Porter Whitmire

About Porter Whitmire

Product development executive with 20+ years of experience driving innovation in product design, electro-mechanical systems, and product management. I’ve helped bring over 200 products to market—including lithium-ion power tools, thermoelectric cooling devices, modular storage solutions, and outdoor recreation gear.As a former VP of Innovation and current Chief Product Officer, I’ve built and led high-performing engineering, R&D, and product management teams. My background includes design for manufacturing (DFM), prototyping, quality systems, and sourcing, along with early-stage ideation, go-to-market strategy, and product lifecycle management. I also leverage AI daily to streamline workflows, automate business systems, and accelerate decision-making.I\'m open to full-time, and contract roles—including Product Development Engineer, Electro-Mechanical Engineer, R&D Manager, Senior Product Manager, and Director of Product Development—where I can contribute as a hands-on, results-driven leader.

Experience

1. Chief Product Officer

   Shatterbox Concepts

   Oct 2021 — Present · Greenville, SC, US

   Co-founder and product development lead at Shatterbox Concepts, a consultancy helping inventors and startups bring consumer products from idea to market. Oversaw the full development cycle for multiple products, including the Ecto Chair—a thermoelectric cooling seat for outdoor use (Ectolifestyle.com).Directed product strategy, concept development, prototyping, and production planningCreated and reviewed SolidWorks CAD models and technical drawings (used by team and partners)Managed relationships with overseas manufacturers for tooling, injection molding, metal fabrication, and assemblyImplemented quality control systems, supported regulatory documentation, and led functional testingDesigned packaging, sourced components, and optimized cost and manufacturing readinessChampioned user-centered, buildable solutions for early-stage product launchesUsed AI tools daily to automate internal workflows, improve documentation, and speed up iterative design cycles

Education

• Clemson University

  Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University

  1993 — 1998

Skills

• Product Management
• Strategic Planning
• Manufacturing
• Product Marketing
• Product Innovation
• Quality Management
• Team Building
• Design for Manufacturing
• Innovation Management
• Quality System
• Patents
• Mechanical Engineering
• Project Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Patent Applications
• Open Innovation
• Mechanical Product Design
• Engineering Management
• User Interface Design
• Cad
• Business Strategy
• Product Development
• Project Engineering
• Product Design
• Product Launch
• Design Strategy
• Competitive Analysis
• Program Management