About the Service Providers Drew Locher Drew is currently Managing Director for Change Management Associates. CMA provides various Business Improvement Consulting and Organizational Development services to industrial and service organizations. CMA will assist organizations to successfully implement Systems and Quality Management principles within their operations to improve business performance. Since 1986, Drew has been working to implement innovative Business Management strategies in a wide spectrum of business environments. From 1986 to 1990 he worked to develop and deliver Business Improvement programs for General Electric. During this time, he had the opportunity to gain first hand experience in significant business improvement initiatives throughout a large industrial and service company. In 1990, Drew left GE to form CMA. CMA is a consortium of individuals who share a similar business management and improvement vision. They are committed to seeing innovative strategies implemented in all business environments. The CMA approach is practical and application oriented - a 'learn as you're doing and succeeding' approach. In 1997, CMA partnered with the National Institute of Standards and Technologies', Manufacturing Extension Partnership, to develop a "Lean University". For more information, check out the NIST/MEP Lean Website. Since 2001, Drew has proudly been a faculty member of the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI), the not-for-profit organization of the co-author of the landmark book "Lean Thinking", James P. Womack.  LEI is committed to educating organizations worldwide in the concepts of Lean through its publications and workshops.  For more information check out the Lean Enterprise Institute Website. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Ohio State University delivering Lean related workshops as part of the Fisher School of Business. In 2004, Drew Locher co-authored book titled, “The Complete Lean Enterprise – Value Stream Mapping for Office and Administrative Processes”. In April 2005, the book won the prestigious Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. His new book (2008) is titled, "Value Stream Mapping for Lean Development - a How-to Guide to Streamline Time to Market".   Drew received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Delaware in Mechanical Engineering, as well as a Master of Science degree from Drexel University in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He has also received a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University. Mark Welch Mark has more than 20 years of experience in Manufacturing Management and Industrial Engineering.  He honed his Industrial Engineering skills at a $1.5 billion aerospace corporation in Akron, Ohio.  While a Manufacturing Manager for a global computer manufacturer in Silicon Valley, he successfully implemented Demand Flow Manufacturing and helped achieve ISO 9001 certification.  He went on to manage manufacturing operations for a progressive ambient lighting manufacturer in Berkeley, CA.  All of these experiences provided the background and expertise to ensure quality services to his future clients. Mark has an innate ability to facilitate, teach and implement successful programs for process improvements and cost reductions, particularly in the area of Lean Enterprise solutions, for his client companies. His clients have included Sony Electronics, Mattson, Vicor Westcor, Marich Confectionery, and BP. Mark holds a B.S. Degree in Industrial Management and is a member of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME).  He is also a former Chapter Chairman of the Society of Manufacturing Engineering (SME). Mike Rothmeier Mike has over 20 years of experience in product development and process improvement, and with clients such as ranging from major corporations to small manufacturers. Mike’s corporate experience has included many well-known companies in highly competitive markets such as Northrop Grumman, Baxter Medical, Square D, and Allied Signal. Mike trains, coaches and facilitates cross-functional teams chartered with accelerating production tasks, reducing waste, eliminating needless expenses and improving internal processes. Team members enjoy Mike’s hands-on approach to projects that span from the front offices through the factory and all the way to the customer’s door. Clients benefit from improved teamwork, agile processes and flexible systems. And they continue to applaud the customer-focused solutions developed with their employees. Mike has an Industrial Engineering degree from California State Polytechnic. Louis Stephenson Louis Stephenson has over 20 years of operations management and consulting experience working with a wide variety of organizations throughout North America. He has consulted with manufacturing companies in heavy equipment, make-to-order electronics, furniture, electronic guidance systems, machining/stamping, OEM automotive, rubber, plastic injection, rotational molding, light assembly, fabrication, paint/custom paint, wiring harnesses, and woodworking. Prior to his consulting work, Louis worked for Gates Rubber Company in a number of operations management roles including Focused Factory Manager and Manufacturing Excellence Coordinator. Louis recently concluded a year and a half working with a leading US based upholstered furniture manufacturer serving as Continuous Improvement manager. Responsibilities included cell design and implementation, plant maintenance and engineering. Louis provided support and guidance to both corporate and manufacturing plants. Louis is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a business degree, and is a certified NIST MEP trainer. He is also affiliated with the Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence (Utah State University) serving as an examiner for 7 years, and is an adjunct faculty member at Arkansas State University. Tim Dromboski Tim has 16 years of industry experience working in line-level, engineering, and consulting positions. Most recently, he has worked as a consultant for a leading MEP center educating and supporting clients with lean implementation in industries such as Pharmaceutical, Automotive, Chemicals, Metalworking, Plastics, and numerous design-build firms. Tim was a lead instructor with the Institute of World Class Manufacturing educating hundreds of participants in the tools of Lean, and he acted as a support instructor on training sessions delivered to University of Penn’s Ops. management Wharton students. Prior to consulting, Tim worked with UPS, Ford Motor Company, and Mack Trucks. His industry successes include cellular design, kanban implementation, JIT techniques linked to information management, and DFM programs. Relying on a blend of practical experience and theoretical expertise, Tim will respectfully challenge your cross-functional teams to achieve successful improvements in your quality, delivery and cost performance. Tim received a B.S. Industrial Engineering from the College of New Jersey and an M.S. Manufacturing Systems Engineering from NJIT.