Bob Thorbus

-- Co-founded and lead a technology company developing and commercializing breakthrough solutions in electronic power contact arc suppression and electronic arc-flash suppression – addressing longstanding electrical safety and reliability challenges. -- Directed multidisciplinary teams across R&D, manufacturing, operations, and go-to-market execution. -- Ensured product architectures support connectivity and data output for predictive maintenance IoT-enabled systems. -- Authored and lead development of engineering specifications, user manuals, and technical data sheets. -- Co-developed marketing specifications and materials for industrial and commercial end-users. -- Built a global customer base of 200+ commercial and industrial clients, including Cohu Inc., Oshkosh Airport Products, TKE Elevator, the New York City Metro Transit Authority, and Tesla. -- Negotiated international distribution agreements, significantly expanding global market reach. -- Directed manufacturing operations achieving sustained 30%+ gross margins while maintaining operational resilience. -- Coauthored 15+ engineering papers, including work presented at the 61st IEEE Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts. -- Named inventor for multiple granted patents.

-- Provide strategic oversight for a disruptive engineering technology company, aligning innovation initiatives with growth and commercialization objectives -- Secured over $5 million in equity investment to support R&D, commercialization, and expansion.

-- Founded and led a consulting practice focused on early-stage product concept development and startup engineering.

-- Co-founded a business intelligence and marketing consulting firm serving the financial services industry. -- Venture did not launch due to industry instability and the collapse of multiple pre-sold and target financial institutions during the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

(formerly Liberty Enterprises / ALTAFI Inc. / Harland Financial Solutions) -- Oversaw ALTAFI Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Enterprises (later acquired by Harland Financial Solutions) that was created by the integration of three “sibling” subsidiaries with Liberty Database Marketing Services. ALTAFI Inc. generated more than $20 million annual revenue. -- Served as senior solutions consultant on North American sales teams, setting sales targets and quotas. -- Led senior consulting services account executives and consulting team managers. -- Pioneered a new market approach that increased average annual customer revenue for new sales from under $20K to over $100K. -- Directed a 24/7 variable-content print production operation.

(formerly Liberty Enterprises / ALTAFI Inc.) -- Oversaw Liberty Database Marketing Services (a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Enterprises) generating more than $10 million annual revenue. -- Negotiated strategic reseller agreements with Claritas and Equifax, generating more than $350K in annual revenue. -- Directed the development of the financial services industry’s first web-based MCIF business intelligence platform. -- Scaled business from five customers to the third-largest MCIF provider in the US. -- Implemented consulting standards that increased annual billable projects by more than 150%.

-- U.S. Army service at U.S. European Command Joint Analytic Center (UK) and Fort Snelling SCIF (MN). -- U.S. Navy service at Marquette University NROTC (WI), Naval Station Norfolk (VA), and NAS Pensacola (FL). -- Recruited into the 469th Strategic Military Intelligence Detachment after active-duty Navy service. -- Produced and briefed strategic intelligence assessments for policy makers and flag officers. -- Maintained a Top Secret / SCI clearance, including Talent Keyhole (TK).

(formerly Duke Financial Group) -- Recruited by Duke Financial Group to lead marketing for four community banks; Minnesota banks later acquired by First Bank & Trust. -- Launched two new deposit products that reversed a four-quarter decline within 90-days. -- Restructured product offerings strengthen competitiveness and enable expansion into urban and suburban markets.

(formerly Firstar Bank) -- Oversaw retail product management for Firstar Bank’s Minnesota branches. -- Led the decentralization of product development, enabling market-centric pricing and offerings. -- Improved effectiveness of business intelligence through enhanced analytical models and delivery of actionable insights.

(formerly Investors Bank Corp.) -- Introduced advanced financial and marketing analytics into Investors Bank Corp, a significant regional savings bank and mortgage lender. -- Designed data-driven home equity marketing achieving 30%+ response rates and 1200% ROI. -- Transformed an underutilized BI system into a core executive decision-making tool.

-- Co-founded and edited an investment-focused newsletter with 500+ subscribers. -- Interviewed founders and executives of emerging biomedical and biotech companies.

(formerly Computer Petroleum Corp.) -- Led the company’s first acquisition, transforming a $300K annualized loss into a projected $50K profit within eight months. -- Member of the management team during a successful IPO.

(formerly Computer Petroleum Corp.) -- Increased annual revenue by 12% through a joint venture with GE Leasing. -- Improved data accuracy from 95.5% to 99.8%, contributing to a 10% increase in sales.