Chad Vincent, LBC, LSC, LGC, CQE, CRE, CMQ/OE, CSSBB
Sr Manager Product Development Engineering - Design
AME Representative

Chad is a continuous improvement professional with over 20 years of experience.  He is a Senior Member of ASQ and a member of SME and AME.  He is a past chair of the Lean Certification Oversight and Appeals Committee and SME’s Technical Certification Oversight and Appeals Committee.  He is a past examiner and judge for the Governor’s Quality Award, Arkansas’ equivalent of the MBNQA.  Chad earned a BS in Engineering Management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.  He has served as a lean practitioner for the logistics, construction, and manufacturing industries including medical devices, industrial packaging, railcar, and footwear.

Charles Gilman
Consultant, Gilman Analytics

Charles Gilman has been working in Additive Manufacturing for 25 years. Prior to his current role, Mr. Gilman held positions with GE Global Research’s Model-Based Manufacturing Laboratory, the US Air Force Manufacturing Technology Directorate, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and STEP Tools, Inc. Mr. Gilman’s technical interests also include Computational Geometry, Model-Based Manufacturing, and Smart Manufacturing.

Susan Witt
Manager Industrial Training, EWI

Susan M. Witt works as Manager Industrial Training for EWI. For the past five years she has been developing and managing the programming in the STEM Lab and developing training courses for industry. Prior to coming to BMW Ms. Witt served as Program Coordinator for Erie and Niagara Counties for the Dream It, Do It program, engaging and educating the next generation in manufacturing and engineering. Ms. Witt earned her Bachelor’s Degree from State University of New York, Buffalo State in Mechanical Engineering in 2002. Upon graduation she worked as a design engineer specializing in electro-mechanical designs. Ms. Witt currently sits on Erie Community College’s Mechanical Engineering Technology Advisory Board and State University of New York, Buffalo State Mechanical Engineering Technology Industry Advisory Board, the SME (Society Manufacturing Engineers) Certification Oversight and Appeals Committee and the RIA (Robotics Industries Association) Individual Robotics Certification Committee.

Jeevan Malpeddi, CMfgE, CQE, CRE
Product Development Lead, Ford Motor Company

Jeevan Malpeddi is a senior engineer in the body engineering area of product development at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan.  He has over 25 years of automotive product design and manufacturing experience which includes body exterior systems, sheet metal, interior seats restraints.  His role is to lead the design, development, validation, release implementation of engineering product changes that are attributed to revenue, quality, cost, customer satisfaction, performance, regulatory, manufacturability, and serviceability.  He has master of science in management degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY; master of science degree in manufacturing from Eastern Michigan University, MI; and bachelor of mechanical engineering from Osmania University, India.

Thomas Binder, CMfgT, CMfgE
The Boeing Company, Retired

Tom Binder is a retired manufacturing engineer from the Boeing Commercial Airplane Company in Renton, Washington. Binder started his career in the commercial airplane division in 1984 and had worked on 727, 737, 757 and military versions of the 707, 737 and 757 aircraft. Recently, he was a hardware manager for the Boeing Defense and Space group working on the P-8A, a derivative of the commercial 737 for the U.S. Navy. Binder was responsible for manufacturability, supplier coordination, and scheduling of military hardware installed in the forward fuselage. His last assignment involved build integration and production system design for the 737 MAX family of jetliners.

He is a United States patent holder for Boeing's "Sky Interior" for the 737 and was honored with a 2012 Boeing Special Invention Award for this patent. Binder has achieved both the Certified Manufacturing Engineer and Certified Manufacturing Technologist certifications from SME and is a member of the Boeing SME steering team. He is also a Certified Master Automotive Technician – National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

Binder received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University and holds a Certificate in Product Lifecycle Management from Purdue University and an Associate's Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University.

Kathryn Daniels, PhD, LSME, CMfgE
Owner, Tri-Phase Engineering

Kathryn Daniels has 30 plus years aircraft experience in tool and die making, tool engineering, and programming. CATIA V5, quality engineer and quality management. (AS9100, AS9102) Adjunct teaching in engineering, quality and lean manufacturing related topics at Wichita Area Technical College, Butler Community College, Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. Past SME experience is: Certification Committee, (9 yrs.), Chapter 52 Wichita, Ks activities include: Certification Chair, 11 years, Vice Chair (3 yrs.), Chairman, (3 yrs.), Advisor to Wichita State University Student Chapter (4 yrs.). Currently, serving as Chair and Certification Chair for Wichita Ks chapter, and assisting students at Wichita State University. Other professional affiliations are: Senior member, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Senior Member American Society of Quality, Member of American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Women Engineers and American Society of Engineering Education. B.S. Manufacturing Technology and B.S. Business Quality Management Southwestern College, M.S. Technical Education Pittsburg State University, Ed.S Industrial Education Pittsburg State University, and PhD Industrial Engineering University of Berkeley. Currently, owns Tri-Phase Engineering, where most work is engineering design for the military.

Dr. Jeff Miller
Principal Senior Technical Fellow in Production Engineering at The Boeing Company

Dr. Jeff Miller is a Principal Senior Technical Fellow in Production Engineering at The Boeing Company.  He started in career in 1990 at McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Company and has extensive experience in leading innovative technology development through production system implementation.  Before joining the Boeing Technical Fellowship, he held Senior Management positions in Technology Integration and Global Equipment & Tooling Integration for the 787 Dreamliner Program. Miller led onsite design, construction, and activation of launch facilities for the Boeing Delta IV rocket program on both coasts, and site planning and activation teams for the 1.5 million square foot Delta rocket factory in Decatur, AL, including acquisition and commissioning of the plant, property, production equipment, and tooling.  Miller led several technology development projects for manufacturing both aircraft and launch vehicle primary structure including specialized equipment and processes for the NASA Advanced Composites Technology Wing Program.  He is an Affiliate Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics & Astronautics at the University of Washington and has developed and previously taught courses in composites materials and processes, manufacturing, concurrent engineering, project management, producibility, and technical leadership.   Miller was selected as an SME Fellow and serves on the AeroDef Executive Committee.  Miller previously served as Certification Chair for SME Chapter 39 and led instruction of Manufacturing Engineering and Technologist Review Courses.  He holds Professional Certification in Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Management, and Project Management.  Miller earned BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering, MS in Manufacturing Engineering, MBA in Technology Management, and is a Registered Professional Engineer.

Gary Vrsek, CMfgE
Consultant, Eastern Michigan University

Gary Vrsek has been providing engineering support to a variety of industries since 2006, after retiring from a 33 year career with Ford Motor Company. He is an EMU graduate and has been teaching a number of classes there, primarily in the Engineering Management MS program, since 1995. His prime field of expertise is in the mechanical design, research, and manufacturing; from prototype to high-volume production of powertrains for automotive, industrial, marine, aircraft, high performance, and military applications. While at Ford, Gary spent 13 years as an engineering manager, leading major product programs, CAD/CAM/CAE efforts, and also as casting technical specialist, launching new manufacturing technologies into production. His eight patents span critical engine technologies and manufacturing innovations; one of which earned Machine Design Magazine’s Concurrent Engineering Award and two others, the prestigious R&D 100 award.  Gary is a Certified Manufacturing Engineer, a Six Sigma Project Champion and Green Belt. He has been a member of SME since 1991 and has served as a subject matter expert and course reviewer for Tooling U, as well as a contributor to the Fundamentals of Manufacturing text book.

Ruben Reyes, CMfgE
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

Ruben Reyes holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Wichita State University. Early in his career, he developed tools and procedures for the F-35 fatigue test airframe teardown and structural evaluation at the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), allowing valuable data to be captured that otherwise would have been lost. Currently, he is Senior Manufacturing Engineer at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics where his primary focus is on the application of low-observable coatings on the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Ruben previously served as the Vice Chair of Wichita Chapter 52 in 2019 and served as their Chair in 2021 and 2022. Throughout his college career, he served as Wichita State University’s Student Chapter 14 Treasurer, Vice Chairman, and Chairman.

Frank Abkenar
Global Powertrain Director, Ford Motor Company (Retired)

Frank Abkenar was the Global Director, Powertrain and Vehicle Thermal Systems at Ford Motor Company until December 2022.

Mr. Abkenar has held several global roles in Product Development, Manufacturing, and Strategic Planning. Frank has also held leadership roles in Europe and Asia Pacific, which included launching several Powertrains in new and existing manufacturing facilities in South America, China, India, Thailand, and South Africa. In Asia Pacific, Frank was Director or Powertrain, leading the growth of Powertrain across the AP markets.

Mr. Abkenar graduated from Oakland University with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

Aashish (Ash) Dalal
Owner/Engineer, Ohm Electric Cars, LLC

Ash has completed his BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of California at Davis, working under Dr. Andrew Frank at the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Center of research, focusing on the next generation of plug-in hybrid electric cars and trucks for the Future Truck (now EcoCar) competition along with mild hybrid systems combined with Continuously Variable Transmission technologies with Nissan / GM / Ford. Since then and over the last 20 years, Ash has supported the next generation of defense systems and the hybridization of tracked vehicles, with modeling and simulation to manufacturing / prototype development at United Defense / BAE Systems. After which, Ash supported the stationary power generation market with EV/HEV technologies, then to the pre-release Model S electric motor testing / validation at Tesla. From there, Ash has supported the medium / heavy duty EV/HEV truck markets through development and testing at the Electric Vehicle Tech Center at Southern California Edison along with additional grid / charging support. Ash has since supported the low voltage hybrid application with utility service bucket truck development at Altec. Ash has now started his own engineering / EV conversion company, Ohm Electric Cars, complete with a 4-wheel hub dynamometer and additional service / testing equipment along with CAD and MATLAB/Simulink modeling support.

Liam Fortier
Advanced Manufacturing Engineer, Peterbilt Motors Company

Liam Fortier is an advanced manufacturing engineer at Peterbilt Motors Company in Denton, Texas. His role is to lead the effort to ensure the next generation of heavy duty and medium duty battery electric vehicles or as manufacturable and assembly ready as possible. His areas of specialization include lean manufacturing, Design for 6 Sigma, DMAIC, and DFMA. In addition to mechanical engineering design work, he also took on further responsibility to manage both the heavy duty and medium duty projects for his division. Outside of work, he serves as a member of the board for the DFW SME Chapter 51. Prior to working at Peterbilt, he served as the vice president of the SME student chapter S099 Texas A&M University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in manufacturing and mechanical engineering technology.

Willy Kaulfersch
Ford Motor Company (Retired)

Willy retired from Ford Motor Company and held various successful leadership roles in plant engineering, stamping operations, process development, and as manager of a global launch planning/workforce development organization. He was actively involved in new product launches, provided leading-edge performance support, and led training development programs for engineering, staff, and plant personnel. His role in workforce development was instrumental in preparing the industry for the latest manufacturing technology. Willy is currently developing and delivering electric vehicle classroom-based training for Tooling U-SME. He is a subject matter expert assisting with electric vehicle and battery manufacturing technologies for the Content Development Group.

David Behling, LBC
Quality Manager, RK Mission Critical
SME Representative

David is an improvement, quality and leadership coach with over 30 years of experience creating improvement cultures in the manufacturing, metal processing, non-profit, research and government industries. He has a passion for helping individuals & teams enjoy their work and home lives more by simplifying processes and building sustainable systems.

David has volunteered his time and knowledge for many years to ASQ (American Society for Quality) as both an SME (Subject Matter Expert) and on the leadership team for the Lean Enterprise Division. He was serving as the ASQ representative when the current AME /Shingo Institute /SME Lean Certification program was created and chaired the Lean programming for the annual ASQ Lean & Six Sigma Conference during its first 10 years.

David holds the Lean Bronze Certification, is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and is an ASQ Certified Manager of Quality / Organizational Excellence in addition to holding Masters degrees in Engineering and Finance from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He is currently a member of the AME Champions Club.

Jim Garrick, LBC, LSC, CMfgE
Maxability, LLC
Shingo Representative

Jim is Lean Silver Certified and is a senior management and training professional with over 35 years of experience. He has a strong manufacturing and service improvement background that includes a variety of functional experience. He serves as a senior examiner/team lead for both the Shingo Prize and the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) Excellence Award and is a member of the Southeast Board of Directors for AME. Jim is also serves as a Board Member for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship and College of Business Advisory Boards at Tennessee Technological University. He has been an SME member since 1983, receiving the Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award - 1990, and Award of Merit – 1992. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Gannon University and an MBA from Tennessee Technological University. He has achieved the levels of Certified Manufacturing Engineer, SME and Professional Engineering Manager, Association for Engineering Management.

Christianna (Chris) Hayes, MBA, PMP, SSMBB, CMQ/OE, CQA, CQE, CSCP, LBC
CEO, Impact Performance Solutions
Shingo Representative

Chris has almost 30 years as a proven business performance improvement leader, international speaker, and author. Chris is a full spectrum coach and adult learning instructor with practical experience from the shop floor to the boardroom. She utilizes organizational excellence best practices to engage the workforce, drive ideal behaviors, meet objectives, and sustain results. Because of her extensive experience helping companies achieve organizational excellence, Chris is one of only 36 in the world to be accepted as a Shingo Licensed Affiliate.

Chris has served in various top leadership positions throughout her career including CEO, COO, VP of Quality, and Director of Quality and Continuous Improvement. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University and the University of Tulsa where she developed and taught numerous adult-learning-centric courses. She has volunteered her time and shared her knowledge through her association with organizations such as ASQ (Board of Directors, Lean Enterprise Division Chair, Quality Innovations Summit TPC Chair, Fellows Coach and NextGen Chair) and SME (Member volunteer, Lean Bronze Instructor, Lean Bronze Portfolio Reviewer, and COA Member).

Chris has an MBA in addition to an undergrad degree in Business and Project Management and has earned certifications in areas of Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt (LSSMBB), Project Management (PMP), Supply Chain (CSQP), Quality (CMQ/OE and CQE), Auditing (CQA), certified ISO 9001 and AS9100), and Human Resources (HR Specialist).

Joel Hugghins, P.E., LBC, LSC, LGC, PMP, CMfgE, LSSBB, PSM
Principal, Hugghins Performance Consulting, Inc.
AME Representative

Joel is a career-long Lean practitioner, instructor, and coach with 30 years of experience in Lean transformations and over a decade in Lean Six Sigma deployments. Joel has served in various industrial roles ranging from engineer, designer, manager, director, and most recently Lean Leader in manufacturing and service industries.

Joel has been an engaged member of both SME and AME for over a decade, speaking and volunteering at numerous AME Conferences and virtual Summits and contributing to AME’s Target Magazine publication.

Joel first became involved in Lean design immediately out of college while working for Trane Air Conditioning. That experience drove Joel to combine traditional engineering and project management with Lean thinking. He applied these techniques when consulting for the Texas A&M University System and later for downhole oil/gas manufacturers and service providers. Joel then transitioned to the high-performance computing industry, training an elite internal consultancy team for Hewlett-Packard Enterprise. He also launched their internal certification program before moving back to Trane as the Lean Leader for their Residential Products Division. Now Joel can be found speaking at conferences and coaching smaller businesses towards their Operational Excellence goals.

Joel has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Professional Engineer’s License, a Lean Gold Certification, and numerous industry certifications.

Marian Lemne, LGC, LSC
VP Manufacturing, Tally Energy Systems
SME Representative

For over 20 years, Marian Lemne is pursuing his passion for Operational Excellence leading world class teams from good to great processes and to sustainable results through open communication and collaboration. Marian Lemne holds a Lean Gold and a Lean Silver Certifications from SME, a Certified Supply Chain Professional certification from ASCM / APICS, a Project Management Professional certification from Project Management Institute with international experience in supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, trade, legal and distribution, and a focus on lean principles, data analytics and agile problem solving. Marian Lemne holds a Master of Business Administration from Vienna University of Business and Economics, a Masters’ Certificate in Project Management for York University, Toronto, Canada and an Engineering Degree in Mechanical Engineering, specialization Thermal Engines, Major in Engines from “Gheorge Asachi” Technical University from Iasi, Romania.

Ron Pujalte, LSC
Continuous Improvement/Six Sigma Manager
GBMP Representative

Prior to joining GBMP, Ron spent twenty-four years in manufacturing starting his career working on the manufacturing floor of a transformer facility for six years before changing careers and becoming a Cymbal Smith at the Avedis Zildjian Company and moving up the ranks to Director of Manufacturing where he became a practitioner of the Toyota Production System. Ron left Zildjian after eleven years and was Director of Operations and eventually COO for WareRite Distributors, a high-volume countertop manufacturer. Ron received his Black Belt in Six Sigma from the Juran Institute in 2002 and his Master Black Belt from 6Sigma.us in Austin Texas in 2006. He received his BSBA from Northeastern University. Ron is Lean Silver certified and has passed the Lean Gold exam and is currently working on his portfolio. Since joining GBMP in 2006, Ron has worked in hundreds of companies from many different industries.

Chad Vincent, LBC, LSC, LGC, CQE, CRE, CMQ/OE, CSSBB
Sr Manager Product Development Engineering - Design
AME Representative

Chad is a continuous improvement professional with over 20 years of experience.  He is a Senior Member of ASQ and a member of SME and AME.  He is a past chair of the Lean Certification Oversight and Appeals Committee and SME’s Technical Certification Oversight and Appeals Committee.  He is a past examiner and judge for the Governor’s Quality Award, Arkansas’ equivalent of the MBNQA.  Chad earned a BS in Engineering Management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.  He has served as a lean practitioner for the logistics, construction, and manufacturing industries including medical devices, industrial packaging, railcar, and footwear.