Access Group Inc.

Ken Lasley, a licensed architect and most recently President of H+M Company's Engineering group serves as the President of TAG Design Services. Prior to Lasley's position at H+M, he served as Vice President of Engineering at Gray Construction in Lexington, Kentucky. Ken has worked with clients all over North America in most all industries including Manufacturing, Distribution, Healthcare, Administrative, and Retail. Many of these firms are Fortune 500 companies that value the expertise and knowledge that Ken brings to his projects. Ken is also a licensed architect in over 40 states creating more opportunities for all of The ACCESS Group companies.

Kevin Saunders is Vice President of Client Services and Business Development with The ACCESS Group. Kevin has over 20 years of experience in management, marketing, and program development. He has held various management and leadership positions with two Fortune 100 corporations. Kevin initiated innovative programs for these companies and had responsibilities for program design, supplier negotiations, systems development, program management and customer relations. He introduced partnership programs that reduced system costs while achieving significant sales growth for both his client base and the suppliers. In his prior position, Kevin consulted with independent business owners to maximize productivity, reduce operational costs and increase sales. He has also held various management positions where he had responsibility for operations and facility management. Kevin has worked in many different capacities with client companies such as Nissan, Ford, Volvo, GE, Bosch, Tower, AO Smith, Dana, Olin Corp., Parker Hannifin, and American Greetings. Kevin has a BS degree in business from the University of Tennessee and has completed numerous courses in Lean principles and methodologies.

Richard Tucker is Director of Project Operations for The ACCESS Group (TAG). He has over sixteen years of business and industry experience in operational and leadership positions. His experience includes new program installation and launch, operations improvement, lean manufacturing implementation (internally and with suppliers), leadership development and supplier program management from prototyping through launch. Richard's experience as Manager of Technical Purchasing has given him a good understanding of major cost drivers and how lean tools can be utilized to make short and long-term impacts to a company's bottom line. Richard has extensive intercultural experience working with Japanese and German counterparts at the OEM and Tier 1 level including Nissan, Bridgestone/ Firestone, Robert Bosch and General Motors Powertrain. Richard has led many projects over his career ranging from development and transfer of equipment sourced in Japan to coaching supplier leadership in results-oriented lean implantation. His accomplishments include leading the installation and startup of Nissan's Intelligent Body Assembly System (featured in Ward's Auto World and Automotive Design and Production magazines). He has led the implementation of an operations level policy deployment model to focus resources on high-leverage projects to improve productivity and quality at a major Tier 1 supplier plant. Richard utilized Shainin Statistical Engineering Techniques to resolve failures on shaft insert station and improve throughput 13%. He has applied lean tools and methods such as OEE and root cause analysis to reduce scrap and improve productivity to eliminate $335k/year of unplanned overtime. Richard has experience working at multiple levels within an organization from the shop floor to the boardroom and seeks to train, coach and develop others to understand the philosophy behind lean techniques. An experienced facilitator, Richard has lead workshops to identify and implement specific cost reductions on current production as well as capital equipment reduction and design optimization on products in the pre-production phase. He has lead Design For Manufacturability workshops to reduce capital expenditures. ($140k capital and $30k customer owned tooling on GM LS3 IAFM program), and Supplier Lean Production workshops to reduce labor content and quality costs ($189k/year labor reduction and $50k/year cost-of-quality on DCX PCHC program). He has utilized his experience to analyze manufacturing feasibility of design alternatives during design and prototyping phase. (i.e. ad hoc DFM activities) and negotiate pricing based on process cost drivers versus supplier quotes. (Major savings over program life: Hydraulic Block $8.9M, RWD PSM $1.0M, FWD PSM $1.1M) Richard's educational background includes BS and MS degrees from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee. Richard has attended formal training courses in the Toyota Production System, Lean Manufacturing, Shainin Statistical Engineering and is certified by FranklinCovery to facilitate 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Principle-Centered Leadership workshops.

Martin Latham, Project Manager of TAG Design Services, has 10+ years experience in the design and construction industry.

Michelle is the Operations Manager for The Access Group. She is responsible for the day to day operations and management of TAG. If you need to finance all or part of your cattle feeding operation, call Michelle to visit about the services available from The Access Group.

Steven M. Schmidt was named President, North American Business Solutions Division in July 2007. Steve brings to Office Depot 30 years of diverse business expertise and leadership. Before joining the Company, Steve was with ACNielsen Corporation, the world's largest marketing information and research company, where he spent 12 years in senior management roles, most recently as President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to ACNielsen, Steve spent eight years at Pillsbury Food Company, serving as the company's President of Canada and Southeast Asia. He also held management positions at PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble. Steve is a graduate of Purdue University and holds a BA in Industrial Administration. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Steak n Shake Company.

Andy Bolton is an Associate with The ACCESS Group and has over 21 years of experience in a business, materials management, and manufacturing environment. Andy is a successful leader with management experience in the aerospace, automotive, metals, and plastics industries. He is familiar with composites, injection molding, warehousing, distribution, business turnarounds and restructuring. Andy has held senior positions and led significant improvement projects involving materials and supply chain management, procurement, vendor relations, and MRP/ERP system implementations. He has facilitated and provided project leadership in several business start-up, turnaround, and restructuring operations. He has worked with retailers and distributors in developing, consolidating, relocating, and upgrading warehouse and distribution systems and facilities. Andy is very attuned to initiatives and operating systems designed to reduce inventory and improve customer service. Andy has led and developed processes and procedures to support lean manufacturing initiatives that reduce critical path lead times, reduce expediting costs, and increase vendor involvement and relations. Andy has led projects that have reduced expediting costs by 53%, reduced the vendor base by 37%, and captured volume discount savings without compromising customer service. He has hands-on experience in vendor selection, purchasing, kanban implementation, and supply chain development. He has led improvement initiatives and in one case reduced a two million dollar shipment backlog in an organization by 80% in three months. Andy has evaluated and implemented successful software changes at company, division and corporate levels. He has led team/cell development to address key weaknesses in a procurement/supply-chain organization and, as a certified instructor, trained thousands of employees in both union and non-union environments. Andy has a B.S. in Business Administration form the University of Arkansas and is a published author and presenter at APICS International Conventions. He has completed numerous industry specific training programs. Andy is an APICS Certified CPIM and a registered CPE instructor with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).

Bill Neely is an Associate of The ACCESS Group with over twenty-five years of experience. His background includes a career in the US Air Force with emphasis in aircraft development and acquisition as a program manager and test pilot. He was the Air Force program manager for the design, build, and flight test of an advanced fighter technology demonstrator aircraft. Since entering industry he has been program manager for several production programs; director of assembly operations for a major aircraft component manufacturer; and vice president of operations for a division of a Fortune 150 company who is a tier one supplier to the top three OEM turbine engine manufacturers. Bill is a proven leader who successfully integrated performance based operations management with lean and six sigma principles to achieve financial goals for his division. Customers recognize the performance of this division as world class in quality, cost, and schedule. He has extensive experience in contract development, negotiation, and management. The breadth and depth of his background enables him to successfully manage a wide range of projects necessary for an organization's success. Bill has successfully applied these skills as the project manager for plant relocations for two of TAG's clients. Bill's educational background includes an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Tech and an MBA from Mississippi State. He also is a graduate of the Air Force Command and Staff College, Defense Systems Management College, and the Air Force Test Pilot School.

Bob Bak is an Associate of The ACCESS Group (TAG) and has over twenty-five years of experience in manufacturing. He has devoted his career to productivity improvement using World Class Manufacturing techniques. Bob has focused in the areas of plant layout, cellular design, kanban and pull systems, 5S organization, and setup reduction. Bob has worked in many industries including aerospace, machining, metal fabrication, electro-mechanical assembly, appliance, packaging, metal stamping, metal spinning, and molding. Bob has worked with companies such as Genlyte, Thomas Industries, Giddens Industries, Ideal Industries, Rockwell Dodge, Remmele Manufacturing Company, Leonard's Metal Incorporated, and Elkay. Bob has led and contributed to many projects during his career. These include designing and implementing lean manufacturing principles, consolidating an aerospace machining company from three plants to one, and reducing a metal stamping and fabrication operation from two locations down to one. He has also relocated complete product lines from one division to another, and designed and implemented demand pull systems. Bob has designed layouts for several lighting companies, an HVAC manufacturer, three machining operations, two electro-mechanical assembly plants, and numerous precision metal fabrication companies. He also has facilitated many Kaizen events to accomplish process improvements. Bob communicates well with people from the shop floor to the boardroom. He is a seasoned professional who demonstrates leadership with a hands-on style. He has been actively involved in all aspects of the principles of lean manufacturing. These include value stream mapping, cellular plant layouts, setup reduction, demand pull systems, kanban, point of use storage, cell design, single piece flow, 5S organization, employee lean training, standardize work, and other lean principles. Bob has a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chicago Technical College.

Bob Sproull is an Associate of The ACCESS Group (TAG) and has over thirty years of diversified experience in operational and executive leadership positions. Bob's experience centers-around continuous improvement utilizing his unique blend of Lean, Six Sigma, and the Theory of Constraints to drive profitability. He has had extensive involvement in operations, quality, engineering, quality systems (ISO, TS, QS) and supplier development. Bob has occupied numerous positions within manufacturing organizations at the shop floor, management, and executive levels and is known for his passionate approach to lean and continuous improvement. He has worked in a variety of industries that include aerospace, automotive, heavy truck, fiber glass, metal forming and machining, injection molding, assembly, extrusion, and others in both consulting and full time positions. A partial list of companies Bob has worked with includes Xerox, Michelin Tire, American Sunroof, the USPS, Teksid Aluminum, Engineered Fabrics Corporation, Morgan Truck Corporation, Autocam, Caledonia Group, and others. Bob has extensive operational assessment experience and has led numerous projects throughout his career. He has widespread domestic and international consulting experience and is well respected by his clients and peers for his knowledge of and hands-on approach to Lean, Six Sigma, and the Theory of Constraints. Bob is an excellent problem solver who has had one manuscript published (Process Problem Solving A Guide for Maintenance and Operations Teams Productivity Press, Inc. 2001). Bob's second book, on the integration of Lean, Six Sigma, and the Theory of Constraints, will be released later in 2008 by Productivity Press, Inc. Bob has led or participated in numerous Lean and TPS transformations in both manufacturing and transactional processes. A partial listing of Bob's improvement accomplishments include a reduction in engineering lead time on new order quotes from 40 days to 48 hours for a truck body manufacturer; improvement in equipment reliability from 56% to 80% in 3 months for a plastic bottle manufacturer; an inventory reduction of $3 million in 2 months for a bus manufacturer; EBITDA improvement from 15 to 41% and a PPM reduction from 20,000+ to 200 in two months for a European OEM tier one precision component supplier; a $1 million EBITDA turn-around in four months in an OEM fiberglass parts manufacturer. Bob is a team player, relationship builder, motivator, and people person who interacts well with all levels of the organization. He has an excellent knowledge of statistics and has experience teaching DOE's, SPC, Hypothesis Testing, etc. Bob's unique style of learning, then applying, lends itself to rapid and sustainable improvement. Bob has facilitated numerous, successful kaizen events involving cross functional and cross level participants. Bob's educational background includes a BS degree from the University of Rochester with a double major in Physics and Math. Bob is a Six Sigma Black Belt and has experience leading multi-plant Six Sigma implementations.

Charles, a principal and President/CEO of Healthcare PERFORMANCE PARTNERS (HPP) has overseen the implementation of Lean Healthcare systems in numerous healthcare organizations across the US and is an in demand speaker on the subject of Lean and business process improvement. As one of the few Lean professionals that has translated manufacturing experience and the tools of Lean Manufacturing to success in the healthcare industry, he has proven experience in both single and system hospital environments as well as for profit and non-profit healthcare organizations. Charles also is a Principal with The ACCESS Group, LLC (TAG) and TAG Design Services, LLC, which are headquartered in the Nashville, Tennessee area. Charles has consulted with numerous Fortune 500 companies located in North America and Europe in providing Project Management solutions, Process and Systems Design Services, and complete Lean Enterprise implementation and training solutions. Charles has also held executive and management positions in the Aerospace, Automotive, Consumer Goods and Manufacturing Consulting industries, including Program Manager of the Titan IV Rocket and V-22 Osprey Aircraft Programs with a Fortune 100 company. Charles has a degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, as well as a B.S. in Operations Management and an MBA from Belmont University. Charles received a certificate in Lean Enterprise Systems from the University of Tennessee and a Lean Healthcare Certification from the University of Michigan.

Mr. Clell Tompkins is an Associate of The ACCESS Group with over 38 years of experience in various industries including plastics, woodworking, painting, silk screening, electronics, assembly, extrusion, injection molding, hot stamping, thermoforming, and tooling. Clell's operations experience includes extensive leadership roles in manufacturing operations and processes, quality systems including ISO, materials, supply chain logistics, engineering, purchasing, HR functions, concurrent engineering from product design to customer, management and supervision training, and plant relocations & startups. He has held positions as industrial insurance risk engineer; industrial engineer; manufacturing engineer; manager of quality assurance; production manager; plant manager; operations manager; and director of operations. Clell has also served in a number of project rolls such as plant shutdowns, feasibility studies, design of lean manufacturing concepts for new operations, overseeing the renovation for new startup facilities, plant and process moves, hiring and training of staff for new locations, and new production startups. Companies Clell has worked with include Telex Communication, Aladdin Industries, Gibson Guitar, Phillips Consumer Electronics, Magnavox, Industrial Risk Insurance Company and others. Clell has enjoyed great success in executive positions as leader, teacher, trainer, and hands on supporter for empowering managers, workforces, and work teams taking them to a level of success they never thought possible. This was accomplished through lean principles, employee involvement, learning how to trust, good communication, continuous improvement, an error free environment by doing it right the first time every time, lean organizations, and systems skills. These successes were accomplished using lean tools such as value stream documentation, 5S, work cells, one piece flow, and many other ways of eliminating duplication, bottle necks, errors, and waste. Clell's knowledge, experience, teaching, and hands-on approach using employee involvement and empowerment enabled others to accomplish major reductions in labor content, reductions in labor turnover from 80% to less than 5%, inventory turns from less than 1 turn to 10 turns in a short time, cycle time reductions from weeks to days, excellent customer service and relations, development of strong teams, and empl

Mr. Dan Ausbrooks is an associate of The ACCESS Group/TAG and has over twenty years experience in various manufacturing industries including diecast, machining, metal stamping, welding and final assembly. Dan has held positions as Quality Control Manager, Quality Supervisor, Quality Systems Engineer, Quality Engineer and Training, and Development Manager. Dan has worked with companies such as Federal Mogul, Frigidaire, Borg Warner and Tower Automotive. With the exception of Frigidaire, all experience has been with the automotive industry. Dan has extensive knowledge in ISO9000/QS9000 and transition from QS9000 to TS16949 and is well versed in Quality Systems Development and Implementation. He is very knowledgeable in quality applications such as APQP, PFMEA, CP's; 8-D/7-D Problem Solving Techniques, 5-Why's, PPAP submissions, Gage Control and Calibration Programs. Dan is experienced with plant relocations, new plant ramp-ups, and has worked in both union and non-union environments. Dan possesses strong computer skills and is knowledgeable of numerous electronic document control programs such as Powerway and Impact. In addition, Dan has created and designed unique electronic documentation applications using MS Access and eliminated the need for multiple monthly license fees for packaged software. Dan is a seasoned professional who portrays both hands-on and leadership characteristics. Dan has been a Certified Quality Engineer, Lead Auditor for ISO/QS9000 and is certified as an Internal Auditor for TS16949.

Daniel is an Associate of The ACCESS Group (TAG) with over twenty-five years of experience in operational and leadership positions. His operational experience includes extensive involvement in logistics; materials management; purchasing from capital buying, operations, to MRO; systems integration and implementation; personnel training and staff development; production control; inventory control; lean techniques in manufacturing, and supplier development. Daniel has held numerous positions within operational organizations from the shop floor to the executive level. Daniel has worked in industries including, automotive, heavy truck, appliance, metal stamping, gray-iron foundry, machining, injection molding, free brass rod, warehousing and distribution, and others in both consulting and full time positions. Companies that Daniel has worked with include Navistar, Tower Automotive, PMI Food Equipment, Aeroquip, Chase Brass, Marathon Electric, Bosch, and Life Cycle Engineering. Daniel has managed many projects over his career ranging from multi-plant materials management, production control start-up implementation, to lean manufacturing techniques to meet daily release requirements of an automobile supplier. Some of his accomplishments include managing the immediate supplier replacement of castings after a disastrous foundry fire without loss of a single customer or loss of production. He also managed and directed Just-In-Time daily shipments by a Tier 1 automotive supplier by initiating with Ford a "milk run" concept, still in use today that consolidates shipments of multiple suppliers from the US to Canada and ships the LTL of many suppliers with one full load price. Daniel led a plant reliability excellence project for a major supplier of automotive -the heavy truck assembly industry, which resulted in Kitting, reduction of inventories of 20%, more effective scheduling, and a Daily Management System. He implemented a pull/Kanban manufacturing system for an electric motor manufacturer that increased on time deliveries and completed shipments from 65% to 98%. He also has increased product throughput by 35%. Other accomplishments include improvements of inventory accuracy from 82% to 99%, supplier reductions from 1200 to less than 350, and improvements in supplier deliveries from 60% on time delivery to 98%. Daniel interacts well with people from all levels of the organization which has been instrumental in the successful projects he has led. Daniel's involvement in the value stream includes all facets including business strategic plan development, managing startups, developing lean plant layouts, establishing Kitting for maintenance work orders, conducting management and employee training, plan implementation, production control, establishing key performance measurements, and sustaining ongoing operations. He is intimately familiar with JIT and sequencing for the automotive industry, pull and Kanban systems, cellular and single piece flow manufacturing processes, level loading, and other lean manufacturing principles. Daniel is an enthusiastic leader that gets results by involving and teaching the people he works with in order to ensure success both during the implementation and after his engagement is complete. Daniel's educational background includes a BS degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and holds an MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Daniel is APICS certified at the CPIM level. He is also certified at the CPMM level from AFE (Association of Facility Engineering). Daniel is currently a member of Strathmore's Who's Who International, and is a published author in the field of materials management. He has served numerous positions in APICS, including three years as President of the Fort Wayne, Indiana APICS chapter. He is also a certified instructor for CPIM courses.

Dennis McCully is an Associate of The ACCESS Group (TAG) and has over twenty-four years of experience in product engineering design and management, program management, and quality positions. Dennis has held numerous positions within organizations from design engineer to program manager to department supervisor. Dennis has worked in industries including automotive, heavy truck, injection molding, and others in both consulting and full time positions. Companies that Dennis has worked with include United Technologies, Rockwell Automotive, Arvin Meritor, and others. Dennis has also performed over 200 lab accreditation assessments for testing laboratories both in the US and internationally. Dennis has led many projects over his career ranging from extensive involvement in product design, product testing, production support, program management, quality checks in support of quality control plan, validation activities in support of PPAP submission, and customer approvals of production parts. Some of his accomplishments include managing the release of new products as part of a Tier 2 automotive supplier with multiple plants in the US. He also managed Canadian suppliers of tooling, acoustic noise measurement and reduction. Dennis has been responsible for a new testing lab set-up and all testing responsibilities. This included the CAD and documentation systems for product engineering, and acting as QS9000 management representative for product engineering including writing and publishing procedures. He also prepared and secured lab accreditation to ISO 17025 for an automotive products lab for a tier 1 automotive supplier. Dennis has supported product transitions from one plant to another both in program management and testing activities for re-validation. Dennis has provided and implemented numerous cost savings for production products. Dennis has designed and implemented a new insulation system for small electric motors resulting in a 50% work in process saving for numerous products. Dennis has also participated in lean manufacturing activities resulting in 60% reduction of work in progress and a 70% reduction in product travel within the manufacturing facility. Dennis has provided quality engineering support for PPAP submissions for a Tier I supplier including control charts, Cpk, Ppk and supporting statistical analysis. Dennis has provided training classes on various topics including estimation of measurement uncertainty, electric motor design and quality system/procedure rollout training. Dennis interacts well with people from all levels of the organization, which has been instrumental in the successful projects he has led. Dennis's experience includes all facets including business plan development, assistance with the budgetary planning, product design, product testing, employee training, plan implementation including international considerations, performance measurements, and ongoing operations. Dennis's educational background includes a BS degree from Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. He is also a laboratory assessor and is qualified as a senior/lead assessor for ISO/IEC 17025. Additional training includes: Program Management, Kaizen business process improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Leadership in Transition, and Lead Assessor Training.

Evelyn White is an Associate of the ACCESS Group with over 14 years of experience in the manufacturing industry designing machinery and processes to improve productivity and reduce cost. Evelyn has held positions as Engineering Manager, Industrial Engineer, SMED Leader, and draftsperson. Evelyn has worked with American Greetings, Plus Mark, and Rickey E. White & Associates. Evelyn is a detailed oriented, conscientious and organized individual with demonstrated abilities in leadership, building teams and meeting customer needs. Evelyn has led many projects over her career from manufacturing systems design and implementation to lean manufacturing conversions of company's division. Some of her accomplishments include leading a manufacturing consolidation in a reorganization effort, reducing cost of production and generated a savings of $800K. Evelyn has completed the purchase and installation of a $1.2M envelope machine to meet production demands, an ink blending system to generate an annual savings of $98.5K and an automated batch feeding system to generate an annual saving of $128K. Evelyn has managed and implemented numerous lean continuous improvement concepts such as 5-S and SMED in multiple manufacturing facilities which decreased make-ready time by 35% across the company division. She has designed and developed standard operating procedures that resulted in increased production and efficiency. In her engineering role, Evelyn has had additional responsibilities for maintenance, facilities, information systems, shipping/receiving, and warehousing. Evelyn's educational background includes an A. S. degree in Architectural Drafting and a B. S. degree in Industrial Technology from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Evelyn was selected to represent her American Greetings at the 2004 Annual American Manufacturer of Excellence Conference. She is MTM, 4-M Certified and has completed additional training in:

Mr. Gary Cutrell is an Associate of The ACCESS Group with over 30 years experience, primarily working in the automotive industry. Gary has held positions as production supervisor, plant quality engineer, plant and division quality manager and quality consultant and trainer. Gary has worked with companies such as GenCorp, formerly General Tire and Rubber Company (Vehicle Sealing, Industrial Products and Tire Divisions), Haworth, Inc., Carrier, and Industrial Converting Company. Gary possesses exceptional quality management expertise with good people skills and extensive experience in manufacturing, product design validation and international quality systems. He has specific experience in Supplier Development, Problem Solving Processes (8D), Statistical Methods and Process Control, QS9000/ISO9000 and Advanced Quality Planning. Gary's quality focus initiatives have included QS9000 certifications in two facilities, coordination of updating ISO Quality Systems and development of Supplier Quality Requirements manual and Corrective Action Request format for quality concern. Gary also served as a design team member, developed a Design Verification Plan (DVP) and managed testing to verify and validate design function. In addition, Gary has been heavily involved in problem solving and cost reduction initiatives by identifying significant sources of process variation and implementing corrective action using team-based problem solving techniques. He also reduced cost of poor quality by over 3.5% of Standard Cost of Production through reduced customer complaints and process improvement to reduce scrap and off-standard product. Mr. Cutrell possesses a BS, Industrial Management from The Ohio State University and an MBA from Murray State University. He is also a member of the American Society for Quality since 1973 and has been a Certified Quality Engineer since 1976.

Gerald "Jerry" Bossolono is an associate of The ACCESS Group (TAG) and is a proven professional with over forty years of hands-on manufacturing management experience in the production and engineering disciplines. Gerald has held numerous positions within operational organizations from machine operator to shop floor management to the executive level. Gerald has worked in industries including: automotive, foundry, meat processing, appliance and injection molding equipment among others, in both consulting and full time positions. These experiences include working with multi-national and international conglomerate companies, such as, General Motors, Allis-Chalmers, Johnson Controls, Gateway Industries and others. Gerald has led many projects throughout his career ranging from complex manufacturing systems design and implementation to lean manufacturing conversions of plant with operations in many different industries. His accomplishments include the consolidation project for an automotive seat belt manufacturer, which consolidated three plants into two plants, and increased production volumes and improved on time and complete shipments. Gerald developed and implemented a preventative maintenance program for an automated brass foundry that brought its downtime from 30% to less than 1%. Gerald interacts well with people from all levels of the organization, which has been helpful in the success of the projects he has led. He is intimately familiar with JIT, Pull and Kanban systems, cellular and single piece flow manufacturing processes and utilizes Auto Cad to develop and implement plant layouts to accommodate these and other lean manufacturing principles. Gerald is an enthusiastic and highly motivated leader. Results are obtained by involving, teaching and working alongside the employees to ensure success during planning, implementation and after the engagement is completed. Gerald's certifications include SPC (Oakland University), Certification Mfg. Engineering (Allis-Chalmers), certified MTM Applicator (Allis-Chalmers), and Auto Cad (General Motors). He has also attended seminars in management, process control, production control, planning, MRP, industrial engineering, and business management.

Array

Mike is a managing principal with The Access Group (TAG) and a Partner with Healthcare Performance Partners (HPP). Mike has had a dual background in both the manufacturing industry and the military where he served as a pilot of various aircraft including the F-15 and C-130. The organization and discipline developed in the military has transitioned well into Mike's career in Lean Enterprise development and implementation. This experience provided a great foundation for developing, implementing, and training organizations in the use of checklists and standardized methods for developing efficient, risk averse, and safe operations. Mike has led various business process and Lean Enterprise related improvement projects for companies, including those in the healthcare, industrial, and administrative business sectors. Mike has over 30 years experience in significant areas of growth and leadership during his career. He has held leadership positions in manufacturing, strategic planning, consulting, staffing, and marketing. As a Director of Program Management for a major international aerospace manufacturer, he attained significant foreign and international trade experience. He has also managed numerous planning and industrial projects in the automotive, consumer goods, defense, boat, aircraft, and truck industries. Mike earned his B.S. degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and an MBA from Troy State University.

Randall Cole is an Associate of The ACCESS Group (TAG) and has over twenty-eight years of experience in manufacturing and materials management leadership roles. His operational experience includes extensive involvement in manufacturing operations, materials management, systems improvements and implementation, supplier development, customer relations, material handling, shop floor control, and supplier development activities. Randall has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility, including Manufacturing Manager, Director of Manufacturing, Procurement Manager, Materials Manager, Associate and Senior Associate Consultant. Randall has also served companies as a consultant in the positions of Customer Service Manager, Materials Manager, Director of Planning and Vice President of Purchasing. Randall has worked in several industries including automotive, component remanufacturing, assembly plant equipment, heavy truck, sporting goods, consumer goods, and appliance. Randall has been responsible for implementing change throughout his career. He has led many projects ranging from systems data preparation and implementation, new product launches, and plant closings. He has led and been involved in computer systems improvements and installations, materials management and shop floor control development, and the implementation of scheduling processes and procedures. Some of his accomplishments include the development of bills of materials and all related database information for a start up company, new company supplier development, the liquidation of inventories, and the final build-out of significant product lines. He has worked with customers to determine anticipated needs, developed sales forecasts and Master Production Schedules, and worked with suppliers to insure needs are met while maintaining bankruptcy guidelines. Randall has developed significant material handling improvements including one foreign facility that reduced stocking travel distance by over 90%. He has also implemented improvements that eliminated triple handling of products, developed shop floor controls to eliminate operational bottlenecks, and regularly develops systems that eliminates past due customer orders. In one case, this resulted in the elimination of over $150,000 of premium freight charges annually. Randall also implemented scheduling improvements, shop floor controls and disciplines in shipping and receiving departments. Results yielding improvements such as an 88% reduction in shipping discrepancies, output increases of 35%, and an increase in sales dollars per overtime hour of 400% have been achieved. Randall is a veteran of the United States Army. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science Degree from Tennessee State University. Randall has received the Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) designation from the American Production and Inventory Control Society. He has attended numerous formal training courses in leadership and organizational development.

Randall Cole is an Associate of The ACCESS Group (TAG) and has over twenty-eight years of experience in manufacturing and materials management leadership roles. His operational experience includes extensive involvement in manufacturing operations, materials management, systems improvements and implementation, supplier development, customer relations, material handling, shop floor control, and supplier development activities. Randall has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility, including Manufacturing Manager, Director of Manufacturing, Procurement Manager, Materials Manager, Associate and Senior Associate Consultant. Randall has also served companies as a consultant in the positions of Customer Service Manager, Materials Manager, Director of Planning and Vice President of Purchasing. Randall has worked in several industries including automotive, component remanufacturing, assembly plant equipment, heavy truck, sporting goods, consumer goods, and appliance.

Mr. Rick Bradley is an Associate of The ACCESS Group with over twenty years experience in various vocations including the automotive, food, and clothing industries. Rick has held positions as Plant Engineer, Facilities/Maintenance & HSE Administrator, and Maintenance & Facilities Manager, as well as, having served in many project management roles. Rick has worked with companies such as Kraft, Oscar Meyer, Ford, Gary Company, Bendix, AlliedSignal, Bosch, and Visteon. Rick began his career as a machinist and later furthered his education as an industrial electrician. His years of experience have allowed him to highly develop his skills that include machine controls, power distribution, pneumatic circuitry and plant layouts. He is well versed in PLC troubleshooting skills to include most brands of controls and actually teaches PLC ladder logic. Rick has developed complete Preventive Maintenance programs including researching and writing PM's for entire facilities within the framework of QS9000. His QS9000 experience also includes achieving the level of lead auditor. Rick has been heavily involved in plant construction and start-ups. He has completed numerous facility related projects including developing specs for facility maintenance, implementing recycling programs, installation of chilled water systems, and facilities construction/renovations. Rick also proposed and installed an energy management system to improve HVAC usage that resulted in 30% savings. Rick has developed yearly capital projects to achieve process improvements and cost reductions. Rick has excellent interpersonal skills and is a seasoned professional who portrays both hands-on and leadership characteristics. Rick possesses strong CAD skills, including AutoCAD 14/2000 and he has a good working knowledge of MP2 Maintenance Management. Rick's formal studies in his technical trades began at the Ford Glass Plant where he took advantage of the Ford Apprenticeship Program as a Machine Repairman. He later attended the Tennessee Vocational Technical Center in Hartsville, Tennessee where he received his electrical and electronic training. He has also successfully completed many advanced training courses in the area of Maintenance Software, PLC's, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and advanced training in AutoCAD.

Rick Reed is an associate of The ACCESS Group and has over 28 years of experience in manufacturing. He has held key positions including Plant Operations Manager, Materials Manager, and Quality Systems Manager. Rick has worked in the food products and metals industries, and has worked closely with a variety of packaging and food ingredient industries. Rick is considered an expert in supply chain optimization, leadership and process team development /effectiveness, lean manufacturing, Kaizen, and safety. His broad background includes leadership of functional organizations such as manufacturing, quality assurance, materials management, financial forecasting, health and safety, training and human resources/organizational development. He has also served as a program element champion for an ISO 9002/QS 9000 certified plant. Rick has provided leadership for corporate multi-disciplined quality improvement projects, and has directed supplier productivity and capacity projects. He is an expert at leading high performing teams to achieve improved results with a clear focus on the customer and the value stream. Rick has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee.

Stu Wiles is an Associate of The ACCESS Group (TAG) and has over twenty-three years of experience in operational and leadership positions. His operational experience includes extensive involvement in logistics, business development, materials management, lean manufacturing, systems development and implementation, personnel, and supplier development. Stu has held numerous positions within operational organizations from shop floor management to the executive level. Stu has worked in industries including automotive, heavy truck, metal forming, machining, injection molding, assembly, capital equipment and others in both consulting and full time positions. Companies that Stu has worked with include Lacks Industries, Magna, Mexican Industries and others. Stu has led many projects over his career ranging from complex materials management system design and implementation to lean manufacturing conversions of plant wide operations in many different industries. Some of his accomplishments include leading at team to increase OEE from 84% to 96% and reduced cost per part to an overall margin increase of 18% in a heavy truck axle plant. He also managed the implementation of an automated pull system that increased on-time shipments from 23% to 100% and eliminated premium freight and unscheduled overtime. Stu has implemented kanban and pull systems in dozens of manufacturing and distribution environments.

Mr. Tom Gibney is an Associate of The ACCESS Group (TAG) with over thirty years of experience in various industries including automotive, aircraft, HVAC, electronics, mining, and general industry. He has held positions of industrial engineer, manufacturing engineer, facilities engineer, and design engineer, both as a practitioner and a manager of these functions. Tom has worked with companies such as Navistar (International Truck and Engine), Carrier Corporation (a United Technologies Company), Aeroquip, Gulfstream Aviation, Aerostructures, Seimens, Gillette, Columbus McKinnon, and Emerson Electric. Tom possesses extensive experience in productivity improvement, plant layout, establishing work processes, capital planning and budgeting, inventory management, supply chain analysis, LEAN manufacturing, material handling, setting up cellular manufacturing systems, establishing kanban systems, line balancing, sequencing and kitting, work measurement, costing, project management, programming, capability analysis, and resource utilization. He has been involved in new product launches, site relocation, and product re-designs. His experience is in a variety of operations including machining, assembly, fabrication, and molding. He has participated in achieving (or maintaining) various quality certifications such as ISO9000, QS9000, Nuclear "N" Stamp, and various NAVSEA and MIL-spec programs. Tom is an advocate for change and has superior mentoring and teaching skills. He has excellent interpersonal and analytical abilities. His computer skills include MS Office, Autocad, MS Project, Visio, and various MRP programs. He is a seasoned professional who is equally effective as a team member, team leader, or individual contributor. Tom is a graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. His major course of study was industrial engineering. He has also successfully completed many advanced training courses in industrial management, ergonomics and safety, and technical areas. He is a senior member of IIE and certified in MOST.

Wayne Scarberry is an Associate of the ACCESS Group (TAG) and has over twenty-five years of extensive experience utilizing the principles and concepts for lean enterprise with the Development, Manufacturing and Testing environments involving Product support, R & D, and all other Administrative areas. Wayne has held numerous positions within engineering and manufacturing areas and then site lean leader to corporate lean leader. His background is in the automotive industry working with Bendix Brakes, Allied / Signal and Robert Bosch Corp. Wayne has lead and been involved in many projects over his career from complex engineering test laboratory design and manufacturing system design. Some of his accomplishments include developing a TPM / 5S system for engineering test laboratories across Bosch Chassis Systems, which decreased unplanned down time by more then 92% in 18 months. He's been involved in leading projects in the consolidation of eight manufacturing sites to five in North America and Mexico. Wayne has worked extensively with manufacturing support functions & the supply base in cost savings activities which have yielded close to $1 million in savings in the first year. He has lead lean line design activities which have increased OEE from 65% to 87% within the first four months of improvements by applying TPM / 5S and natural work teams. Wayne was part of a design team which designed and developed an associate involvement system which has generated over 5000 implemented improvement ideas over the past seven years. Wayne has been involved in policy deployment, lean strategy /deployment and visioning exercises working with upper management. He has an in-depth understanding of the Toyota Production System principles and concepts and has a passion for lean. He has lead several kaizen events which include VSM, SMED, TPM/5S, Error Proofing, Supervisor Development, Problem Solving, Lean Line Design, Design for Mfg., Standard Work, and Transparent Processes. Wayne utilizes a hands on approach when teaching and applying lean tools; he is an enthusiastic leader and gets the results by involving and engaging those associates who he comes in contact with. He ensures success by establishing real targets and measures that can be achieved by the associates and team in regards to set expectations. Wayne is currently pursuing his BS degree in Operational Management from the University of Berkley, Michigan and scheduled to complete summer of 2008. Wayne has achieved several lean and management certifications from Indiana University, Ivy Technical College South Bend, Indiana, Harris Lean Systems North Carolina, Kaizen Institute and Robert Bosch Corporation. Wayne also is a veteran serving four years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps.

Deborah J. Lucas has been The Donald C. Clark/HSBC Professor of Finance at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, since 1996. Dr. Lucas was Chief Economist, at the Congressional Budget Office, from 2000 to 2001, Member, Social Security Technical Advisory Panel, from 1990 to 2000 and 2006 to 2007, National Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago