Meet the Team: Joe Grez
Written by Tom Nugent on Sunday, January 4th, 2009
We’ll kick off 2009 with a new “Meet the Team” entry (apologies for such a long delay in blogging). Joe Grez is one of the most recent additions to the LaserMotive team, and was brought in by Dave Bashford. Here is Joe’s background:
Joe Grez has a jumble of education. It includes a BS in physics, a minor in music and art, a few years of architecture studies, half of a yacht design associates degree, coursework in various engineering disciplines, industrial design (IDEO), and manufacturing process, plus a seriously healthy dose of project management coursework, some of which stuck. This varied background is perfect for something. But instead, he’s worked for 22 years in project and program management focusing on early-phase product development programs; solving consumer dilemmas through concept development and the creation of functionality in products. He’s been voted by his peers as the most desirable person to be marooned with because he can supposedly make anything work. He’s worked for startups in Photovoltaics, medical diagnostics, IR air countermeasures but for 10 years now he’s managed programs to create new Soncicare products for Optiva/ Philips. He has 18 PCT (WIPO patent) applications, three of which have turned into US patents. He also points out that an additional 14 of his applications have been abandoned or rejected before granting and he’s written over 150 disclosures. But he’s not cross about it. Joe joined LaserMotive just a few months ago to work with team members to manage the timeline, promote focus, ask stupid risk questions and generally improve the odds of biting off the right amount to meet timing goals. He says that with this team’s skill set and dedication, it’s not such a hard job if he can just figure out how e-mail works. He lives in the shadow of Mt. Si with his family, Linda and 4 year old Anna, not to mention the cows, elk, cougar, bears and bobcat. In his spare time, he’s starting a business called PropEle to develop and sell a very high efficiency low power marine drive system that enables best-of-class range with minimal battery power.
Joe has already helped bring great focus to test scheduling and some sub-system work. Despite his initial skepticism about our ability to get everything done in time, he is now convinced we’ll make it all work beautifully, and on time!