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PRINCIPALS & PROFESSIONALS

Our team members bring unparalleled expertise as executives, managers and technical professionals. Each lean manufacturing consultant has proven experience in managing strategic planning and organizational change and applying Lean and Six Sigma business practices to create world-class performance. Our business consultants are recognized leaders in building and facilitating interdisciplinary teams that are able to develop creative, cost-effective solutions to the difficult challenges faced by managers in today's competitive business climate.

Rick L. Smith, President

Rick has more than 34 years of experience in world class technologies such as Lean Assessment, Value Stream Mapping, Lean Implementation Coaching, Kaizen Improvement Programs, and Six Sigma.

He has helped companies from a diverse range of manufacturing environments become more competitive by implementing Lean Business Practices and Kaizen Events. His hands-on involvement and in-depth knowledge of large-scale change – combined with his local, state and federal manufacturing regulatory knowledge – have proved to be invaluable to clients. Rick also has a long history of working with state-funded programs, including the California ETP.

Rick has an educational background in Mechanical Engineering, and is a Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) and Registered Environmental Assessor (REA).

Trina A. Green

Director of Administration, Trina, is responsible for leading our administrative team which includes our office operations, accounting, human resources and recruiting services. Trina has over 25 years’ experience in a variety of roles, includes sales and marketing, Lean Administration, in-house training, office/operations management, accounting, workshop coordination and more recently as our Recruiting and Placement Manager. Trina has successfully placed Quality Managers, Production Managers, Lean Specialists, VP Supply Chain, VP Manufacturing, Operations Managers, Plant Managers and General Managers and a variety of technical professionals within our clients’ organizations. Trina’s in-depth knowledge of business consulting services, business education and human resource management affords a seasoned perspective to her work.

Trina attended Stevens Henager Business College and Weber State University. She has been involved in local Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) programs to promote continuous improvement. She is also certified as a Lean Manager in Administrative and Service Programs.

Dave Scott

Dave has worked as a Vice President of Manufacturing/Engineering and Vice President of Corporate Planning for a multi-plant metal fabricating and finishing OEM. He has significant experience in Strategic Planning, as well as, World Class implementations, including all facets of work teams, Lean/cellular manufacturing, Kaizen and other continuous improvement technologies.

Dave’s manufacturing and management background spans over 40 years in industrial engineering, production and inventory control, manufacturing engineering and related senior leadership positions. He has expertise in Lean training and implementation, strategic direction, facilities planning,business development, and the full range of World Class Manufacturing practices.

Dave holds an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management in Chicago with an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Western Illinois University. He has been active in the Champions Club of the AME (Association for Manufacturing Excellence).

Ray P. Padilla

Director of Client Services, Ray is responsible for the successful delivery of superior services and for developing long-term relationships with our clients. Ray’s tenure in consulting and education brings a wealth of experience with Lean/Six Sigma, Supply Chain, administrative lean, and customer service programs to our organization.

Ray has over 20 years experience using continuous improvement and breakthrough technologies to get results -- he specializes in Operational Excellence, Sales and Operations Planning, Lean, and Six Sigma.

Before becoming a consultant, Ray worked for Hewlett-Packard Company for seventeen years. He held various positions spanning research and development, manufacturing, the quality department, technical support and site services. While at HP, Ray contributed to Yokogawa Hewlett-Packard’s successful pursuit of the coveted Deming Prize in 1982. He pioneered an integrated approach to applying Operational Excellence methodologies to achieve rapid results in manufacturing and service business processes.

As a consultant, Ray has provided consulting and educational services to manufacturing, sales, distribution, and service companies in all segments of industry. Clients typically achieve 70% to 90% reductions in cycle time and 25% to 50% reduction in costs while simultaneously improving quality by greater than 50%.

Ray has a B.S. (magna cum laude) degree in Technical Management from Regis University.

Jeff Hofstetter

As a Senior Consultant with TCA, Jeff is a results-driven, decisive manager with a record of initiating time and cost-saving improvements while leading diverse teams to sustainable performance gains. He has over 10 years in implementing successful Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma programs, with proficiency in Kaizen Events. Jeff is a skilled mentor and coach with a positive approach to resource management, leadership development, and training. He is a Black Belt in Six Sigma and has a BS in business management.

David R. Dixon

Dave R. Dixon, Senior Business Advisor and Consultant, has over 39 years’ experience in Vision, Strategy, Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Systems and Resource Management, Customer Focused People and Six Sigma applications.

Dave has brought this expertise to a wide variety of manufacturing environments that include machining operations, heavy fabrication, electronics assembly, lighting, signage and offset printing. He has also applied lean principles to non-manufacturing environments, such as administration. Dave is highly respected for his ability to facilitate the cultural changes that are mandatory for success in today’s highly competitive global economy.

Dave holds a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University and a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering from Weber State University. He is a registered Professional Engineer and is certified in Production and Inventory Management by APICS. He conducts frequent seminars and workshops for client companies and professional groups.

John Boyer

John E. Boyer, Jr., Senior Business Advisor and Consultant, works with company executive teams, boards, managers and operational experts from all types of industries to achieve profitable growth and improve return on investment. He has specialized expertise in Sales, Production and Inventory planning, Repair/Remanufacturing environments, and with the selection and implementation of fully integrated and functionally complete business systems for manufacturing planning and control.

John has 33 years consulting experience with commercial and defense clients nationally and internationally; seven years as Associate Professor of Manufacturing Engineering Technology at Weber State University; and nine years of industrial experience in various materials, engineering, and top management positions with Rockwell International, Emerson Electric Company, and Hughes Aircraft.

He received a Master of Business Administration from Utah State University and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University. He is a registered Professional Engineer and is certified at the Fellow Level in Production and Inventory Management by APICS. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars both national and international.

PROFESSIONALS

Gary High

Ed Phillips

Elton T. Reid

Amy Strebel

Jeffrey R. Shipman

Jack Barrett

Pat Welsh

Jonathan Leahy

Glenn Jensen

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