Deep Knowledge and Domain Experience
The vdR Group, Inc.
Over the last three decades, The vdR Group has emerged as a leading engineering, manufacturing, and AEC solutions provider with a focus on driving digital transformation through Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Enterprise Content Management (ECM) technologies. We do this via a consultative and solutions-based approach that includes strategic consulting, end-to-end implementations and application integrations. The Group has helped 100s of companies ranging from Global Fortune 500 manufactures to cutting-edge start-ups. Today, over 220,000 global users leverage vdR’s solutions.
Fast Facts
- Founded January 1986 and Privately Held
- Engineering, manufacturing, and AEC software solutions
- Key partners include Aras, Autodesk, and OpenText
- Over 220,000 users of vdR developed technologies
- Headquartered in Southern California
- Over 25 employees with several celebrating more than 15 years
The Leadership Team
Martin van der Roest - President
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Martin has over 3 decades of experience in the systems and software development business. A majority of this time has been spent in the product lifecycle management (PLM) space with a specific focus on solutions for engineering and manufacturing organizations.
He has participated at all levels of the business including product development, implementation, and consulting. He has written for almost every industry magazine on the market and has been a regular speaker at several industry conferences. Today, Martin works closely with partners and other entrepreneurs in identifying and bringing to market value-add solutions.
Prior to founding vdR in 1986, Martin spent several years in the defense industry. This included time with the Department of Defense and Hughes Aircraft Company. While at Hughes, he was selected as a “Hughes Fellow”. His academic background includes a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University at Fullerton and the University of Southern California (USC) respectively.
Louis Salgado - Vice President and General Manager
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Louis is responsible for all operational aspects of vdR’s business which includes product development, support and services. He has been with vdR for over 25 years and has been involved in all areas of the business ranging from product sales and marketing, implementation and consulting.
Prior to joining vdR, Louis spent several years in the area of business computer systems sales.
He graduated from Cal State University, Long Beach with a B.A. in Business with an emphasis in Business Computer Methods. Additionally he has completed course work for an MBA at Chapman University.
Jim Dodds - Professional Services Director
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Jim is the Manager of Professional Services for vdR. He joined vdR in 2006 and brings with him nearly 20 years of managerial experience from various industries including architecture, facilities management, and customer relationship management.
Jim has extensive experience establishing, developing and operating professional services delivery processes related to both off-the-shelf and custom enterprise management apps.
Prior to joining vdR, Jim worked as a senior business analyst in the customer relationship management field and was Vice President of a technical consulting firm specializing in enterprise Computer Aided Facilities Management system deployments and implementations.
Complementing his professional experience, Jim also served as an adjunct professor at Woodbury University teaching Computer Aided Facilities Management. He received his MBA with an emphasis in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Facilities Planning and Management from the school of Architecture and Design from Woodbury University.
"On the partner side of things, we work closely with the business development and sales teams and provide domain expertise and proposal development support."
Hiep Tran - Solution Architect Director
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Hiep is responsible for leading and architecting the development of all vdR’s various solutions. He has diverse experience ranging from product development for commercial use as well as custom software development to meet unique customer requirements.
Since joining the group in 1989, he has developed significant experience in engineering, manufacturing, and the AEC industry. Hiep works extensively with enterprise search, enterprise content management (ECM), product data management (PDM), product lifecycle management (PLM), and CAD integration solutions. He has a broad knowledge of configuration management, development technologies, standards and techniques, and software development processes.
He graduated with high honors from the University of Kentucky with dual master’s degrees in Computer Science and Operations Research, and from Bryan College in Tennessee with a bachelor’s in Mathematics.
"The success of an effort is measured not just on how well a solution is deployed but how well the solution is adopted by the user."
Ben Desmarais - Technical Services Manager
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Ben is responsible for product quality and testing, documentation, release controls, training and customer support. He also provides his technical expertise on many of vdR’s products and professional services projects.
Since joining vdR in 1995, Ben has been involved in all levels of product development, implementation, consulting, and product/implementation support. With more than 17 years of industry experience, Ben brings extensive experience on various product data/lifecycle management (PDM/PLM), enterprise content management (ECM), and CAD products to vdR.
Prior to his current role, Ben served as Implementation Specialist at vdR, where he was involved in many of the Group’s PDM/PLM, ECM, and CAD Integration implementation projects.
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Lloyd Rogers - Business Development Director
Lloyd is the newest addition to the vdR team and is focused on extending the value of product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions into the automotive supplier space. Lloyd brings over 30 years of automotive industry experience to vdR, including leadership positions in engineering, program management, sales and operations.
Prior to joining vdR, Lloyd served as the Director of Global Sales at Key Safety Systems and the Chrysler Sales Director at Inteva Products. Prior this this, he held various program management roles responsible for instrument panels, cockpits, doors, overhead systems, and interior components.
Lloyd is PMP and CMII certified as a Program Manager and has developed extensive experience in the Kepner Tregoe problem solving techniques and approach.
Dick Bourke - Senior Advisor
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As a senior advisor to The vdR Group, Dick helps guide the strategic direction of the company. For this role, he brings over forty sixty years of broad consulting experience in the areas of ERP, Configuration Management, and PLM as well as prior industry experience.
Before establishing his consulting practice in early 1970, he held management responsibilities in divisions of Textron (material) and Carrier (IT) and was with IBM in sales and systems.
In addition to consulting, his firm Bourke Consulting Associates developed educational material for end users and software-specific training and white papers for application vendors.
Throughout his career, Dick has been a prolific writer and longtime contributor to various industry journals such as the 2PDM Newsletter and Engineering.com. He has been a frequent presenter at numerous industry forums, including APICS National Conferences.
Notable publications include his 1975 book on Bills of Material, the first modern guide to managing this key building block. APICS cited his book as a “classic in the field.” His knack for making technical concepts accessible and applicable is widely respected. With this experience, he is the editor of vdR’s Practical PLM Newsletter and blogs.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and MBA, both from UCLA.
