Wayne A. Pletcher, Professional Profile
851 N. Rios Ave.
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Wayne.Pletcher@gmail.com
651-341-8350
Professional Profile Summary
Seasoned executive with proven expertise in creating growth opportunities and with
outstanding skill and ability in leading organizational change. A strong record of creating,
developing and deploying innovative, real world solutions in the technical, management and
business arenas. A builder of successful collaborations and partnerships in large, medium and
small businesses.
Leadership with both large, complex organizations and small, nimble organizations:
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Builder of a shared vision—bold and courageous
Leader of change—pushes the edge without making people uncomfortable
Champion for the use and the strategic advantages for all types of technology—scientist
and realist
Delivers results
Understanding and appreciation of organizational culture:
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Promotes collaboration
Pushes the culture of innovation
Excellent builder of networks
Management abilities:
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Team Builder—able to attract and lead a strong team, with a demonstrated record for
diversity hiring and promoting
Creative problem solver—track record as a change agent
Established reputation for fairness—strong sense of justice
Results focused—clear in direction, delegates responsibility and requires accountability
Assessment expertise—experienced in technical and business processes for laboratory
and business review
Personal effectiveness:
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Outstanding communication skills—both in articulation of ideas and as an active listener
Flexibility—deals effortlessly with a multiplicity of attitudes, opinions and multinational
constituencies
Highly energetic—energizes others
Impeccable integrity—engenders trust and inspires others
Confident, approachable, accessible, sense of humor
Passion for learning
Professional Experience
2007—Present:
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CEO of PLETCHER, INC., an innovation and business consulting firm
(http://pletcherinc.com/)
Adjunct Professor, University of Minnesota, Technological Leadership Institute
Author of Campaign of Fear, Held Hostage, The Path to Revenge
(http://thecampaignoffear.com/)
2003—2007: President and CEO, Minnesota Technology, Inc.
Led the reinvention, stabilization and success of the new Minnesota Technology, Inc.
organization after state funding was halted. After three years and the dedication and
commitment of the MTI leadership team, MTI became financially sustainable. Breaking even
was a great milestone for the organization and validated the new focus of taking a customer
perspective, partnering and focusing on innovative business technology.
1. Implemented a business planning process that brought about the establishment of
revenue generating units in Business Services, Publishing, Events, Grants, and Contracts.
Drivers for success included innovation in meeting customer needs, business growth and
partnerships. Set up an array of important partnerships including those with DEED, U of
MN, MNSCU, the MIF’s, and other state economic development organizations.
2. Developed the MTI Board from a few people to ten executives with experience in the
MTI businesses, finance, communications/PR, and fundraising. This board provided
excellent governance/oversight as well as functional input during the significant
transformation.
3. Built a new perspective within the organization to focus on both customer needs and
business opportunity. Leadership, responsibility and accountability were the new
watchwords in the operation. Innovations in these areas included:
a. Process for customer need identification
b. Process for internal development of new products and services
c. Refocusing on the 90% manufacturing companies in the state i.e. those with
fewer than 50 employees.
d. Mentoring the leadership team and staff in business best practices—
planning, goal setting, performance management, accountability
4. Identified and then developed a key partnership with DEED (Minnesota Department of
Employment and Economic Development). DEED provided both indirect and direct
support to MTI and to MTI programs. The relationship also contributed to the efforts
with the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, MIF’s and
other economic development organizations.
5. Revamped and expanded the product and services portfolio to address the needs of
Minnesota’s small manufacturing businesses. In addition, developed new methods for
delivering these products and services such as Technology Awareness Forums, Specialty
Seminars, and Electronic Technology Trends.
1996—2003: Director of Corporate Technical Planning, 3M
Led the planning and implementation of all aspects of the global technology building and
business growth strategies. These responsibilities started with the Foresight Process for
identifying and resourcing future technologies through program and business reviews to R&D
process reviews. In addition, led strategic positioning for an array of programs: evaluation and
divestiture of the medical device business, technology transfers to European and Asian
partners, evaluation and realignment of the technical centers, formatting and managing the
acceleration data base and the new product sales data base, developed critical technical
concepts for use in the global strategic business planning.
These responsibilities also included leading an array of efforts designed to enhance the
technical community’s capabilities. These efforts encompassed leading the technical education
program e.g. 3M’s well respected technical forums and technical liaison programs, special
events and education outreach. In addition, led the efforts to leverage funding and technology
with government R&D contracts and the Chemical, Biological and Radiologic Technology
Alliance to enhance key 3M growth programs.
1992—1996: Technical Director and Business Development Director, Audio/Video Products
Division, 3M
Developed and implemented into ferociously competitive markets new technology as well as
successful new products for consumer, professional, and duplicator businesses. Key leader in
positioning 3M to take advantage of the transition from analog to digital—Led and organized
the US Digital Recording Alliance, established OEM alliances and joint programs on digital VCR
and HDTV with Philips and Matsushita, actively participated on 3M’s behalf on the HDTV
Council. Internally developed and led the division in the migration to digital by using an
advanced new product commercialization process.
1989—1992: Technical Director Professional Audio and Video Specialty Products, 3M
Faced with unprecedented market pressures, led the revitalization of the division’s technical
effort by:
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Upgrading the technical expertise through new hires and training
Establishing a pacing model for development of both products and new technology
Revamping technical service for the newly organized global business
Implementing cooperative technical programs in Europe, Canada and Japan
Chairing the division’s quality assurance products and services committee
Instituting “business accountability” into the product development process
This very hard work was recognized with 3M’s first MP video product as well as three Golden
Step Awards (an internal 3M program designed to showcase successful new product
introductions)
1986—1989: Technical Director Memory Technology Group Laboratories, 3M
Orchestrated multiple consolidation and reorganization efforts to align the work of over 500
scientists and technologists to address the increasingly competitive memory technology
market.
1976—1986: Supervisor, Technical Manager and Laboratory Manager in Adhesives, Coating,
& Sealants, 3M
Planned and established a new research laboratory for the AC&S Division including hiring ten
senior technical scientists, developing new commercially successful products and revamping
the product introduction system.
1972—1976: Technologist 3, Technologist 4, and Technical Coordinator Central Research
Laboratories, 3M
Awarded six distinct US patents for new technology and designed segment polyester adhesives
and binding systems for commercialization in the AC&S division based on this new technology.
Major Leadership Assignments, 3M
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Corporate Strategic Planning Committee
Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions Committee
Purchased Research and Consultants Committee
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Representative to MHTA Board of Directors
Representative to MCO Board of Directors
Representative to IRI
Board Experience and Professional Affiliations
2012—Present: Lyngblomsten Investment Committee
2000—Present: Falcon Heights Foundation, Vice Chair
1998—2005: MHTA Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Chair (led successful
Wonders of Technology event at 2003 Minnesota State Fair)
1998—2005: University of Michigan Chemistry Department Advisory Board
2000—2005: Minnesota Cooperation Office
Patents, Publications, Presentations
Some authorship highlights from over 40 years of active leadership:
 Six issued US patents with 28 outside the US counterparts
 Ten referred technical publications
 Benchmarking presentations on innovation, new products and culture to Fortune
500 companies e.g. HP, Praxair, Ford, Emerson, Lucent, Graco, Cargill
 Three novels: The Campaign of Fear, Held Hostage, The Path to Revenge
Education
1960: Salutatorian McLuney High School, college prep curriculum (The journey from McLuney
to Ohio University included two years, 1961-1963, as a clerk to FBI agents at the Justice
Department in Washington, DC.)
1966: BS cum laude Ohio University, Chemistry
1967: MS University of Michigan, Chemistry
1970: PhD University of Michigan, Organic Chemistry
1971: Post Doctoral Florida State University, Chemistry
1971—Present: Lifelong Learning including: technical and business management, innovation
evaluation and assessments, new product development, introduction and commercialization,
leadership training, strategic planning, mergers/acquisition processes.
Family
Carol, wife for 46 years, President of PLETCHER, INC. and former Cargill Innovation Officer
Mark, Justice Department assistant attorney general married to Nette, Director of Conservation
Education for the AZA. Alex, five year old grandson
Erik, senior manager at ferrazzigreenlight, married to Kate, founder of Treehouse Partners.
Cain, five month old grandson
Interests and Personal Highlights
Graduation from full time employment offers time and resources to engage in new adventures
like starting a business and writing novels. It also provides time to contribute experience and
expertise as an adjunct professor and investment advisor. There is also more time to travel
(recent trips to South Africa and Cuba), to garden (a raspberry endeavor that creates 160 jars of
jam), to hike with family in the Caribbean, to take swimming lessons, to plan birthday parties
for 90 year old mother, and to contribute to university scholarship programs.