David N. Slutz, Managing Director
David is a skilled decision maker and negotiator with a successful history in operational improvement/Lean Manufacturing, organizational restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, design and manufacturing engineering, sales leadership, global team development and strategic business planning. His expertise in business development in multiple, demanding market segments is well proven.
David came to Potentia with more than 23 years’ experience in the elastomer manufacturing industry, including 16 years in leadership roles at Precix/Acushnet Rubber Company, first as Vice President of Business Development and then as the company’s President and CEO (2008-2015). At Precix—an integrated manufacturer of precision seals and o-rings for automotive, aerospace and energy markets—he was responsible for domestic and international multi-site operations totaling more than $60 million in sales, with full P&L, financial and banking oversight.
Prior to working for Precix, David held several positions of increasing responsibility in Sales/Marketing, Operations and Information Technology at Garlock Sealing Technologies, Palmyra, NY, and Federal-Mogul Corporation, Southfield, MI. David holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Computer Information Systems from Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, and an MBA from Syracuse University.
Michael R. Trotta, Managing Director
Mike is a skilled team builder and excels at identifying under-utilized talent within organizations and identifying needs for future growth. Mike works in a collaborative way, ensuring partnerships/acquisitions are beneficial for all parties. Mike brings M&A, sales/marketing, executive management and growth and business development experience in the automotive, medical, aerospace, and commercial markets.
Mike started his career 20 years ago as a financial advisor in a family firm before embarking on his entrepreneurial path building several businesses from the ground up in the technology, financial, and manufacturing spaces. In 2011, Mike acquired Crystal Engineering, a family-run manufacturer of high-speed stampings and CNC-machined parts. In 2012, Crystal did an internal startup concentrating on Capital equipment builds and Engineering services. Revenue has increased 3X and gross margins have improved significantly year over year while adding a number of employees to the organization.
Mike lives in West Newbury, Massachusetts with his wife and daughter and while not working enjoys skiing, rugby, and coaching soccer and baseball. Mike has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida.
Peter Kershaw, Director of Operations
Peter Kershaw brings over 25 years of manufacturing experience in the vacuum coating, fabrication and forming, embossing and R2R coating industries to Potentia. He started at Surmet Corporation, specializing in thin film, vacuum deposited coatings of alloys for the semiconductor, tooling, molding and electronics industries.
Peter joined Rogers Foam Corporation, a leader in foam packaging and design engineering to the automotive, medical and consumer markets as a production manager. He then served as Plant Manager at ITW Foils, for over 10 years, managing a 24 hr. /day 7 days/week operation manufacturing specialty films, foils, and foil laminates to the graphics industry. Peter also has experience with Start-Up ventures having been involved in a hi-tech DSSC Light Harvesting technology company. Joining Crystal Engineering in 2015 as Chief Operating Officer he is responsible for overall business improvement planning, benchmarking, production planning, and acquisitions.
With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University, Peter has built a solid foundation in operations management, team building, 80/20, Lean manufacturing concepts; specializing in visual manufacturing, 5S, Kanban, Kiazen, and SMED.