Professionals

As the Founder and President of Charon Industries, Mr. Shimp brings over 30 years of experience in the general management of high technology manufacturing companies. He has had P&L responsibility for more than fifteen different manufacturing businesses in the fields of precision equipment, photovoltaics, engineered materials, optics and aerospace. These businesses have ranged in size and scope from start-ups to $350 million dollar international operations with multi-plant locations.

He spent his early career at General Electric where he advanced through managerial positions in marketing, manufacturing, and engineering in both domestic and international locations. Mr. Shimp left General Electric in 1989 as the Division General Manager of the High Temperature Materials Division which produced fused quartz, refractory metals and synthetic sapphire for the electronic, fiber optic, and lighting markets. This highly profitable operation was the share in each of its key geographical segments: North America, Japan, and Western Europe.

Upon leaving GE, Mr. Shimp began his career in venture capital. He founded Charon Industries in 1991 as the vehicle to interface with the multiple investor groups he has partnered with. Under this structure, Mr. Shimp has, as their President, successfully managed companies in the fields of engineered ceramics, reinforced thermoplastic composites, precision optics, aerospace repair & overhaul, precision instruments & equipment and photovoltaics.

In 1999, the Solarex photovoltaic company, with Mr. Shimp as President, was wholly acquired by BP, plc. BP merged its own solar business with Solarex to create BP Solar. As President and Chief Executive Officer of BP Solar for the next four years, Mr. Shimp guided the company to revenues in excess of $300 million, an annual growth rate of 25% representing almost one fifth of the worldwide photovoltaic market. At the same time, unit cost was reduced by 12% per year and revenue per employee climbed by 50%. BP Solar has six primary manufacturing locations in four countries – the U.S.A., Spain, Australia and India. In addition, the company has sales offices in the U.K., Germany, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. These offices do business in over 30 countries around the world.

Since leaving BP in early 2003, Shimp has concentrated his efforts in the precision equipment and specialty materials markets. He has successfully managed more than 17 separate entities all involving the manufacture of commercial and industrial products.

Mr. Shimp holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University and Masters degrees in Engineering and Industrial Administration from Carnegie-Mellon University. He has been awarded four U.S. patents. Mr. Shimp served as a regular commissioned officer with United States Marine Corps. He is married with three children and resides in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He enjoys bicycling, cross country skiing, and fly fishing.