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Lean Team

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Michael Beels

Lean Program Manager

Michael Beels has served in the role of Lean Program Manager for the Lean Business Solutions Team at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center for more than 14 years. Michael’s areas of expertise include Change Leadership, Workforce Engagement, and Succession Planning, as well as the entire portfolio of Lean strategies and methodologies.

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Karen Goike

Senior Business Advisor

Karen has over 25 years of experience in project management and business analysis. She is a certified Project Management Professional and Lean Office Champion.

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Russ Mason

Lean Program Manager

Russell Mason is a Lean Program Manager for the Business Solutions Team. His areas of expertise include change leadership and management...

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Kevin Olds

Senior Business Advisor

Kevin Olds joined the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center’s Traverse City office in January 2019 as a Senior Business Advisor.

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Kristin Smith

Manufacturing Coordinator

After being away from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Kristin has returned to her home town to support a thriving U.P. She has held previous positions all throughout Southern California to Atlanta as a Configuration Specialist, Application Trainer, Program Analyst, and Account Manager for the past 10 years.

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John Spillson

Food Business Development Manager & Lean Business Advisor

John Spillson joined The Center to develop and expand the food program. His experience in operating his own business has given him knowledge in production...

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Robert S. Stauffer

Senior Lean, Costing & Project Management Consultant

Rob Stauffer has been a Program Manager in The Center’s Lean Business Solutions program for 11 years. He has trained and mentored Michigan companies...

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Rob Summers

Senior Business Advisor

Rob is a Senior Business Advisor at The Center-Traverse City. He has 15 years of experience in manufacturing industries, primarily in aerospace related applications. In addition, Rob serves as the Vice-Chair of the Grand Traverse Area Manufacturing Council (GTAMC). 

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Roger Tomlinson

Lean Program Manager

Roger Tomlinson has been a Program Manager in The Center’s Lean Business Solutions program for 20 years. He has trained and mentored hundreds of Michigan...

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Chuck Werner

Manager Operational Excellence/Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt

Chuck Werner has been a Program Manager with the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center since July of 2016. His areas of expertise are in Lean, Six Sigma and Quality. He is also part of the Industry 4.0 Core Team. 

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Betsy Williams

Senior Business Development Advisor

Former travel executive and consultant, Betsy has more than 30 years of operational development and management experience. She is a SHRM Human Resource Specialist and is a Certified Lean Champion.

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Richard Wolin

Regional V.P. & Director of Northern Lower Operations

Richard has been with Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) since 1987, Director of Training since 2001, and Director of the Northern office of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center since 2003.  Richard is the creator of the Active Learning Model training hundreds of Michigan companies in Leadership, Team, and Lean skills by applying the ALMTM model. He and his staff have also trained leading companies to use the ALMTM internally.

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