About Waddell Group
Our mission is to identify and provide exemplary project managers into regulated industries, including medical device and aerospace. This gives companies access to great project leaders on an “as needed” basis, and an opportunity for gifted project leaders to work on projects outside an organization’s politics and other “non-project” related issues.
Beyond essential project management skills, our highly experienced project managers know how to lead teams, manage in times of crisis, and influence for change. We offer expertise, intellectual property and proven methodologies.
One of our core strengths is leading troubled projects out from chaos. Chaos can create paralysis, lack of direction and ineffectiveness in the work place; but not to the project managers we select. We are experts at getting work back on track and creating schedules that are dependable and realistic. When your project success looks bleak, we step in with the right skills, the right talent and experience to get you on track.
How We Got Started
Founded by Tom Waddell in 2016, Waddell Group follows a 17-year track record founding and running Project Leadership Services, an industry leader in providing expert project leaders to many companies and sectors.
Waddell Group provides project management consultants and employees dedicated entirely to the regulated industries, including medical device and aerospace. Waddell Group will provide high end service and respond to a market need for more moderately priced project managers.
Our Founders
Tom Waddell
CEO
Tom Waddell is the owner and CEO of Waddell Group and the co-founder and former co-owner of Project Leadership Services/PLS Inc. With an extensive history as a leader and senior consultant in the medical device industry, Tom has expertise in technical project management, small company executive management, product development and process reengineering. Tom holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Shelly Franz
Resource Manager
Shelly Franz is a management consultant and executive coach with over 28 years of experience. As the Resource Manager for Waddell Group, Shelly brings insight, humor and operational excellence to our company, our consultants, and our clients – managing all of the back office activity and social events for the company. She is a graduate of St. Olaf College and has a masters in Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota.
Bill Davis
V.P. of Consulting Services
Bill Davis has an entrepreneurial mindset and a mission to shape the future of industry by leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive efficiency and superior outcomes. Specializing in business development and consulting, he helps organizations bridge gaps, overcome challenges, and achieve sustainable growth through strategic vision and hands-on leadership.
Our Project Leaders
Julie Kaiser-Braden
Project Manager
Julie Kaiser-Braden brings over 20 years of experience to project management, product development, process transfer, manufacturing engineering, and quality systems.
Read MoreGuang Zhang
Project Manager
Guang has over a decade of experience with significant medical device companies. He has led mergers and acquisitions integration projects, as well as executing the implementation of commercial capital equipment project lines.
Read MoreTheresa Kimler
Project Manager PE, PMP
Theresa Kimler is a dynamic and resourceful Project Manager with a passion for developing and bringing out team excellence.
Read MoreRyan Anderson
Project Manager
Ryan is a natural, high energy leader with a philosophy of employee development, empowerment, and sustainable long term improvements in performance.
Read MoreHenry Pak
Project Manager
Henry Pak has over 25+ years of broad life sciences experience ranging from academic research to industry R&D and management consulting.
Read MoreSteven Colbert
PhD, PE
Steve has over 20 years of experience managing projects, 15 years of that in the Medical Device field. One of his more legendary projects included the identification of a new polymer to replace the optic window in a heart catheter.
Read MoreWe are proud members of:
Medical Alley Association
Medical Device Resource Group