Our Founder and principal consultant
Rick Showers
Introducing Rick Showers, Founder and Principal Consultant of ProductQuest Strategies LLC.
With over 25 years of professional experience, Rick brings a multi-faceted history of achievement and leadership in the areas of Product Marketing, Product Line Management, Product Strategy, Global Launch Strategy, Sales/Margin Growth, and International Business. His background features high-volume manufacturing organizations of global scale spanning industrial, commercial, and consumer markets.
Rick’s leadership style is one of leading by example and building organizational consensus in driving cross-functional initiatives. His down-to-earth style knocks down barriers, brings different perspectives into discussions, and uses humor to keep the conversation going and reach alignment. Defining key objectives and initiating activities/metrics to achieve success is integral to his approach.
Consistent with these perspectives, Rick has driven major product platform development and launch activities on a global scale with large-scale durable goods manufacturers driving growth. Several of the product launches under Rick’s leadership have received industry awards and recognition for their innovation and high levels of customer satisfaction. He also has a proven track record of building strong sales and marketing team collaboration and increasing market share.
Rick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from the University of Wisconsin – Stout with a core concentration in Product Development. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering with a core concentration was in Product Line Management and Industrial Marketing.
Rick’s first product line management role began in 1994. His career and experience progressed through positions of increasing responsibility leading to Vice President level roles at a large global durable goods manufacturer leading the organizational Product Line Management function.
Rick has served on various committees supporting his industries and recently received a Richard C. Schulze Award for Distinguished Service and Commitment from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). He also completed all requirements to receive his Certified Foodservice Professional (CFSP) credentials from the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) for his work in the commercial foodservice equipment industry.
Rick and his wife Nancy live in beautiful lake country about 35 miles west of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While traveling extensively around the globe, Rick has always stayed close to his midwestern roots. His demeanor is very grounded, direct, pragmatic, optimistic, and open to different perspectives.
When Rick is not crafting product line strategy, he enjoys boating, golfing, bicycling, skiing, and most importantly spending time with his family. He is a strong believer in the power of business relationships and knowing the whole person and not just their work persona.
Rick's detailed background is available on LinkedIn