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Travis Ellinger

Travis Ellinger

President & Founder

Travis brings over 20 years of experience in manufacturing management and consulting. He founded Strategic Manufacturing Solutions to provide optimal, efficient solutions to clients. With extensive experience in automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, Travis has partnered with numerous manufacturing companies to deliver measurable operational improvements.

Travis holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University and a Master of Science in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan. He is also a former board member of the International Automotive Oversight Bureau.

Tom Miller

Tom Miller

Vice President

Tom has 35 years of experience in the aerospace and automotive industries. He specializes in quality process development, supplier procurement/launch, and project management, consistently delivering solutions that create long-term value for clients.

Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

Mark Scholler

Mark Scholler

Vice President

Mark has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing, primarily in the automotive industry. He is a proven leader with expertise in supply chain management, operations, project management, and quality transformations. Mark specializes in identifying system constraints, diagnosing root causes, and implementing effective improvement plans.

He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Computer Science from Michigan Technological University.

Joe Rinke

Joe Rinke

Vice President

Joseph brings over 30 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, sales, and program leadership. As Vice President, he has led business development, program and product management, and complex operational initiatives across OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, with deep expertise in APQP, product launches, and operational execution.

Joseph has held senior roles at GM, Magna, Cooper Standard, Amphenol RF, and Paragon, supporting 54 successful program launches, including international assignments. He is known for driving strategic planning, P&L improvement, quality assessments, and process optimization to deliver measurable business results.

Darlene Deane

Darlene Deane

Vice President

Darlene brings over 30 years of experience in automotive manufacturing with a strong focus on quality, supply chain optimization, and operational improvement. As Vice President, she leads capacity and efficiency initiatives, supplier development, and complex problem solving, supporting OEMs through critical phases of new product launch and ongoing operations.

Darlene has held senior leadership roles at Ford and Rivian, overseeing material planning, logistics, and supply chain risk management at the director level. She is known for driving quality improvements, OEE optimization, and supplier performance while partnering closely with executive teams to deliver stable, efficient manufacturing systems.

Lindoro Anguiano Jr

Lindoro Anguiano Jr

Consultant & Business Development

Lindoro brings over 30 years of experience delivering transformational results across automotive and contract manufacturing organizations. As a Consultant and Business Development leader, he combines deep P&L ownership with hands-on operational expertise, helping organizations improve quality, profitability, delivery, and launch execution in highly complex environments.

Throughout his career at companies including Ford, Forvia, Varroc, Bocar, and Celestica, Lindoro has led plant launches and turnarounds across the Americas and China. He has supported EV OEM business development in North America, rebuilt critical OEM relationships, and brings global experience across operations, quality, strategy, M&A, and sales to drive sustainable growth and long-term partnerships.

The Experts

Strategic Manufacturing Solutions works with a team of professionals selected for their relevant industry experience. Our team members have an average of over 25 years of industry expertise and a proven track record of successful problem-solving.

Leadership