Consulting Team Alliances

Robert Hirneisen

Bob Hirneisen is the COO of Minerich, Inc. www.minerich.net .He is an expert in operational excellence, lean manufacturing, and supply chain management with over 19 years of extensive manufacturing, training, management consulting, and project management experience. Bob has held a number of engineering and management positions, at manager and director levels (including vice president of operations and interim president), leading these companies to significant improvements in operations, productivity, efficiency, and cost savings. As a Minerich consultant he teaches and consults in lean manufacturing, operations planning, and Class A Business Excellence.

Bob has experience in a variety of industries as a consultant and a practitioner, including electronics, construction equipment, electrical power generation, and pharmaceuticals. His client companies have included Abbott Labs, A & M Aerospace, American Augers (Division of Astec Industries), Carmine Industries, Caterpillar, Dade Behring, International Flavors & Fragrances, Research in Motion and Westinghouse Electric. He actively participates in APICS and the Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME) and has been a featured speaker at SME’s international conference.

Bob received his BS in Computer Aided Manufacturing from Eastern Michigan University and is pursuing graduate studies in business and computer science at Colorado State University. He has also completed Best in Practice training at General Electric, Lean Manufacturing Instructor Certification and Six Sigma Training at Motorola University.

Karen Trisko

Karen Trisko, President of Leading Excellence. www.leadingexcellence.com . Karen has extensive, hands-on expertise in every aspect of organizational performance excellence. She has led companies in the private sector, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations to achieve great results through continuous improvement practices. She has guided organizations to earn Baldrige-based awards and successfully integrate the practices and values of performance excellence into their daily practices. Her specialties include leadership systems, strategic planning, organizational performance measurement using the Balanced Scorecard and other methods, process management / improvement, and Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence usage and application development.

Karen has served as Baldrige National Quality Award Senior Examiner (2001, 2003, 2004, and 2005) and Examiner (2000). She served since 1993 in California's Baldrige Award program in the roles of Award Program Chair, Judge, Senior Examiner (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2002), Examiner (1993), and Trainer (1995 - 2004). She is past Chair of the Sterling Council for Performance Excellence and currently chairs the California Council for Excellence Consultants and Trainers Council.

Since 2004 she has been Leadership & Culture Practice Leader for the Aerospace and Defense Industry's Supplier Excellence Alliance, providing strategic planning, leadership, measurement, and process improvement systems for this vast industry group. Experienced in the use of numerous assessments, improvement models, and training programs, she has a wealth of resources to help clients identify strengths and improvement opportunities within their organizations and close the performance gaps. With access to hundreds of verified best practice examples, she can recommend innovative solutions to help clients achieve excellence without having to "re=invent the wheel."

Karen is the recipient of the 2003 Distinguished Service Award from the California Council for Excellence, Karen received a B.S. degree in Organizational Psychology, an M.A. in Organizational Communications, and an M.B.A degree.

Karen's publications include:

• Off the Chart Results, 2003 Insight Publishing
• The Power of Integrity, May 2001 Executive Excellence
• Best Practices Case Studies Series, 1994-1999, Center for Continuous Improvement Technologies
• Developing Successful Programs: a Handbook for Program Planners 1978, Awareness House
• Expressway to Excellence, e-newsletter

Karen developed many training manuals, assessments, surveys, and tools for use by her clients and certified consultants.

Woman-Own Business

Dr. Jay Billings

Dr. Jay is Vice President of Defense Systems Management Corporation. A HUBZone certified Small Woman Owned Business that provides consulting in system administration and financial management, systems management, training development and training presentation. Areas of concentration include: defense systems acquisition in all life cycle phases, project management, contract management from both buyer and seller perspectives, organizational development, use of ISO 9000 and ISO 14000.

Program Managemnt Practice: Dr. Jay has been providing support to NASA Stennis in area of grant management. He developed a grant management methodology that measures performance and increases value of grant outputs in areas of outreach and technology transfer.

• Provides support to NASA Marshall in area of systems engineering, scenario analysis and decision support for the Next Generation Launch Technology.
• Participated in Systems Engineering and Integration Management Action Panel (SEIMAP) to apply evolutionary acquisition processed to ARES I project.
• Provides support to U S Army Project Management Offices in the areas of acquisition streamlining and reform, logistics support, treaty compliance, and project management.

Clients include:

• TRICARE- performance based acquisitions
• M ADCCS- Integrated Baseline Review for Earned Value Management
• PM TOC- Earned Value Management
• US Army Space and Missile Defense Command Battle Labs-Analysis of future requirements and preparation for possible application for Presidents Quality Award (Baldridge Award for Federal Government Organizations) , and NASA.

Current Commercial clients are:

• MTA Inc.
• CAS-ITT
• Lesco
• Carmin Industries
• Will Technology
• SAIC
• Beason and Nalley

Dr. Jay provides support to contractors in the areas of performance based and award fee contract management and compliance, contract administration. Developed and provided consulting to mid and senior level government and industry managers in the area of program management during the period 1981- present. Served as Deputy Program Manager to the PERSHING II Project Office September 1986-February 1987. Was senior procurement analyst at the US Army Electronic R & D Command, 1978-1981, providing contracts and acquisition policy support to the command group, to four laboratories and seven project offices. In 1980 Dr. Jay was assigned to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to assist in the preparation of policy and regulatory guidance. This included supporting the writing of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, changing the Federal OPM policy to increase the professionalism of the procurement career field, and implementation of the Office of Government Ethics policies throughout the Federal workforce.

Contract Managemnt Practice: Dr. Jay develops and implements contracting/procurement management systems for large and small businesses. Present training for Small Businesses in NASA Headquarters sponsored Technical Assistance for Small Disadvantaged Businesses in Advanced Technology (TASDBAT) 1996-2005 covering understanding of proposal preparation, contract management including use of Project Manager based tool for management of R & D Contracts for Federal Government contractors. Performs Contractor Purchasing Systems Review (CPSR) and consultation for the development of approved business management systems for NASA contractors.

Quality Management System Practice: Dr. Jay develops ISO 9000:2000 based quality management systems, including quality manual, procedures and work processes. Train internal auditors. Perform Gap analysis and provide recommendations in pre-ISO 9000 certification efforts.

Teaching Experience:

• Drake Technical College-Developed Configuration Management/Data Management Certificate program. A program for experienced systems engineering, and project management personnel to gain an understanding in this foundation skill.
• National Contract Management Association-Have presented National Education Symposia since 1987, was co-director for the 1988 NES on Subcontracts. He developed the materials for the Performance Based Contracting course, Negotiation, and Oral Proposal courses for NCMA. Was co-chair for 1998 World Congress.
• Nova- Southeastern University, Regional Program Coordinator for Doctoral Program in Huntsville AL. Chair of Dissertation Committee for Doctor of Business Administration candidate Tom Pieplow.
• Florida Institute of Technology (1986- present) Graduate level instruction in seven different classes.
• University of Alabama in Huntsville, 1988-2005. Undergraduate and graduate level instruction in three different classes. Also develop and present many offerings in the Continuing Education Division- Performance Measurement, Materials Management Accounting Systems, Project Management Certificate Program, Contract Management Certificate Program, and the Supervisory Development Certificate Program.
• Washington State University- 1995-2003. Develop and present a variety of courses in the management area. Also developed and presented two courses in project management. One was based on customer satisfaction principles, the other on the Project Management Body of Knowledge. Participated in the development and presentation of a Decontamination and Decommissioning Certificate/Graduate credit program for project mangers involved in environmental restoration projects for radioactive and toxic chemical waste removal.
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 1996- 1997 Provide graduate level instruction in a Certificate Program for Cost Estimators and Price Analysts.
• Advanced Technology Institute--Public offerings of seminar materials 1987-1997. Offerings include: Preparation of a Request for Proposal (over 23 offerings) Cost Estimating Workshop (over 9 offerings) Source Selection/Evaluation of Contractor Proposal Workshop (over 6 offerings)
• Defense Systems Management College-Develop and provide instruction on defense systems acquisition to mid and senior level government and industry personnel. Was course director for several courses. Provided input to Contract and Project Management Career development programs. Rated in top level of instructors by both students and peers.

Dr. Jay has developed and presented various in-house offerings for a wide variety of firms, including both aerospace firms as well as service industries. Topics have included-Total Quality Management in Health Care, MIL STD 1521, ISO 9000, Cost Performance Measurement/Earned Value Management, and many others.

Honors / Certifications:

• Member Department of Defense Acquisition Corps --Level III Project Management and Contract Management
• Certified Professional Contract Manager # 3243
• Project Manager Professional # 833
• Fellow National Contract Management Association
• Was co-recipient of National Contract Management Association 1995 Education Award
• ISO 9000 Auditor #Q 04934
• Listed in Who's Who in Project Management 1996-1997
• NCMA Achievement Award, 1998, in recognition for Co-Chair role in NCMA World Congress '98
• Huntsville Madison County Alabama Leadership class 2000
• Rotarian of the Year 2001

Jim is owner of Small Biz Advocate. www.smallbizadvocate.com . As mentor, advisor and coach, he and his team provide strategic marketing solutions to help small businesses sell to prime contractors and to the government. They also help large businesses develop and maintain World Class Supplier Diversity Programs. His team performs everything from a third party supplier diversity program review, to a tune-up, a major overhaul or an extreme make-over. His team is composed of people who worked for prime contractors, Fortune 500 companies and the government.

Before forming Small Biz Advocate, Jim had over 34 years experience in education, training and Supplier Diversity programs with the Fulton County Board of Education and the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Jim worked for Lockheed Martin for 23 years where he held key positions of Material Branch Training Manager, Company Small Business Liaison Officer, F-22 Weapon System Team Small Business Manager and Aeronautics Company Supplier Diversity Senior Manager. In his last position as Senior Manager, Jim managed a team of ten people and was responsible for the success, compliance and coordination of the Aeronautics Company Supplier Diversity Program in Palmdale, CA, Marietta, GA and Fort Worth, TX.

Both as an industry leader and consultant, Jim led his Supplier Diversity Team to achieve small business company goals, earn 'Highly Successful' ratings from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), earn recognition from SBA as having a 'model supplier diversity program' and recognition from the Air Force for improving communication and working relationships by developing and implementing an innovative Memorandum of Understanding between the Air Force and the Aeronautics Company. Jim continues to help his clients achieve their education and training goals and marketing and business development results.

Some of Jim's client companies and associations include:

• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
• M2 Global Technology, Inc.
• Northwest American Indian Development PTAC
• Vulcan Products
• Trilogy Defense Services
• Synergy Systems
• NATECH
• The ASABA Group
• Veteran's Business Journal

Jim received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Alabama, a Teaching Certificate from the University of Georgia, Master of Education degree in Administration and Supervision and an Education Specialist Degree in Vocational and Career Development from Georgia State University. Jim has long record of participation in industry associations and currently serves on the Dallas Fort Worth Native American Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board. Jim proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam era and has written numerous articles for the Fort Worth Business Press.

Jon Minerich

Jon is the President and CEO of Minerich, Inc. www.minerich.net .He provides guidance on Strategy Deployment, Design of Agile Supply Chains, Sales & Operations Planning, Business Performance Assessments, and Process Improvement.

Before becoming a consultant, Jon had over 20 years experience in a wide variety of industries, where he held key positions from Plant Manager, Vice President of Operations, Chief Operating Officer, and President. In his various positions, Jon has been responsible for strategic supply chain agreements with companies in Asia, Europe, and the US. The companies he managed sold their products to over 26 countries worldwide.

Both as an industry leader and consultant, Jon led the improvement efforts of several businesses through the proper integration of people, processes, and technology; several of which achieved Class "A" success due to his efforts. Through his guidance companies have saved millions of dollars.

Some of Jon's client companies include:

• Genentech
• Research in Motion (RIM)
• Merck
• Cooper Industries
• Caterpillar
• Corning

Jon received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and his Master of Business Administration from National University in San Diego, California. He has long record of participation in industry associations, and is a past vice president and president of several American Production and Inventory Control Society [APICS] chapters. He has also served his country as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. Jon has also authored several articles on business improvement, and has been a guest lecturer in the United States, Central and South America, Europe and Asia.

Gary Gathen

Currently Gary is the Chief Engineer, G Corp. www.gcorponline.net . International consulting services and manufacturers’ representative sales firm working within the automotive and other industries as a liaison between the supplier and customer. A full service organization doing what it takes to orchestrate the satisfaction of both. Providing consulting in such areas as manufacturing processes, computer technology, engineering, simulation and applications, as well as new industrial procedures and methods. Very familiar with current state of the art in technology. Gained exposure to practices and methods of tool, die and stamping firms while representing companies in Europe, North and South America, Asia and South Africa. Aligned with an international network of suppliers and consultants in automotive industry. Offers a full service tooling capability from product design, prototype, soft tool development, design and manufacture of tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, special machines and handling equipment to sheet metal stampings, assemblies and automotive components. Consultants on manufacturing processes, management, and computers. Marketing research specialists. Benchmarking in tool and die, and stamping industries. Stamping and tooling associates offering benchmarking, plant assessment, best practices and competitive analysis consulting.

Gary developed proprietary next generation stamping and die making systems (several patentable processes and intellectual properties currently under development). Represented developers of state of the art technologies such as simulation software for crash analysis, metal forming and die stamping development. Refined development of lean die making system. Worked for many years at tool and die manufacturer which closed its doors in December, 1991 due to the retirement of the owner. For 41 years this firm supplied precision tools and dies and stampings to major American manufacturers in the automotive, appliance and aerospace industries. Instituted lean manufacturing concepts along with constraint management, manufacturing systems principles and techniques. Began effort to reduce cost and timing of die design & build by 50% which improved profits by more than 200%. Sales: $8 million; employed 100.

Gary directed manufacturer's representative firm engaged in sales of contract structural engineering analysis personnel and services (finite element modeling and analysis of structural, vibration and thermal modeling results) to automotive OEMs for sheet metal parts, especially underbody and outer skin panels. Ran a firm doing engineering processing and design of tools, dies, molds, fixtures, special machines and automation equipment for the major automotive OEMs and their tier one suppliers. Involved in computer training program for handicapped and did consulting in various other computer training applications such as programming and systems analysis.

Education:
General Motors Institute, (now Kettering University) Flint, MI - B.M.E., 1965
The degree of Bachelor, Mechanical Engineering required completion of a bachelor's thesis Standardization of Component Parts of Mechanical Handling Devices. Sponsoring unit was Fisher Body Div., GMC, Die Engineering Activity. Cooperative experience included one year at the die manufacturing plant (#23), die tryout plant (#37) and assignments in estimating, scheduling, layout, nesting, design, automation, processing and special projects departments.

Professional Affiliations:

National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) – Detroit Chapter president, 1970 and 1976, director 1968 to 2000, chaired apprenticeship, forward planning and golf committee, trustee, member national government relations, apprenticeship, membership and technical standards committees. Contributing columnist to "Skilline", chapter newsletter: Executive Computing. NTMA – Past Service Life Member, , Washington, DC. (national)

Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)

• Member Forming and Fabricating Community Steering Committee
• Chair, Lean Tool and Die Making Tech Group
• Active in Stamping and Dies technical group currently focused on variations in the stamping process
• Participant in SME Lean Certification program development
• Member, Machining & Material Removal Community
• Member, Process, Product Design & Management Community
• Member, TCN Leaders Committee
• Member, Human Side of Lean Technical Community
• Participant, Lean Certification Development, Lean Blitz Week, 2006.
• Lean Certification Volunteer

Dr. Rodney is a finance consultant. His expertise covers many areas of accounting, finance, and information technology including identification of opportunities to improve company's profitability, ERP systems, inventory and cost management, financial statements analysis, forecast, budgets, and other financial models, investigation of current processes to verify conformity and adherence to Sarbanes-Oxley, GAAP, DCAA, FAR, and other government audits.

Although the bulk of his experience remains in manufacturing, he also worked for financial, non-profit, and insurance companies. He has also held accounting management positions at many Fortune 500 companies including Solectron Corporation. During his tenure of the accounting management positions, Rodney brought a significant contribution to his employers by enhancing pricing models, inventory management, production processes and metrics, financial reporting process, and adherence to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles). He has successfully established the liaison between IT and accounting by participating to ERP systems implementation, creating reports in Excel, Access, Crystal and other report writing tools.

His education consists of undergraduate degrees in Accounting from Worcester State College, a master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), and a Ph.D degree in Organization and Management from Capella University. He also served in the adjunct faculty of many universities and colleges since 1992 teaching courses in accounting and finance. He is a member of the Institute of Management Accountant and a CMA (certified management accountant).

Dr. Rodney is actively involved in research for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

His dissertation is:

The role of accountants in the implementation and maintenance of ERP systems.

Charles J. “Chuck” Jernigan

Chuck is currently President, Small Business Solutions, LLC. A service company engaged in consulting and brokerage support for small business who want to do business with, or expand their business base with government agencies.

Before starting his own business Chuck was the Manager of Aftermarket Services Business Development for the Military Engine Division of Pratt & Whitney in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In this position Chuck was responsible for all aftermarket business development related activity at OC-ALC. These activities include understanding the customer’s needs, the war fighter, and finding innovative ways to partner with the ALC in support of its mission.

Prior to joining Pratt & Whitney Chuck held various positions with AlliedSignal and the United States Air Force. While with AlliedSignal Chuck the VP/GM for two businesses, one business designed and re-manufactured target missiles for the Navy, the other manufactured and repaired various electronic components for the Air Force and the Navy. Chuck also served as the Director of Quality for AlliedSignal’s Government Electronic Services Strategic Business Unit.

Chuck is a retired Air Force Colonel whose last duty assignment was as the
C-141 SPD at WR-ALC, GA. He is a Command Pilot and former flying squadron commander with over 5000 hours in various fixed and rotary wing aircraft. In addition to his line experience, Chuck was a staff officer at 21st Air Force, HQ Air Mobility Command and HQ USAF.

Chuck holds both BS and MBA degrees in business and is a graduate of the Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff Collage, DSMC and the Air War Collage. He lives in Edmond, Oklahoma with his wife Barbara and has three daughter’s Arline, Natalie and Heather.

Richard R. Vaillencourt, PE

Richard is the Chief Engineer for Canterbury Engineering Associates, LLC.. www.canterburyenergy.com ..Canterbury Engineering Associates a Veteran Owned Business dedicated to assisting commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in: "THE INTELLIGENT USE OF ENERGY"

What sets CEA apart from vendors and energy service companies (ESCOs) is that we provide a completely independent evaluation of your facility and make recommendations based only on their economic merit. CEA does not benefit from the implementation of any specific recommendation or the installation of any specific product.

Universities, office buildings, hospitals, municipal buildings, schools districts, industrial customers, DOD facilities, etc. call on CEA to provide all levels of energy engineering consulting services from simple walk-through audits to detailed "investment grade" audits. CEA also can act effectively as your representative by developing a request for proposal (RFP) for ESCO selection, and project management on all levels of energy upgrades, including performance contracts. With CEA on your side, realistic goals will be set and achieved.

Richard R. Vaillencourt, PE has degrees in both mechanical and electrical engineering combined with over thirty years of practical experience as a designer and project manager in electrical construction, as an industrial plant engineer, as an industrial corporate energy manager, and working for several ESCOs before becoming an independent energy engineer. Richard has presented several papers at the World Energy Engineering Congress and other venues over the years and has authored a book: Simple Solutions to Energy Calculations which is in its fourth edition.

Services include:
Energy audits

• Simple "walk-through" audits that provide a general idea of what savings potential exists
• Preliminary facility evaluation audits that provide budget numbers for savings and costs for potential projects
• Detailed facility evaluation audits that provide in depth analysis of operational savings and more a detailed opinion of project costs
  

Implementation design

• Mechanical and electrical plans and specifications for projects
• Conceptual
• Bid documents
• Project management
• Development of bid requests
• Contractor bid review and evaluation
• Contractor selection
• Construction observation
• New construction design review
• Review plans and specifications to identify potential operational savings from improved equipment selection or control strategies before construction begins to optimize the balance between construction costs and operating costs.
• Industrial process energy design review
• Review industrial process equipment and operating strategies for operational savings from modifications to equipment or controls.
• Training
• General or site-specific personnel training for building operations and maintenance to optimize comfort and operating costs.

Veteran Owned Business

Anthony F. Kavanaugh, Jr.

Tony is the President and CEO of DCA Engineering. He provides guidance on Management, Materials and Resources, Project and Production / Manufacturing Scheduling, Statement of Work and Work Breakdown Structures, Integrated Master Plans (IMP) and Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), Earned Value / Earned Schedule, Schedule Variance Analysis and Critical Path Analysis.

Tony is skilled in the majority of scheduling and resource planning applications including Microsoft Project, Scitor PS8, Visual Manufacturing, Made 2 Manage and Oracle.

Before becoming a consultant, Tony had over 20 years experience in a wide variety of industries, where he held key positions from Senior Systems Effectiveness Engineer, Production Planner / Scheduler, Master Production Planner / Scheduler and Master Scheduler. In his various positions, Tony has provided his expertise to both Commercial programs and Department of Defense programs. These programs have included 688i / SSGN submarines and United States Naval Research Laboratory satellite and development programs, Aerospace programs and private industry production.

Tony has also held a U.S. Department of Defense Top Secret Clearance.

Both as an industry leader and consultant, Tony has led the planning and scheduling efforts of several businesses through the proper integration of systems, processes, technology and people. Through his guidance companies have delivered their products on time and under budget.
Some of Tony's client companies have included:

• L3 Communications
• Sikorsky Aircraft
• A&S Industries
• Assurance Technology Corporation
• Adaptive Optics Associates, a Northrup Grumman Company
• AZZ Corporation

Tony received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Newbury College of Boston and is pursuing his Masters degree. He maintains his professional standing by participation in industry associations and peer discussions.

Anthony M Coppola

Anthony is a Green/Black Belt Certified energetic and experienced finance, accounting and general management professional with an MBA in Finance. He is a highly motivated Senior Financial & Operations Manager possessing a strong record of achievement with over twenty years of broad experience in IT Outsourcing, Manufacturing, Consumer and Service Oriented Fortune 500 companies. He is an experienced leader in general management, forecasting, planning, reporting & analysis, general ledger, asset management, new business product development, property & facilities management, knowledge management, competitive intelligence, and information technology.

Utilizing his broad experience beyond finance and accounting, Anthony has directed a newly created Central Distribution Center, completing the build out and instituting numerous process improvements that have resulted in effective inventory management. A leader in Asset Management, he has developed strategies to reduce nonproductive assets, resulting in increased revenue with associated expense reductions for the organization totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

20+ year career:

• General Accounting
• Business Management Treasury
• Support Forecasting & Financial Analysis
• Systems &Controls including JDE and SAP
• Financial Reporting
• Manufacturing
• Operational Management
• Six Sigma
  

Zig Berzins, CMC

Zig is the Managing Principal of ZCo Consulting. www.zcoconsulting.com ..Zig has over 25 years of consulting experience in information systems planning, IT governance, business process management, business/IT alignment, program management, IT risk management, IT controls compliance, remediation and change management. Has multiple tier one software implementation experience, including their selection as well as IT audit experience. Zig’s industry experiences include public utilities, manufacturing, state/local government, not-for-profit, courts, education, and transportation. Zig has directed, managed and advised hundreds of projects throughout his consulting career, ranging from single staff assignments to projects with staffing of over 100. Zig is a member of ISACA and is a Certified Management Consultant.

Experience Highlights:

• Over 20 years with Big-Four Firms and a national executive leadership consulting firm
• With the larger firms led several practices, including national tier 1 software integration
• Services, regional IT audit/manufacturing/public sector and security/e-crimes units
• Operating small Systems Consulting Firm
• Chief Information Officer for a High Technology Manufacturer

Recent Project Accomplishments:

• Led the Sarbanes-Oxley IT assessment and readiness for a major insurance company.
• Conducted IT Assessments for many private companies in various industries.
• Led two ‘rescue’ projects involving a tier 1 ERP software product.
• Conducted a performance audit of a western state agency’s failed systems project.
• Led a cost management improvement initiative for a restaurant chain.
• Developed enterprise performance management program for a $500MM utility.
• Acted as an expert witness in a credit card theft legal proceeding.
• Conducted business process management initiative for a $300MM company.

Education:

• B.S., Industrial Management, Minors in Mathematics, Engineering
• Post graduate coursework at Colorado State University

Professional Affiliations / Certifications:

• Certified Management Consultant - Institute of Management Consultants (IMC)
• Certificate in Data Processing – Inst for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP)
• Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
• Certified Systems Professional - Society for Information Management (SIM)
• Colorado Software & Internet Association (CSIA)
• Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
• Association for Operations Management (APICS)

David L. Wild

David is the Chief Engineer for Wild Dimensions Engineering Services, Inc. www.wilddimensions.com . David's professional focus is on engineering and developing the actual manufacturing processes (estimation, purchasing, materials installation of machines and systems) which produce finished products. The cycle times, fixturing, gaging and tooling associated with machines, their systems and products are inclusive. CAD develop / produce final blueprints with G.D.&T.

David has significant experience in the following areas:

• Lean Manufacturing experience with value stream mapping, work place arrangement, operations, leveling production,
  change over, waste reduction, visual control and quality assurance.
• Six Sigma and continuous improvement tools used. Just-in-Time methods using Pull vs. Push, Kanban.
• CAD produced operator, tool, gaging and picture process sheets used for production manufacturing.
• Quality Controls using APQP, Control Plans, PFMEA's, PPAP and DMAIC.
• Root causes for failures and their effects analysis disciplines.
• QS9000 / TS16949 Quality Systems.

Thirty-five years spent with automotive and aerospace:

• Twenty-two years experience in manufacturing engineering.
• Thirteen years experience as a hands on machinist (toolmaker).

Prior automotive and aerospace business / industry experience:

• American Axle and Manufacturing, TRW, Kelsey-Hayes - project engineered the removal and installation of manufacturing lines and equipment. Supervised the equipment builds and runoffs. Establish quality controls and chair process and quality improvement team meetings. Launch products into production.
• Textron, Norwood Precision, Caratron Industries, Moeller Mfg, aerospace manufacturing of gears, splines, power train shafts, gear boxes, levers, brackets and assemblies. Development of all manufacturing sequences of production including Quality Controls
• General Electric, General Dynamics, Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, and Sundstrand.
• Department of Defense contracts and Operation Desert Storm supported.

Education and Current Professional Associations

• Mechanical Engineering, Lawrence Institute of Technology, Southfield, Michigan
• Assoc. of Science for Industrial Drafting, Henry Ford Community College, Dearborn, Michigan
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Chapter 198 Officer- Chairman (2003-Present)
• Monroe County Community College, Manufacturing Technology Curriculum Advisory Committee (2005-Present)

Pietro (Pete) Savo

Pietro (Pete) is a Principal Consultant with over 25 years of diverse experience in Business Strategy Improvement (BSI), Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Systems, Material Management, Supply Chain, Union Shop and consulting environments. He spent eighteen years of his career with Sikorsky Aircraft's division of United Technologies where he co-founded the Cure Team a Sikorsky Aircraft failure analysis clinic and also specialized in Root Cause Analysis. He is a certified professor at Ito University. Ito University was established by United Technologies Company to educate and develop a Quality First Philosophy between its divisions, Pratt & Whitney, Carrier, Otis, Hamilton Sundstrand, Sikorsky, International Fuel Cells, ONSI, UTC Research Center Corporation and their entire supplier base. United States Navy Veteran

Pietro is a member of the US Air Force Small Business Manufacturing Technical Assistance Production Program (MTAPP) where he developed a holistic business assessment tool that focused on excellence in devising productivity improvements and continues to direct on-going product enhancements.

Experience includes Plant floor supervisor, Vice President Lean System Implementation, Plant Manager, General Manager, Director of Operations, with Full P&L and EBITDA responsibility. His experience also includes new plant startup and turnaround, professional consulting focus on improving manufacturing and plant operations in Automotive, Aerospace, Defense Manufacturing Companies.

Pietro has lectured at Boeing Aircraft, Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce, Northup Grumman, Raytheon, and United Technologies on various subjects such as Lean Thinking, Team Building, Quality Systems, ISO Registrar Selection, and Root Cause Analysis. Pietro has also taught Root Cause Analysis for the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

Pietro received his Master of Aeronautical Science in Human Factors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, both Bachelor of Science & Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Sacred Heart University and a certificate for the Minority Business Executive Program from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

Certifications:

• Supplier Excellence Alliance (SEA) Certified Operational Excellence Consultant
• Supplier Excellence Alliance (SEA) Certified Leadership & Culture Consultant
• ISO 9001:2000 RABQSA Lead Auditor
• Ito University Professor
• Private Pilot

Published:

• Root Cause Analysis System for Problem Solving and Problem Avoidance. ISBN: 978-1-4303-0068-7
• PERFECTION - 10 Secrets to Successful Lean Manufacturing Implementation. ISBN: 978-0-6151-6364-2

Articles

• "Are industry-based safety initiatives relevant to medicine," Focus Patient Safety, 2001
• "Root Cause Analysis System for Problem Solving and Problem Avoidance," Success Strategies, 2003
• "Lean Manufacturing Online," www.selltoairforce.org, 2004
• "Holistic Approach to Improving Quoted Business Awards," Success Strategies, 2007

Training Specialties:

• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Problem Solving & Mistake-Proof It! L
• Lean Manufacturing & The 6S's: Workplace Organization
• Quick and Easy Kaizen "the Idea Generator
• Leadership & Culture & Conflict Resolution Made Simple
• Evolving Quality Systems ISO 9001:2000/AS 9100:2000 Industry Evolution
• Building Business with the United States Government and Prime Contractors
• New Project Bidding Team Improvement Training "Know Your Front End
• Project Management "What, Why, How, When, Who"

Veteran Owned Business