Pilot for
turbulent projects

You need a WHO if you don't know HOW:

I am Thomas Mc Kie …

Program and project manager, graduate aerospace engineer (univ.) from the Technical University of Munich, Army Aviation Corps officer, helicopter pilot, gyrocopter pilot, certified drone pilot with EASA operator registration, graduate of the National Test Pilot School Operational Test and Evaluation Course (operational test in military aviation), regional league handball referee, Certified Remote Agile Master, TÜV Quality Management Specialist (QMF TÜV), Non-Conformance Manager, FMEA practitioner, cyber security and phishing and social engineering defense expert, experienced in intercultural cooperation, conflict management professional, SolidWorks expertise, MS project specialist, Jira and proAlpha expert, PM Forum keynote speaker, Upcoming: AI strategy consultant, EN 9100 and ISO 9001 certified

Furthermore, I am the

Success course navigator, project transformer, goal accelerator, turbulence tamer, process pioneer, vision creator, change process initiator, comfort zone shaper, challenge initiator, action taker, vision giver, blockade overcomer, problem solver.

And not to forget ...

And not to forget:

Humorous person, sports enthusiast, competitive adventurer, long-time regional league handball goalkeeper, politically interested former local councillor, VR enthusiast, Bob Ross painter (with certificate, brush and happy little trees), computer player, last but not least husband and father of four children
and unshakable optimist – so much so that it sometimes annoys my wife 😉.

MC Kie stands for

Mastering the mission, reaching milestones.

Clustering chaos, catching opportunities.

Clarify crises, create clarity.

Initiating innovations, inspiring impulses.

Develop efficiency, achieve success.

"Houston? No problem!"

44 good reasons for working with me:

Because you don't want to shout "Houston?" again for your project - but "Mission accomplished".
Because as a program and project manager, I make sure that you can.
Because you want a boost instead of a standstill.
Because I get projects on track with systems thinking, strategy and playfulness.
Because you know that good leadership never takes off, even in the air.
Because I keep my nerve in the turbulent trio of time, budget and quality.
Because my risk management uncovers opportunities instead of managing problems.
Because I decouple complexity - and turn it into clarity, direction and continuity.
Because I recognize problems faster than you can shout "Mayday".
Because I analyze and adjust in the projector orbit with a satellite camera view.
Because as an ex-officer I know that proactive leadership is the best protection against emergencies.

Because I'm not only ready to go, I've also engaged the turbocharger.
Because I speak in plain language instead of spouting technical jargon.
Because I navigate the project with precision to target coordinates.
Because I am the perfect mix of cockpit coolness, technical depth and people magnet.
Because I immediately switch to communication boost when there is unwanted radio silence.
Because I know the direction even when flying blind thanks to experience, instinct and my inner radar.
Because I know when a project needs a boost - and when the brakes are better.
Because I don't promise hot air - but measurable milestones.
Because I take responsibility where others just wait and see.
Because I bring clarity to chaos - and create opportunities from it.
Because I fly stable even in turbulence.

Because I have an eye for the big picture - and a feel for every little screw.
Because I can immediately identify engine problems with a health check.
Because I use the master plan to outline the perfect project flight route.
Because as a handball referee I have clever ideas for solutions.
Because I have a sense of humor in stressful situations - because if you laugh, you remain capable of acting.
Because I never lose my grip on the ground - even when the going gets tough.
Because I take projects to new heights without wasting fuel.
Because with my referee mentality, I also manage hot phases fairly.
Because I go the extra mile or fly the extra mile.
Because my book is a galactic stroke of genius: a turbo full of depth, tactics and dry wit.
Because I'm a pilot - but your project will never blow up in your face with my situational awareness.

Because even in complete radio silence, I'm still on reception - with an antenna for nuances and team dynamics.
Because I know that the best course is not always the straight one - but always the clear one.
Because I don't take off, I keep going - with humanity, feasibility and mission at heart.
Because I work with heart, brain and hands-on mentality and act where others hesitate.
Because you'd prefer to use plain text instead of being jammed.
Because you don't want another PowerPoint, you want power. Period.
Because you see a project emergency landing - and I'm preparing a relaunch.
Because you're already blinking "SOS" inside - and I've long been sitting in the cockpit.
Because you want to go back to sleep at night - instead of counting deadlines.
Because you are looking for someone who understands technology - and reaches people at the same time.
Last but not least: Because you're still reading!

Skills

Complex projects? Tight deadlines? Crisis management?

Exactly my terrain!

As a program and project manager, I am the guide who leads your projects safely through project wilderness, stakeholder storms and deadline thunderstorms – with strategic clarity and a firm course that is always geared towards success.

As an engineer, I am the technical tinkerer who solves every problem together with the project team and ensures that everything runs smoothly through precise fine-tuning – even with the most complex challenges.

As an officer, responsibility is not just a word for me – it is my mission. In crisis situations, I take the lead and make decisions with courage and determination. Where others hesitate, I continue – always with the goal in mind and the clarity that the team needs in turbulent times.

As a pilot, I have a firm grip on the wheel – even when there are dark clouds in the sky. Even in the worst turbulence, I keep an overview and steer the project safely to its destination. Where others lose their bearings, I have the solutions on my radar and find the right path – quickly and purposefully.

As a handball referee, I make decisions at lightning speed and keep a cool head even in heated situations – while hundreds of pairs of eyes are focused on me. With a sure instinct and a clear eye for the rules, pace of play and fairness, as a neutral referee I ensure that the game remains fluid, fair and dynamic. In short: I bring order to the chaos and keep the game running!

My expertise - your benefit

My credo:

Not making a decision is the worst choice of all possible decisions.

Management experience in over 50 projects since 2011

Program and project management

Freelance interim head of the project management department
Organizational restructuring projects
System development projects for special machine construction and test systems in the aerospace and automotive industries
Aerospace hardware test projects
Design and product development projects

Decision-making ability

Clear and transparent decision-making within the scope of the delegated decision-making powers
Preparation of the decision of higher management levels
Supporting team members in professional decision-making, if necessary also guiding them through the decision-making process until the decision is made

Guidance

Disciplinary management of directly subordinate employees
Professional management of internal and external team members
Further development and coaching of the relevant stakeholders with regard to the relevant processes and the directly subordinate employees in general

Responsibility

Responsible for total program/project volume in the mid double-digit million range
Team sizes for individual projects up to 20 employees and more
Budget, time and resource planning
Selecting and coordinating the project teams and ensuring functioning interfaces
Transparent and timely escalation when possible solutions to challenges have been exhausted by the project team or are insufficient
Implementation of lessons learned in daily project work
Early identification of opportunities and risks and derivation of corrective measures
Quotation preparation
Supplier management
Observance and implementation of customer and industry-specific standards (ISO 9001, ISO 9100, ECSS, MilStd, purity requirements, …) in the project

Communication and documentation

Internal and external communication with stakeholders
Intercultural management of all project participants
Crystal clear documentation
First-class reporting
Overview of the project status (quality, time, costs) at all times
Creation of the project management manual and monitoring of the standards for project processing
Establishing an effective and targeted meeting culture in the project
Ensuring and improving communication within distributed teams

Study

Graduate engineer in aerospace

Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich

Further training

Operational Test and Evaluation Course – Aerospace flight testing (National Test Pilot School, USA)
Certified Remote Agile Master – Methodology of leadership and collaboration at a distance
Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)
Quality Management Specialist (QMF-TÜV)
Managing without authority
Mindful and healthy leadership of (project) teams
NCR management in the space sector
Program Management (based on PMI Standard 3rd edition)
Shaping collaboration effectively
BWL – Basic knowledge of business administration
Intercultural Workshop
Project management (internal company certificate)
Conflict management – dealing constructively with conflicts

Pilot for turbulent projects