Michael Naughton

Director of Product Management, Nielsen-Kellerman

Representing corporate partner Kestrel

Michael is currently the Director of Product Management, helping NK to define the right product for the right market at the right price. Since joining NK 20 years ago, Michael has worked in almost every department, starting as an assembler, then wearing titles of Assistant Production Manager, Sales Manager and Director of Engineering. Michael is an early adopter of lean product development and has been a presenter at several conferences on the topic. This more disciplined process, which emphasizes rapid learning cycles and closing knowledge gaps early, has decreased the time it takes to get NK’s products to market, helping us to continue to innovate in each of our niche markets.

Raised in Philadelphia, Michael started his rowing career at La Salle College High School, and continued to row at the University of Miami while earning his degree in Mechanical Engineering. He took up sculling while pursuing his Master’s degree in Naval Architecture/Ocean Engineering at University of California at Berkeley. After graduation, he returned to Philadelphia to continue sculling at Undine Barge Club. His part-time job at NK to fill the time between practices wound up becoming his passionate career, and he still coaches three mornings a week at Undine – another example of NK truly standing in the shoes of our customers.