture Helped customer relationships.
Pratt & Whitney, Military Engines, West Palm Beach, FL 1996-1999
Pratt & Whitney, ME ($3B/Yr.) was one of the principal contractors for jet engines to the US DoD.
Designer/ Structural Analyst for the JSF, F-100, F-119, and key Military-Jet-Engine Programs
- Top Talent: Worked on a series of high visibility/impact projects, including JSF jet engine blade-design optimization, through complex aerodynamic, structural/thermal loading analyses; a novel instrumentation probe, with a reduction in temperature (450°) and FOD risk.
NASA- Ames Rotorcraft and Powered Lift Branch. Moffett Field, CA Prior–1995
Georgia Technical Research Institute (GTRI), Atlanta, GA- Aeroacoustics
Education/awards/Scholarships:
- U.S.A.F. Systems Command Scholarship
- Georgia Institute of Technology Research Scholarship
- Federal Aviation Administration Scholarship 1988 90
- Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarship 1992 and 1994
- AIAA/TRW Scholarship
Activities and Societies: Minor in German Business/Technology Delta Chi, Social Chair
B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Tech., Atlanta, GA, Minor in German Business/Technology; graduate coursework in Finite Element, Design Methods, and Acoustics. High Honors
MBA, Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School, Pittsburgh, PA
Other Awards
Grand Award Winner 41st International Science & Engineering Fair - (Mimicked dragonfly’s lift synergy with two 6 foot span scratch built remote controlled aircraft and 3 series of tests at Georgia Tech's wind tunnel )
Numerous awards/recognitions, including 1990 Nobel Ceremonies invitation- Glenn T Seaborg Nobel Prize Visit Award; International Aerospace Hall of Fame invitation. Appeared on CNN, Headline News and Smithsonian Magazine
Publications
Five publications in major technical journals on a variety of topics.
6 Patents: Centipod Wave Energy Device, Aquantis Ocean Current System Patent, Skylight Patent, Subsea Data Module
License:
Private Pilot License
Advanced Open Water Diver Certification- YMCA
ASA Certified Sailor
Triathlon- Completed Sprint, Olympic and Half Ironman Distances