Timothy M. Hicks

Senior Director

Mr. Hicks consults in the areas of failure analysis, accident investigation and reconstruction, design review and evaluation, vehicle dynamics, patent protection, and product testing.  His specific areas of expertise included engineering mechanics, vehicle dynamics and performance, mechanical systems, manufacturing processes, and metal fabrication.  Mr. Hicks manages projects in a broad range of vehicles including automobiles, SUV’s, commercial trucks, RV’s, trains, buses and coaches.

Mr. Hicks joined Packer Engineering in 2010.  Prior to joining Packer Engineering, Mr. Hicks was the Director of Engineering for a major motor coach manufacturer based in the Chicago area.  He led a team of engineers bringing new product initiatives to market quicker while reducing costs.  He was also a Sr. Engineering Manager for a truck suspension system supplier, leading a large team of product development engineers. Prior to relocating to Chicago, Mr. Hicks spent 17 years in the automotive industry with GM and also a Tier 1 supplier, in various product development, and program management roles.  After getting his undergraduate degree, he started his career with a small machine design company as a design engineer.

During his extensive product development background with various manufacturers, Mr. Hicks has been involved in numerous product and vehicle verification tests.  Specific systems that he has experience with include suspension and steering, brakes and wheel ends, axles, drivetrain, powertrain, structural, fuel, exhaust, and dynamic performance.  He also has solid experience with manufacturing processes that include welding, metal forming and fabrication, sub-assembly and final vehicle assembly.  His strong manufacturing and product expertise greatly enhances his consulting contributions to his projects with real and easily understood results.

He is an active member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and regular participates in both the Automotive and Commercial Vehicle Congresses.