Michael V. Hoagland
Managing Partner & Principal Consultant
Michael Hoagland is a strategic business leader with extensive global experience in the aerospace, defense, industrial, and sensor industries. Prior to founding Hoagland Management & Consulting LLC, Michael held executive-level leadership positions in general management, program management, business development, and engineering. He has worked for Fortune 500 OEMs and private equity portfolio companies, including Kaman Aerospace, Goodrich, General Dynamics and Enflo. From developing strategies for business growth to leading turnaround situations, Michael brings his innovative mindset and entrepreneurial spirit to strategizing, developing, managing, selling, and leading teams that develop innovative highly engineered solutions for critical applications. His servant leadership style has served him well in creating synergistic teams and partnerships, exceeding customer expectations and inspiring the human spirit.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology and a Master of Science degree in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Executive Master’s Program. He has authored and presented numerous technical papers at international conferences on helicopter and unmanned aircraft systems technology. He is a PMI-certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and volunteers to mentor other project manager professionals. Michael is also a Connecticut Manufacturing Ambassador.
Michael lives in Connecticut with his South African-born wife, and they have five children. He is passionate about outdoor activities including hiking with his dog Charlie, sea kayaking, and fitness, and has run many road races including six marathons and several adventure races.
Dean S. Jorgensen
Principal Consultant & Associate Partner
Dean Jorgensen is a highly experienced business development and operations executive and entrepreneur with extensive management experience in the defense, aerospace, aviation, maritime, and energy sectors. He has made significant contributions to several multinational corporations including Textron, Zodiac Aerospace (now Safran), Kaman Aerospace, and HDT Global. Dean is adept at developing and executing strategic plans for the sales and marketing of high-tech solutions to US and international customers in support of organic and M&A growth objectives. He is noted throughout industry as one who is able to coordinate inputs from the full range of external and internal stakeholders to synthesize compelling proposals and work plans. His success in leading large, complex business development campaigns is highly regarded.
Dean earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Brown University and holds a PhD degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Leicester (England). He is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and is the recipient of the AIAA’s Sustained Service Award and Sir Arthur Clarke Award for Space Achievement. He has authored fifteen publications in the field of aerospace systems and materials R&D and has trained hundreds of industry professionals around the world in effective opportunity pipeline management and complex proposal preparation.
Dean and his wife reside in Georgia. Dean is a USA Rugby certified referee and World Rugby certified referee coach. He remains an active rugby referee at the school, university, and club levels following an amateur playing career spanning four decades.
Gary G. Shuster
Senior Consultant
Gary Shuster is a highly accomplished and results-oriented professional specializing in program and contract management in the Aerospace and Defense industry. He has worked for Fortune 500 OEMs companies, including Raytheon, Sikorsky, Kaman Aerospace, and Colt’s Manufacturing. With extensive experience overseeing procurement, development, integration, testing, and manufacturing projects for electronic, electro-mechanical, and mechanical components and systems, he is recognized as a trusted expert in his field.
Gary's expertise in contract and program management allows him to effectively manage costs, schedules, and requirements while ensuring compliance with industry standards. As a Program Manager for advanced commercial engine programs and US Government and International Programs, he demonstrated exceptional leadership and coordination skills.
Gary holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Hartford and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Connecticut. He actively participates in professional organizations such as the Project Management Institute and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
Gary and his wife live in Connecticut and spend much of their time with their three children, while during the warmer months they are on Lake George in upstate New York enjoying their time on their boat. When he is not golfing or skiing, Gary spends his time as an officer (Secretary) of his social club and coordinating a card league.
Scott D. Welsby
Senior Consultant
Scott D. Welsby is a multi-dimensional mechanical engineer known for his exceptional ability in leading teams toward the development of innovative and practical product solutions. With a "can-do" attitude, Scott employs a collaborative "jobs-to-be-done" approach with a proven record developing custom-engineered mechanical and electro-mechanical products, which has been instrumental in driving successful innovations across various industries.
Throughout his career, Scott has contributed significantly to new product development in diverse sectors such as space technology, subsea oil and gas exploration, cleanroom environments, aerospace, defense systems, industrial sectors, and consumer applications. His notable roles include serving as the Director of Engineering for Kaman Aerospace's Measuring and Memory Systems division, playing a pivotal role at Allegion (formerly Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies), and making significant contributions at Lion Precision. His leadership and management skills are evident in his ability to mentor and coach teams, including those that are globally located, and in his talent for business development and program management.
Scott earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University and holds a Design for Six-Sigma Greenbelt Certification. He has authored and presented numerous technical papers at international conferences, co-authored a sensor technology handbook chapter, and is inventor of six US Patents.
Scott and his wife reside in Colorado and enjoy spending time with their two children and three grandchildren, who he is teaching the art of lake fishing – stream flyfishing comes next. He is passionate about outdoor activities including road and mountain bicycling, hiking, and fitness with his wife. He is a road bicycle ride leader and annually rides several century rides traversing timberline and the continental divide through the Colorado mountains. He participates in the annual St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital charity fundraising ride.
Dean Sperry
Senior Consultant
Dean brings over thirty years of experience in B2B product management, finance, and marketing, specializing in identifying and seizing new market opportunities across various industries, from startups in medical, legal, and publishing sectors to Fortune 100 Enterprises in financial services, communications, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and more. In 2014, he founded In-Starting, LCC, dedicated to helping established enterprises innovate. Now, Dean brings the In-Starting Lean Product Management (LPM) Framework to Hoagland Management Services, offering a proven methodology for swiftly advancing innovations to gain competitive advantages. LPM excels in situations with high uncertainty, where small, rapid investments mitigate risks and enhance outcomes.
Dean holds a BA in economics from St. Lawrence University and a Master of Science degree in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Dean resides in Windsor, CT, with his wife, Jane, a fourth-generation primary care physician. They pioneered the Direct Primary Care model in CT and enjoy active vacations in the outdoors with their three daughters and growing number of grandchildren.
Nat Kuppuraj
Senior Consultant
Nat Kuppuraj brings over three decades of expertise in the multinational manufacturing industry having worked for Fortune 500 companies such as Northrop Grumman, Kaman Aerospace, Gerber Scientific, Barmag AG, PT Texmaco, and Caterpillar. Throughout his career, Nat has honed his skills in new product development, design for manufacturability and assembly (DFM/A), global supply chain management, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, and continuous improvement strategies.
With a proven track record of optimizing production processes, ensuring quality standards, and driving operational efficiency on a global scale, Nat is proficient in managing complex supply chains, overseeing worldwide procurement for timely delivery of materials, and leveraging technology solutions for manufacturing automation, data analytics, and Industry 4.0 initiatives. His experience includes participating in industry assessments supporting merger and acquisition activities and leading diverse cross-functional teams across multiple locations, fostering collaboration, and driving a culture of excellence.
Nat holds a Master’s in Project and Program Management from Brandeis University, USA, an MBA from PSG Institute of Management, India, and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Madras, India. He is also a Six Sigma Green Belt certificate holder from The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Nat and his wife reside in Connecticut, where he enjoys immersing himself in travel experiences that expose him to diverse cultures. Actively involved in local fundraisers for charities and dedicated to public service, Nat serves as a Board of Finance member in the local town council, advocating for necessary infrastructure improvements and initiatives for the community's overall betterment.