Management Team
President
Jerry O’Connor
Jerry brings over thirty years of purchasing and materials management experience to Group Seven. As a graduate of California State University at Sacramento, Jerry started his career in purchasing and logistics positions in the services industry. Jerry’s experience ranges from purchasing in heavy industry at Owens Corning Fiberglas to purchasing, materials, master scheduling and operations management at several Silicon Valley electronics firms, including hard disk drive manufacturer Priam Corporation and startup RF Communications at Rose Communications. His previous position was serving as Vice President of Operations at Reliable Power Meters, a test instrumentation company, where he was a key member of the management team that grew the company from startup to its sale to Fluke Corporation. As a former customer of Group Seven at RPM, Jerry brings the customer perspective and focus to the company.
Vice President Sales
Paul Belknap
Paul has been active in the Bay Area and West Coast markets for electronic components, fabricated parts, and assembly services since 1985. After eight years of direct sales of PCBs and several years as a manufacturer’s representative for electronic components and assembly services, he joined Flash Electronics (now AsteelFlash) as Director of Sales. After four years, he moved to Celestica in 2000 as a Regional Sales Manager and then became the Western Regional Business Development Manager. In 2004, he joined Pacific Circuit Assembly as Vice President of Business Development. Because he has specialized in the high mix, low volume manufacturing market since leaving Celestica, Paul has the background to develop comprehensive materials and manufacturing solutions for our customers’ special requirements in a complex and competitive market. http://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbelknapmfgservices
Materials Manager
Mark Poparad
Mark has over twenty-five years of management experience in all functions, systems and departments of material control and purchasing, including ten years with Ultra-Systems Defense and Space as the Materials Manager, two years in purchasing and inventory management at Dyna Mechtronics, and ten years with Applied Signal Technology as the Planning/Inventory Manager and program management responsibilities for company products built to stock. Mark has been with Group Seven for over ten years.
Operations Manager
Erin Ryan
Erin has been with Group Seven for over seven years, first as a Program Manager and currently as the Operations Manager. She is responsible for the company’s financial operations, as well as program management for several customers and continued implementation and maintenance of the company’s ISO 9001 Quality Management System. Erin has previous experience in marketing, administration, and finance at Reliable Power Meters. She received her BA from UC Davis and her MBA from the Lorry I. Lokey Graduate School of Business at Mills College.
Program Manager
Leo Candelaria
Leo has over twenty years’ experience in the electronics and electro-mechanical industries. He began his career at Chaparral Communications, where he worked in assembly, materials, inventory control, production planning and engineering support for ten years. Leo then moved on to Reliable Power Meters working in technical support and in purchasing for five years. Leo has been with Group Seven for over six years as a Program Manager and Buyer.
Program Manager
Vicki Hewett
Vicki has over sixteen years’ experience in purchasing. She began her career in the purchasing department at Thermawave and quickly worked her way up to Buyer. After four years with Thermawave, she spent four years at Minerva Networks, a telecommunications company, as a Buyer. Vicki has been with Group Seven for over seven years as a Senior Buyer and Program Manager. Her love of learning, attention to detail, and her keen purchasing skills are a huge asset to the company.
