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Thomas Despres
Leadership Consultant & Partner
Thomas Despres joined QualiFind Executive Search after a highly successful 25 year career in operations, manufacturing and supply chain in multiple high tech companies such as Nortel Networks, Emerson Electric, StorageTek and McData.
Despres’ career evolved through progressively responsible roles up to and including Senior Vice President of Operations. He has ten years of international experience in Latin America including assignments in Mexico and Puerto Rico. During this time, he was a key driver for production transfers, greenfield projects, “turn-arounds” and major growth while finding ways to exceed customer expectations through a focus on winning cultures. His approach has always been to find a balance between results and fostering the environment it takes to achieve those results long term.
While on assignment in Puerto Rico with StorageTek, his team received the highly coveted award of “Top Ten Best Plants” in North America in 2005, an honor as recognized by Industry Week Magazine. For his efforts there and for the success in entirety, he was recognized as the Manufacturing Executive of the Year by the Puerto Rico Manufacturing Association.
Leveraging his ten year stint in Latin America and his passion for cross cultural learning, Despres authored a book entitled “The Cultural Connection: An Expatriate in Latin America” to serve as a cultural guide for leaders working across borders between US and Latin America.
Presently, Despres delivers leadership workshops for both public and private organizations as a contract trainer. His career has formed a solid foundation for his present work in leadership consulting and retained executive search. Taken together, his efforts contribute to enhancing his client’s organizational effectiveness.
Despres graduated from Campbell University in 1990 with an MBA. He also holds a BBA in Production Management from Ohio University. Adding to his academic education, he is also CPIM certified through the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) and is a Lean and Six Sigma Champion.
Despres is happily married with four children including triplets. He works from QualiFind’s office outside of Denver, Colorado.
