M4 Sciences

M4 Sciences was founded by James Mann and Brian Gootee in 2005 to further develop and commercialize advanced technologies in ultra-precision machining. The TriboMAM™ product emerged at M4 Sciences from research at Purdue University.

James is co-founder of M4 Sciences and responsible for business vision, strategy and technology management.

Before the foundation of M4 Sciences in 2005, James had been engaged in academic and industrial research at Purdue University in manufacturing with emphasis on ultra-precision machining, nanostructured materials manufacturing and process engineering. He has been responsible for project management and technology development support within the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and, as a co-principal investigator, he has supported several active projects at the Purdue University Center for Materials Processing and Tribology and the Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

James has held industry leadership roles in operations and engineering management in aerospace, automotive, and contract manufacturing businesses. His background includes precision machining, missile and solid rocket design, manufacturing and assembly, aircraft assembly and maintenance, fuel systems manufacturing and assembly, and diesel engine manufacturing and assembly. Other previous employments include: Vice President, Engineering, Showers Group, Inc., Bloomington, Indiana (2001–2004); Business Unit Manager, 6σBlackBelt, Cummins, Inc., Columbus, Indiana (1999–2001); Senior Engineer, United Airlines, Indianapolis Maintenance Center, Indianapolis, Indiana (1998–1999); Technical Specialist, Cummins, Inc. Fuel Systems Business, Columbus, Indiana (1992–1998); and Associate Engineer, Thiokol Corporation, Composites Group, Ogden, Utah (1990–1992).

Mr. Mann has authored several technical and trade publications and directed related conferences. In addition, he is the inventor of M4 Sciences TriboMAM™ product and lead author on several patent applications related to M4 Sciences technologies. He is a "Six-Sigma Black Belt" with professional certification in quality management. James received a BSAAE, Purdue University 1990, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics; MSE, Purdue University 1994, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics; and MBA Finance, Indiana University 1998, Kelley School of Business. Also, he is currently completing a PhD at Purdue University, School of Industrial Engineering.

Prior to joining M4 Sciences on a full time basis in 2008, Jeff held a wide range of staff and line roles with the Timken Company and Caterpillar, including Plant Manager and Director of Operations for Timken’s automotive needle bearing facility in Wuxi, China. While in China, Jeff launched the first needle bearing automotive export program to North America and dramatically grew exports to Korea.

Before his move to China, Jeff held the position of Manager Operations Strategy and Decision Support at the Timken Company, where he was responsible for the management and execution of global automotive needle bearing operations strategy. In this role, he developed and led the global rationalization of needle bearing manufacturing capacity. This included consolidation of manufacturing in North America, rationalization of capacity in Western and Central Europe and development of growth plans for Asian needle bearing operations. While at Timken Jeff also launched a major automotive program as a Line Manager in Automotive Package Bearings and was responsible new technology and Asian automotive programs as Program Manager, Global Automotive Program Management.

Jeff has also held a variety of roles from finance through manufacturing research and development, including Investment Banking Associate, Global Industrial Group, with Lehman Brothers, Operations Team Leader for the Caterpillar Technical Center machine shop, Project Manager/Research Engineer at the Caterpillar Technical Center, and Research Engineer/Research Assistant at Purdue University.

Mr. Bougher holds an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management as well as a Master of Engineering Management from the McCormick School of Engineering. Additionally, he received a BSAAE and MSAAE from Purdue’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Before establishing M4 Sciences, Brian’s background included extensive experience in personnel and business management, marketing and product development, purchasing, logistics and computer integrated systems. Brian is President and owner of Gray Goat Sports, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, a commercial/retail business in cyclery and fitness equipment. He has more than fifteen years experience in sales management and business operations, including the following employments: Service Director, Gilles Fitness, for state of Indiana (3/01-8/04); Computer Support Administrator, Gilles Fitness, Indianapolis, Indiana (5/98-8/04); Operations Manager/ Buyer, Gilles Fitness, Indianapolis, Indiana (5/98-3/01); and General Manager; The Cyclery, St. Louis, Missouri (5/92-5/98).

Brian co-founded M4 Sciences and is responsible for strategic operations, and information technology. He is a graduate of the University of Indianapolis (BA in Business, 2003) and has been an invited lecturer for various business courses at U of I.