Stan Swartz

Senior operations leader with 20+ years of experience improving execution, building scalable systems, and leading technical teams across manufacturing, automation, robotics, UAV, and industrial inspection environments. Proven ability to strengthen operational visibility, increase capacity, implement ERP-enabled controls, improve cross-functional coordination, and align engineering, production, and project execution with business objectives. Experienced in leading complex technical portfolios, developing teams, improving supply chain resilience, and advancing products and programs from concept through production readiness and deployment.

Known for a direct and collaborative leadership style that improves alignment, builds team capability, and supports disciplined execution.

VP of Operations and Engineering at Asset Integrity Management Support (AIMS) (2024-10 – 2026-03)

• Led multidisciplinary teams responsible for the engineering, testing, development, and production of products for the NDT, shipbuilding, industrial robotics and automation, and industrial pump sectors, significantly improving project communications, focus, accountability, and visibility
• Oversaw engineering and project management for product and customer-driven projects, managing up to 12 key projects, and up to 10 secondary projects simultaneously, with budgets ranging from $10,000 to $1,500,000
• Directed the upgrading of the production facilities to improve production capacity for transducers by 60% and field stations by 100%, as well as improving employee safety by improving air quality
• Built team capability through practical coaching in business strategy, ERP use, and design-for-manufacture thinking, improving collaboration and decision-making
• Led business development and proposal efforts that secured a contract for 5 robotic and semi-automated systems in the Canadian shipbuilding industry
• Led ERP implementation to improve project controls, progress reporting, inventory visibility, budget tracking, resource management, and cross-functional communication, resulting in improved awareness, focus, and agility
• Strengthened supply chain resilience by qualifying new raw material vendors and reducing security and geopolitical risks
• Improved operational flow by addressing bottlenecks across production, inventory, project execution, and administration, creating more scalable systems and processes
• Implemented a Product Lifecycle Management framework that improved version control, reduced production errors and rework, and accelerated design-change turnaround
• Built real-time departmental dashboards to monitor production and project progress, allowing for greater visibility and accountability, and more confident and timely decision making
• Improved workforce effectiveness by aligning employee capability with operational needs, shifting higher-skilled personnel from repetitive production work into engineering and project support, and backfilling production roles with entry-level staff
• Developed a partnership with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology's (NAIT) Centre for Sensors & System Integration to support applied research, product improvement, workforce development, and innovation capacity

Director of Operations and Development at Confined Space Robotics (2020-06 – 2024-10)

• Led operations and R&D for the development, integration, and prototype production of advanced robotic solutions for the rehabilitation of industrial assets (grit-blasting, spray coating, remote inspection)
• Directed the engineering group in the design, building, and testing of a magnetic-adhesive robotic chassis to carry inspection equipment, and 3D capture payloads for downstream robotic operations, leading to a field-testing partnership with an Australian service provider for our early-adopter units
• Advanced business development efforts through the creation of marketing materials, product positioning strategies, account management for sales and development projects, promotional interviews, and trade show participation
• Evaluated and selected suitable robotic and industrial equipment, and developed an automated solution for the application of industrial coatings in confined spaces, resulting in proof of concept units that led to the development of industry partnerships and development contracts
• Strengthened team performance through ongoing mentorship and knowledge sharing in business strategy, communication best practices, ERP design and management, and design, manufacturing, and service considerations, enabling more effective collaboration and operational execution
• Organized and led recurring engineering design challenges in which team members developed and presented unique solutions to real-world technical problems within defined requirements and constraints, generating stronger design concepts, expanding shared technical learning, and strengthening team collaboration and engagement
• Implemented structured communication and ERP practices that reduced email clutter and kept project, task, purchasing, production, and sales discussions organized within the relevant system records
• Led client feasibility studies to assess technical and operational viability, enabling informed go/no-go decisions and reducing risk before major project investment
• Advanced the organization to the final round of the Sprint Robotics CFM Challenge
• Awarded for Outstanding Engineering In The Area Of Materials Protection Or Remediation by the Association of Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), 2024
• Produced a comprehensive report on How Robotic Technology Will Benefit the Marine Industry in Canada, securing an invitation to produce a project proposal for one of Canada's premier shipbuilders

UAV Account Manager for Western Canada at Cansel (2019-09 – 2020-04)

• Managed and expanded Western Canada UAV/RPAS account portfolios across infrastructure, mining, forestry, agriculture, and government clients, offering expertise in aerial-based sensors and data manipulation
• UAV technical advisor - aerial systems, photogrammetry, LiDAR, multispectral, IR, gas detection
• Scoped and supported professional services engagements; authored and managed SOWs for mapping and LiDAR projects
• Collaborated with post-secondary educators to develop course material for agricultural automation
• Supported project planning for large-area LiDAR and digital-twin initiatives (e.g., 160 km gravel road corridor in Northwestern Alberta; 87 ha residential development site on Vancouver Island)
• Conducted fixed-wing photogrammetry missions and demos across Western Canada to validate solutions and accelerate adoption
• Won a contract for the sales of a fixed-wing system used to monitor the condition of wild animal herds in Northern Alberta

Operations Manager | Service Manager at Intech NDE (2002-08 – 2019-09)

• Led operations and service delivery with a continuous improvement focus across warehousing, pricing, internal workflows, tooling, and cross-team communication, strengthening agility and accountability across the company
• Managed customer relationships, ensuring service consistency and delivery quality across accounts, improving customer satisfaction and interactions
• Coordinated with global partners to align product/service strategy and maintain consistent customer experience, strengthening credibility and trust with both partners and customers
• Implemented operational improvements to processes, procedures, and employee handbook to reduce interdepartmental friction, and ensure consistency in service and sales execution and support
• Expanded UAV-based inspection product options for our clients, allowing for their safe and efficient work in hazardous, confined, and hard-to-access environments
• Trained clients in the safe and effective use of RPAS equipment for the inspection of assets and structures like ship ballast and fuel tanks, post-fire buildings, areas with active shooters, amusement park assets, storage tanks, energy plants structures, subterranean corridors, confined spaces, and building envelopes
• Implemented an NDT/UAV equipment rental framework to manage the contracts, maintenance, certification, and inventory of the rental fleet, expanding company revenue, and strengthening support and engagement with clients
• Developed and strengthened relationships with international partners and OEMs that resulted in meaningful improvements in the company's ability to service OEM equipment locally, preventing the need to ship customer equipment to the US, Europe, and Asia, saving our clients both time and money
• Created a custom ERP to manage customer records, equipment, inventory, service transactions, procurement, and documentation, reducing rework and lost revenue, while improving accountability, profitability, and the speed and consistency of client support
• Completed post-secondary courses in Operations Management, Project Management, Project Leadership, and Process Mapping, building on my college education to improve my ability to protect and grow the company
• Supported business growth through marketing materials, product demonstrations, account management, promotional activities, and trade show representation across NDT and UAV product lines

Diploma in Electronics Engineering Technology – Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)

Certificate in Operations Management – Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)

Certificate in Project Management – Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)

Certificate in Project Leadership – Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)

Certificate in Process Mapping – Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta