Hakan Eksi

Background

About Hakan Eksi

As a people-oriented engineering executive, I’ve centered my leadership style around trust, transparency, and teamwork. When these principles are at the heart of an organization, they create a foundation for sustained growth, operational excellence, and innovation. By empowering teams and fostering an environment of open communication, I enhance productivity and drive a collaborative culture where creativity and diverse ideas thrive. My leadership approach is grounded in a belief that strong teams are the key to navigating complex engineering and business challenges. I prioritize building relationships with my teams, aligning individual and collective goals, and ensuring that everyone feels invested in the mission. I believe in leading by example, which includes maintaining a hands-on approach to demonstrate that every member of the team is integral to our success. With over 25 years of experience across product management, strategic planning, and financial optimization, I have a proven track record of steering Fortune 500 organizations through intricate operational and technological transitions. In my recent role as General Manager at Progress Rail, I executed P&L management for a ~$100M business unit, overseeing nearly 100 employees across two locations. One of my proudest accomplishments has been improving Progress Rail’s safety performance from one recordable incident per month to less than one per year. This change was driven not only by improved processes but also a deep investment in employee engagement and positive word-of-mouth, which enhanced recruitment and retention. Additionally, I champion automation investments across production lines, quality labs, and machine shops to bridge talent gaps and modernize production processes. These technological advancements are critical in preventing productivity setbacks while improving both product quality and throughput. My belief in continuous improvement drives me to pursue innovative solutions that optimize efficiency and deliver long-term growth. Currently, I’m seeking my next leadership role in the rail industry, where I can continue to leverage my experience in engineering, operations, and strategic planning to foster growth, innovation, and operational excellence.