John Higdon

John Higdon has a diverse work experience spanning over several industries. John is currently the Director of Product Engineering at Merit Brass Company since July 2022. Prior to this, they held the role of Chief Engineering Officer at Supply Source Products / Isotubi-USA from September 2019 to August 2022. John served as the Vice President of Innovation & Engineering at Aalberts Industries N.V. from January 2018 to July 2019. Before joining Aalberts Industries, they were the Vice President of Engineering & Quality Assurance at "Apollo" Flow Controls, Manufactured by Conbraco Industries from April 2015 to December 2017, and held the position of Engineering / Quality Assurance Manager at the same company from January 1996 to April 2015.

John Higdon also has experience as the Commissioner / Mayor at the Town of Matthews, NC since 2013. Prior to that, they worked as the Engineering / Quality Assurance Manager at Elkhart Products Corporation from January 2013 to April 2015, and as a Product Engineer at Schrader International from 1994 to 1996.

Before transitioning to the engineering field, John had early career experiences as an Applications Engineer at Eaton from 1988 to 1994 and as a Manufacturing Supervisor at James River Corporation from 1987 to 1988. John also worked as a Decennial Census Tract Verifier at the U.S. Department of Commerce from 1986 to 1987.

Overall, John Higdon has held various leadership and managerial roles in product engineering, quality assurance, and innovation throughout their career.

John Higdon completed their Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University from 1981 to 1986. Prior to that, they attended South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC, from 1978 to 1981, but did not earn a degree or study any specific field. Additionally, they attended the Strongsville, Ohio Schools, although the duration and any degree or field of study are unknown.

In terms of certifications, John obtained the following:

- In June 1995, they earned a RAB Lead Auditor certification from Excel Partnership.

- In July 2000, they became a North Carolina Professional Engineer certified by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.

- In July 2004, they obtained a South Carolina Professional Engineer certification issued by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

- In June 2006, they achieved the Six Sigma Black Belt certification from Quality Management Associates - Mark Crossley.

- In January 2013, they obtained the Navigating Change and Minimizing Conflict certification from the Center for Creative Leadership.

- Also in January 2013, they obtained the Higdon Wildlife Sanctuary - Certified Wildlife Habitat certification from the National Wildlife Federation.