Kent B. Godsted, M.E.M.

Formal Education
MS Engineering Management, Illinois Institute of Technology 1982
(Formerly Midwest College of Engineering)
BS Mechanical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology 1966

Certifications
Professional Engineering Registration in Kentucky #14871 (Retired)
Professional Engineering Registration in Illinois #62-25930 (Retired)
Eight U.S. Patents Granted
Personal Trainer Certification YMCA 2007
Technical Instructor – Somerset Community College 2008

1995 to 2006 (Retired) Illinois Tool Works

Engineering Manager – Paslode Division

Paslode designs and manufactures collated residential fasteners such as framing nails, hurricane strap nails, brads and staples as well as pneumatic and combustion powered tools for fastener installation.

I directed a department of seven engineers and technicians in the following development projects:

 Fastening wood members to steel framing with nails.
 In-line neutral heat-treating of low carbon steel fasteners for hurricane straps with a product patent granted.
 Nail coatings to improve nail performance with a product patent granted.
 Improved performance of a flush panel fastener with a product patent granted.
 Successful transfer of Paslode flush panel manufacturing technology and equipment to an outsource manufacturer.
 Three Paslode-wide projects to improve the performance of framing fasteners. Project failure would have led to product withdrawal from the Paslode fastener product line.
 A company-wide program to simplify the design and manufacture of Paslode framing fasteners, which significantly reduced manufacturing costs.
 Design and manufacturing technology required for nine new sizes of the Paslode RounDrive™ framing nail product.
 Standardization of tooling type and geometry for fastener manufacture.

I managed the department responsible for testing and validation of Paslode and competition fasteners and fastening systems.

1993 to 1995 – Quikdrive, U.S.A.

General Manager

Quikdrive designs and manufactures collated fasteners and associated tools for residential construction.

I directed the day-to-day operations of Quikdrive and was responsible for Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing, Shipping, Customer Service and Governmental Compliance.

1991-1992 Construction Fasteners, Inc.

Operations Engineering Manager

Construction Fasteners designs and manufactures fasteners and fastener related products for residential construction.

I was responsible for technical leadership of Construction Fasteners, Inc.

 Development and engineering of roofing fasteners, self-drilling screws and threaded anchors for concrete.
 Development and testing of emission compliant corrosion resistant coatings for roofing fasteners.
 OSHA and EPA compliance
 Maintenance and Quality Control Departments


1985-1991 Black and Decker

1986-1991 Plant Manager – Parker Kalon Division

1985-1986 Engineering Manager – Parker Kalon Division

Parker Kalon designs and manufactures fasteners for automotive and residential applications.

I was responsible for the operation of Parker Kalon, a division of over 200 employees:

 Implementation with union cooperation of programs to improve quality and productivity.
 Established a preventative maintenance program for manufacturing equipment.
 Implemented project accountability.
 Significantly increased patent disclosures resulting in six new product patents.
 Conducted a raw material study that resulted in reduced scrap and higher productivity.
 Rewrote employee handbook and position descriptions.
 Standardized overtime policies.
 Instituted an in-house employee education program.

I was responsible for the technical direction of the Parker Kalon offshore licensing program:

 Improved communications and sales by implementing new product bulletins, with regular visits to the overseas licensees to solve problems and fill new product needs.

I had leadership responsibility for Research and Product Development for the Molly Division of Black and Decker.


1980-1985 Illinois Tool Works

New Product Development Supervisor – Buildex Division

Buildex designs and manufacturers threaded fasteners for residential construction.

I directed the efforts of four project engineers to develop fastener related products:

 Corrosion resistant fastener coatings and their applications in bulk coating equipment.
 Patented fastening systems for concrete and metal buildings.
 Additives and resins suitable for exterior fastener applications.


1964-1980 Continental Group

1979-1980 Senior Project Engineer – Bondware Division

I was responsible for engineering and process improvements in foam beverage cup manufacture.

1977-1979 Senior Project Engineer – Plastics Division

I participated in the design, engineering and implementation of an innovative process to form plastic containers using an automated forging process.

1964-1977 Senior Engineer/Engineer – Technical Center

I had project responsibilities within three major product development programs that resulted in successful manufacturing processes:

 Thermoplastic powders alloyed with fillers and additives used in the manufacture of containers.
 Study the interaction of electrical and mechanical parameters on the metallurgy of welded steel containers.
 Forming containers using electrical impulse energy.