Experience
The senior regulatory authority on first-of-a-kind programs.
20+ years delivering advanced vehicle platforms to global markets, at start-ups and legacy OEMs. I translate complex technical systems (AV architecture, functional safety, x-by-wire) for regulatory, legislative and executive audiences, and I've drafted regulatory language and negotiated it with contracting governments and industry coalitions at UN WP.29.
Key results
What the record shows.
- Achieved the world's first FMVSS self-certification for an X-By-Wire Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV)
- Negotiated direct regulatory language adopted into UN ECE standards, representing industry positions at UN WP.29
- Defined the global compliance strategy for the Rivian R1 and Amazon EDV programs across multiple international markets
- Delivered the concurrent global launch of the revived Indian Motorcycle brand, a first for Polaris Industries
- Established Indian Motorcycle as a stand-alone entity within the Polaris portfolio
- Led Harley-Davidson CVO 103B and 110ci Twin Cam engine families through full validation and global certification
Career
From engine families to x-by-wire SDVs.
R.Jinks Consulting LLC
- Supporting mobility start-ups and new entrants through the global compliance landscape, from concept through certification
- Prepared US and Canadian market entry and regulatory gap analysis reports for Chinese-sourced PEV and EV projects
- Services range from product certification strategy to fractional leadership support for developing start-up efforts
REE Automotive
- Held budget responsibility for Government and Regulatory Affairs, reporting directly to the COO
- Architected the global safety and regulatory compliance strategy for next-generation x-by-wire SDV platforms
- Designed compliance governance frameworks, policies, procedures and documentation systems with traceable linkage between requirements, test execution and certification evidence
- Served as senior escalation authority for safety and validation risks, and coordinated with third-party testing agencies and certification bodies to generate robust compliance evidence
- Established manufacturing compliance infrastructure including trade resources, materials management, and state and federal licensing
Ideanomics, Inc.
- Led global regulatory compliance strategy across a diverse portfolio of consumer and commercial electric mobility products
- Acted as technical authority on safety and certification risk, advising the C-suite on compliance posture and product readiness
- Guided product development framework adoption across subsidiary companies within the portfolio
Electric Last Mile Solutions
- Directed certification and compliance for consumer EV products under aggressive launch timelines
- Implemented a risk-based validation strategy and structured documentation processes to support regulatory submission
Rivian Automotive
- Defined the multi-market compliance strategy for the R1T, R1S and Amazon EDV programs
- Established regulatory requirements frameworks and the safety validation approach across global markets
Polaris Industries
- Chaired the IMMA Brakes Working Group, leading multi-stakeholder negotiations with industry parties and contracting governments at UN WP.29 in Geneva to shape binding international safety standards
- Drafted regulatory and technical standards language adopted into international rulemaking, building coalitions across OEM, supplier and government stakeholders
- Engaged directly with U.S. EPA and CARB to drive industry priorities and support advanced rulemaking
- Certification lead for the Indian Motorcycle brand relaunch and Victory Motorcycles brand
Harley-Davidson Motor Co.
- Led powertrain development, validation and chassis integration, including emissions, performance and NVH
- Coordinated annual certification and homologation efforts across all CVO platform teams
Agencies, standards & policy
Where the work gets done.
Agency experience
- U.S. NHTSA
- U.S. EPA
- CARB
- EU / EC
- UN ECE WP.29
- China CCC
- Japan JASIC
- India
- Brazil
Standards & frameworks
- ISO 26262
- ISO/SAE 21434
- ISO 24089
- UN R155
- V-Model
- APQP
- DFMEA · FMEA · HARA
- IMDS
Industry & regulatory policy
- AVERE
- IMMA
- ACEM
- USMMA
- MIC
- MMIC
- COHV
- SAE Motorcycle Technical Committee
How an engagement works
Begin with the end in mind.
Every engagement starts with a written proposal built around your objectives, with defined deliverables and timelines, and clear and consistent communication as we proceed.
Understand your objective
Your program, product and target markets, and what has to be true at launch, by regime: NHTSA, EPA, CARB and beyond.
Recommend the approach
The research and activities needed to reach the objective, sequenced against your program timeline.
Agree what I need from you
One point of contact with authority to answer technical questions and approve deliverables, plus model, specification and VIN structure information.
Set the sequence and timing
Steps, content and estimated durations, with planning estimates that depend on your data and supplier lead times.
Fees that follow the program
A monthly retainer with included hours, additional time billed hourly, and pre-approved travel at cost. The retainer gives you flexibility to follow the program flow.
Clear scope boundaries
Roles, responsibilities, confidentiality and intellectual property are written into the proposal before work begins.
- Design engineering, CAD work, component selection, or physical modification of the vehicle
- Execution of physical testing. Testing is performed by qualified laboratories under contract to you; I can specify, source and oversee test work as needed
- Legal representation, legal opinions, or signing and submitting regulatory filings on your behalf, except where you grant and document specific authority
Education
Trained as an engineer, sharpened in program leadership.
Western Washington University
Bachelor of Science, Industrial Technology
Vehicle Research Institute, Bellingham, WA
- Vehicle Design Specialization
- Magna Cum Laude
- Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
- Golden Key International Honor Society
- 1999 NESEA American Tour de Sol
SAE International and Oakland University
Automotive Product Development Management Certificate, offered jointly by SAE International and the Oakland University School of Business Administration.
- Managing Integrated Product Development
- Program and Risk Management
- Collaborative Supply Chain Integration
- Leading High-Performance Teams
- Cost Planning and Improvement
Ready to talk about your program?
Start with a no-obligation conversation about where you are and where you're headed.