As an Engagement Director, Tim thrives on the challenge of creating and launching amazing products, businesses and strategic partnerships around the globe. In Fahrenheit 212, he’s found the ultimate playground and platform to practice innovation with an obsession for commercial success.
Tim started his career in engineering. Highlights include Starbucks R&D where he led or contributed to RTD coffee product development, store experience improvements, and brewing equipment innovation. He has fond memories of engaging with Howard Shultz on innovative coffee ideas. Tim led co-development projects with companies like Bodum to launch innovative home brewers into the market, and helped launch automated in-store espresso machines that improved both operating margins and the Starbucks trademark experience. He also worked on the Corvette platform for GM, and engineered everything from washing machines to small appliances for Whirlpool. Tim was the engineering lead on the KitchenAid Toaster launch and earned two US patents for product design innovations.
After earning his MBA, Tim founded a wireless internet company that fell victim to the 2001 internet bubble. He joined AT&T Wireless and led innovation in sales channels, contributing to a year over year 50% improvement in same store sales efficiency. Tim subsequently launched an enterprise software company with AT&T as its largest customer, and completed a deal to sell the platform to AT&T where it became a strategic competitive advantage. He then joined Blockbuster Video as VP of Retail Innovation where he lead the effort to launch new store concepts, and learned first hand the unique challenges of innovation under duress. After leaving Blockbuster, he’s been a trusted innovation advisor to senior executives at companies like RadioShack, NCR, SingTel, Fujitsu, and Hearst Corporation.
Tim has a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Notre Dame, a masters in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan and an MBA from Washington, all with honors.
When he’s not working, you’ll find him playing sports or exercising his passion for travel photography. He’s climbed two mountains (actually the same mountain twice), and ridden his bike from Seattle to Portland five times even though the ride doesn’t seem to be getting any easier (or shorter). More than anything else, he loves both re-learning the art of play from his son Jeremy and rediscovering the magic of life every day with his wife Kimberly.
Email Tim Sutton