Alan offers a unique
background that blends business and education with experience in
engineering, manufacturing, systems analysis, executive management, and
education.
Alan has had the honor of being mentored
by Dr. Mikel Harry, the co-creator of Six Sigma, for ten years and held
the position of Director of Technology for Dr. Mikel
Harry Six Sigma Management Institute working directly with Mikel on a
regular basis.
Practical and Approachable
Alan has worked full time since he was 12 years old. He worked in restaurants
until he was 16. The summer of his junior year of high school he landed a
drafting job and through a vocational co-op program was able to work full time
his senior year of high school. With his initial company, Alan worked as a
draftsman in both customer engineering and R&D, engineering drawing checker,
technical illustrator, cost accounting assistant, marketing assistant, and
office manager for a distributorship. These opportunities provided Alan with a
diverse background and the ability to communicate and work with people at all
levels of the organization. Alan is still married to his high school sweetheart
and after the recent passing of his father, remodeled and moved into his
common childhood home. Alan understands the need to serve and has the
ability to work with people at all levels to bring practical solutions to
the organization.
Hardworking and Dependable
Alan earned his undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering Technology, an
M.B.A. and a M.S. degree in Engineering all while working full time. He was able
to balance his personal development with the responsibilities of a professional
career and family. Alan understands the need to focus his attention on a
single client while maintaining the needs of others and will deliver thorough
on-time solutions.
Diverse and Adaptable
Alan's ability to adapt and work in diverse environments did not end in his
early career. In the second phase of his career Alan spent seven (7) years working in the
construction industry as a designer and structural engineering technician. Alan
then spent eleven years in manufacturing holding such positions as General Foreman, Manufacturing Engineering
Manager, and Engineering Manager. As an executive he held the position of V.P.
and General Manager and was responsible for manufacturing, engineering, and
customer service. As an educator, Alan has taught 16 different courses. Alan has
work on Lean Six Sigma projects both within the U.S. and internationally and is
the Technical Editor for The Great Discovery Novel. Alan utilizes his diverse
background to adapt to the needs and culture of the organization.
"Alan was a passionate champion. He learned
quickly about the culture and strategically adjusted to undermine the
resistance. His methods were quite insightful in the midst of language
barriers, chaos and culture."
Ken Kramer, V.P. Research and Development
Early Light Industrial, Hong Kong
Teacher and Innovator
As a professor, Alan was awarded the Sargent Americanism Award presented by the
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers to recognize faculty who have developed
significant and innovative course work giving students a better understanding of
manufacturing-related business skills. Won the Outstanding Paper Award in the
Manufacturing Division of the America Society of Engineering Educators. With the guidance of Mikel Harry, Alan
developed a Minor in Process Improvement focused on bringing Lean Six Sigma
Black Belt training to undergraduate students.
"I believe that by implementing the Six
Sigma system into the university's curriculum, we will create a center
of excellence that will heighten students' education and make them more
valuable to a variety of industries. I credit this visionary venture to
Alan's drive and determination and his persuasiveness in getting others
on board."
Dr. Mikel J. Harry
Co-creator of the Six Sigma
CEO, Six Sigma Management Institute
You are providing students with experiences of incomparable
value!
Jo Ann Gora
President
Ball State University
As a manager, Alan assembled an inexperienced management team who turned a
bankrupt company and led them to record setting growth and profits.
"I hate to see Alan leave to pursue
his
passion to teach. I'm not sure we will every be able to replace the
leadership and management skills Alan has brought to our company.
Ralph Dennis
Chairman, Lift-A-Loft Corporation
Some say, "Those who can do and those who
can't teach."
Alan says, "Those who are not teaching are not developing those around them and are not
achieving optimal results."
Analytical and Thorough
MS, in Engineering, Purdue University
MBA, Ball State University
BS, Industrial Engineering Technology, Purdue University
Executive Master Black Belt, Six Sigma Management
Institute
Master Black Belt, Six Sigma Management Institute
Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Six Sigma Management
Institute
Certified Manufacturing Engineer, Lifetime, Society of
Manufacturing Engineers
Alan's education and diverse background allows him to perform complex
analysis. His background as a teacher and trainer allows him to teach others to do the same.
His communication skills allow him to present findings in the
language of the person to which he is communicating.Alan provides thorough solutions presented in a way you can understand.
"Your case analysis was unbelievable. The analysis was
perhaps the best case diagnostic I've ever seen. Not too often am I
surprised, but your work was of such high standards one can not help
but say: "This is incredible!" Not only did you get certified, you set
a new standard for others to follow."
Dr. Mikel J. Harry
Co-creator of the Six Sigma
CEO, Six Sigma Management Institute
Dreamer and Survivor
Alan's passion for treading the path that few travel is reflected in his
experiences as a long distance motorcycle rider
(23,000 miles in 48 days and many more) and running his first
half-marathon at age 62. Alan applies his philosophy of "Dream, Believe,
and Achieve the Extraordinary" to both life and business.
Alan's life philosophy follows Sam Walter Foss' poem
"The Calf Path" Alan teaches his students
that they must identify and understand why the calf path exists; and
that, the those who abandon the calf path will be tomorrow's leaders.
Alan is a cancer survivor having lost a kidney to cancer in 1992. A
life changing disease changes the way you look at life. Alan chooses his
projects and relationships based upon the opportunity to share, teach,
and change.
If you are dissatisfied with the results in your business or in
your personal life and want to learn how to change, Alan will be your advocate.
