| |
 As
the founder and president of Charon Industries,
Mr. Shimp brings over 25 years of experience in
the general management of high technology manufacturing
companies. He has had P&L responsibility for
more than fifteen different manufacturing businesses
in the fields of precision equipment, photovoltaics,
engineered materials, optics and aerospace. These
businesses have ranged in size and scope from
start-ups to $350 million dollar international
operations with multi-plant locations.
He spent his early career at
General Electric where he advanced through managerial
positions in marketing, manufacturing, and engineering
in both domestic and international locations.
Mr. Shimp left General Electric in 1989 as the
Division General Manager of the High Temperature
Materials Division which produced fused quartz,
refractory metals and synthetic sapphire for the
electronic, fiber optic, and lighting markets.
This highly profitable operation was the share
in each of its key geographical segments: North
America, Japan, and Western Europe.
Upon leaving GE, Mr. Shimp began
his career in venture capital. He founded Charon
Industries in 1991 as the vehicle to interface
with the multiple investor groups he has partnered
with. Under this structure, Mr. Shimp has, as
their president, successfully managed companies
in the fields of engineered ceramics, reinforced
thermoplastic composites, precision optics, aerospace
repair & overhaul, precision instruments &
equipment and photovoltaics.
In 1999, the Solarex photovoltaic
company, with Mr. Shimp as president, was wholly
acquired by BP, plc. BP merged its own solar business
with Solarex to create BP Solar. As president
and chief executive officer of BP Solar for the
next four years, Mr. Shimp guided the company
to revenues in excess of $300 million, an annual
growth rate of 25% representing almost one fifth
of the worldwide photovoltaic market. At the same
time, unit cost was reduced by 12% per year and
revenue per employee climbed by 50%. BP Solar
has six primary manufacturing locations in four
countries – the U.S.A., Spain, Australia
and India. In addition, the company has sales
offices in the U.K., Germany, Malaysia, Hong Kong,
and Vietnam. These offices do business in over
30 countries around the world.
Since leaving BP in early 2003,
Shimp has concentrated his efforts in photovoltaics,
precision equipment and specialty materials and
is involved with companies in these fields.
Mr. Shimp holds a B.S. in Mechanical
Engineering from Lehigh University and Masters
degrees in Engineering and Industrial Administration
from Carnegie-Mellon University. He has been awarded
four U.S. patents. Mr. Shimp served as a regular
commissioned officer with United States Marine
Corps. He is married with three children and resides
in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He enjoys bicycling, cross
country skiing, and fly fishing.
|
