THE OPPORTUNITY 

• Do you want to lead an ESOP organization that recognizes its people as their most valuable asset?
• Are you ready to lead a growing organization to its next stage of success by applying your strategic leadership, operational experience and business development expertise?
• Have you held full P&L responsibility for an organization or business unit and are you prepared to bring that experience to your next leadership opportunity?

ABOUT THE COMPANY 

Our client, Kustom Signals, Inc., is a privately held company specializing in the design and assembling of speed enforcement and video evidence solutions for law enforcement agencies. Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, the company has a long-standing history of innovation in traffic safety technology. Kustom Signals operates as a mid-sized organization, serving customers across the United States and internationally. Its product portfolio includes police radar, LIDAR (laser speed measurement), in-car and body-worn camera systems, and digital video evidence management solutions. Known for its reliability and commitment to public safety, Kustom Signals continues to support law enforcement professionals with advanced tools designed to enhance roadway safety and accountability.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING 

The President, reporting to the CEO of MPD, Inc. (Parent Company), the President is responsible for leading the company to achieve strategic and measurable results that create long-term value for all stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, results-driven leader with experience in an ESOP, family-owned or closely held business environment. Experience in electronics manufacturing and public safety or related technology sectors is a plus with a proven track record of developing, executing, and sustaining long-term growth strategies. 

Strategic Leadership

• Contribute to and help shape the overall Company strategic plan while leading the organization’s strategic planning process.
• Own and drive strategic initiatives across sales, marketing, product development, and advanced sensing and radar-based technologies.
• Lead innovation efforts aligned with market needs, regulatory requirements, and emerging public safety trends.
• Ensure effective strategy deployment and achievement of divisional goals, proactively removing obstacles and implementing countermeasures to maintain momentum.
• Align financial and operational plans with the strategic roadmap to support scalable growth, product innovation, and market expansion.

Operational Leadership

• Lead end-to-end operations, including electronics manufacturing, assembly, supply chain, quality assurance, and product delivery.
• Drive operational excellence through lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and rigorous quality systems appropriate for mission-critical public safety products.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive division scorecard with clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), ensuring accountability and transparency.
• Conduct regular operational and product performance reviews to ensure alignment with strategic, production, and quality objectives.
• Engage at the production floor level to reinforce standards, improve throughput, and ensure alignment with safety and quality expectations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and strategic partners, including those in government and law enforcement sectors.

Financial Performance

• Along with MPD Inc., develop and execute the annual divisional financial plan and budget, aligned with strategic priorities and production capacity.
• Collaborate with the CFO and leadership team to monitor financial and operational performance and implement corrective actions to achieve targets.
• Maintain strong oversight of financials, including income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow, with emphasis on cost control, inventory management, and capital investment efficiency.
• Deliver accurate forecasting and reporting to anticipate demand, manage margins, and mitigate operational and financial risks.

Talent and Employee Engagement

• Champion and model the Company’s Core Values, fostering a culture of accountability, quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, develop, and retain top talent across engineering, manufacturing, and commercial functions.
• Build a strong leadership bench and ensure capable, engaged leaders are in critical roles.
• Coach and mentor direct reports through leadership development, technical understanding, formal evaluations, and regular one-on-one engagement.

IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

• Manufacturing Industry experience a must, with electrical/electronics manufacturing and/or assembly a plus
• Experience in leadership in both sales and operations would be ideal
• Full P&L responsibility and can demonstrate strong financial acumen, with ESOP experience a plus
• Organizational leader with proven experience in fostering and growing a strong culture and engagement with employee development embedded
• Has developed and deployed strategies for growth, market differentiation, and superior customer experience with substantiated results over more multiple years
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational improvement
• Experience working with an ERP and BI tools a plus
• Board of Director interface experience a plus
• Acquisition experience a plus
• Bachelor’s degree with a preference for an MBA

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES 

• Emotionally intelligent (even keeled with superior interpersonal skills)
• Genuinely values employees as individuals, actively supports their career development, and holds them accountable for performance and results.
• Strong communication and influencing skills (verbal and written)
• Values law enforcement as a profession and recognizes its vital role in serving and protecting society.
• Appreciation for data and how to utilize it for strategic purposes
• Operates effectively with a high degree of independence while contributing to the broader organization and maintaining accountability to the collective team.
• Innovative problem solver and creative thinker who engages the team collaboratively
• Passion and energy for manufacturing and technology

THE PAYOFF 

Benefit from a transition period working alongside the retiring President to gain deep organizational insight, followed by the opportunity to shape the future of a well-established company poised for growth with the backing of its holding company.