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Lean Team

About Us

Michael Beels

Lean Program Manager

Michael’s areas of expertise include Leadership training and mentoring, Workforce Engagement and the Employee Experience, Culture, Communication and Succession Planning, as well as the entire portfolio of Lean strategies and methodologies, having led more than 100 kaizen/workshop events.

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Scott Chaiken

Lean Program Manager

As a Lean Program Manager at The Center, Scott Chaiken guides Michigan manufacturers through their Lean and continuous improvement projects. Drawing from his expertise in process re-engineering and continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma techniques, Scott provides custom mentoring and training to support manufacturers’ strategic improvement.

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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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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

Upper Peninsula Director

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

Since joining The Center in 2014, John Spillson has worked to mentor manufacturers on Lean and Leadership strategies as well as provide expert support to food processors. His experience in operating his own business has given him knowledge in production, sales, food safety, marketing, warehousing and logistics.

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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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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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Jered Tyack

Lean Program Manager

Jered Tyack is a Lean Program Manager at The Center. In his role, Jered provides custom training and mentoring to Michigan manufacturers on Lean principles and tools, helping them to reduce waste, increase efficiency and improve workplace culture.

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Chuck Werner

Manager Operational Excellence/Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt

Chuck Werner has been with the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center since July 2016. His areas of expertise are in Lean, Six Sigma, Industry 4.0 and Quality.

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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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