James Hedgecock

About James Hedgecock

I have managed products as well as companies. I have been an engineer, a marketer, and entrepreneur. Through all of my adventures my passion lies in bringing together all the departments of a product-focused company and creating communication that maximizes sales. Without good communication product launches and product lifecycles can fizzle, leading them to deliver a fraction of the potential ROI. This is where I thrive and I can deliver maximum value to a company.From a young age I have been fascinated with the problem-solving nature of product development and product launch. This passion led me to study mechanical engineering at UCSB. I furthered my education with SDSU’s MBA program where I learned how to combine business and engineering. After college, I worked for Sony as a mechanical engineer where I learned from one of manufacturing’s giants what the product development cycle should look like from design to fruition. I furthered my development at Dimension One Spas where I moved from Product Development Manager to Marketing Manager, to VP of Business Development and ultimately, to COO. My passion and experience led me to found Bounce Composites. We developed our own patented manufacturing process using thermoplastic composite material to make products that are extremely durable, without sacrificing weight or performance. Our Bounce SUP brand proudly manufactured its paddleboards in California where we controlled the manufacturing process, resulting in a high-quality product and a process with a smaller environmental footprint. After 5 years, I passed the reins at Bounce to pursue an exciting opportunity at Solatube International. At Solatube I had the privilege of managing the daylighting and ventilation products.But composites dragged me back. I reconnected with the team at Composites One, my main supplier at Bounce Composites. I knew from my experience working with Composites One that I was going to be working with an amazing team of people. The job, Advanced Composites Applications Manager, is a mouthful. What it really means is that I support our sales team by using my experience in engineering and business to help our customers with new projects. I get to actually go inside companies building amazing products out of composites and learn what they do while helping them be successful. This role has been extremely rewarding, and I am enjoying every day.

Experience

1. Advanced Composites Applications Manager

   Composites One

   Sep 2020 — Present · San Diego County, CA, US

   Responsible for leading the Advanced Composites regional sales effort by facilitating activities with business development and composites applications, identifying and cultivating regional Advanced Composites customer, supplier, and OEM relationships, and identifying and coordinating Advanced Composites resources. Serve as the materials and applications consultant to Advanced Composites customers and sales team.

Education

• San Diego State University

  MBA, Business Administration

  1999 — 2002

• UC Santa Barbara

  BSME, Mechanical Engineering

  1995 — 1999

Skills

• Process Improvement
• Management
• Team Building
• Marketing
• Manufacturing
• Sales Management
• Lean Manufacturing
• Budgeting
• Business Development
• Business Planning
• Operations Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Business Strategy
• Continuous Improvement
• Project Portfolio Management
• Leadership
• Strategy
• Product Development
• Product Marketing
• Business Management
• New Business Development
• Budgets
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Marketing Strategy
• Strategic Planning
• Competitive Analysis
• Start-Ups
• Project Management
• Product Management
• General Operations