About Simons-White
Key Members of Our Team
Simons-White & Associates brings together the talents and diverse experience of 25 consultants. Our consultants offer a complement of superior education with valuable practical experience in each of their fields. Consultants are carefully matched based on the needs of each client and project.
In addition to Norma Simons, the president and co-founder of Simons-White & Associates, the following members of our team contribute continued support to ensure customer satisfaction:
Kathy Paris
M.S. Organizational Development, Eastern Michigan University
B.S. Industrial Administration, General Motors Institute
Ms. Paris, a senior consultant and business development specialist for Simons-White & Associates, has provided consulting and training in organizational development and the quality arenas for the past 20 years. She has developed training and/or trained in the following subject areas: Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Control Planning, Business Operating System (BOS), Statistical Process Control (SPC), 8D Problem Solving, Team Building, Project Management, and Metrology. Ms. Paris’ major clients have included DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Webasto, and BF Goodrich, as well as their suppliers.
Duane Cole
B.A. Telecommunications , Michigan State University
Mr. Cole, the director of operations for Simons-White & Associates, came to our company with 20 years of experience in various fields including telecommunications, food service management, and sales. Mr. Cole is responsible for development and dissemination of course materials, client services, and the Simons-White information technology infrastructure. Mr. Cole constantly seeks opportunities to eliminate waste and increase the efficiency of business processes. His creativity has also been of value in the development of sales, and marketing materials. As the latest addition to our team, he has already increased the integrity and efficiency of our IT systems.
DAVID LUSK
Bachelor of Arts Wayne State University, ASQ Certified Quality Auditor, ASQ Certified Technician, Six Sigma Black Belt
Extensive experience and knowledge working in the automotive industry implementing international standards and providing training and consulting in several quality based programs. Mr. Lusk has been an instructor, trainer, consultant and advisor for over 20 years. Mr. Lusk is a certified trainer for Business Process Improvement, Project Management for Six-Sigma, Decision Making for Six-Sigma. Mr. Lusk has trained or developed courses in Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA), Design FMEA, Process FMEA, Mistake Proofing, Control Plan, Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Problem Solving, Project Management, Statistical Process Control ( SPC), ISO 9001 & QS-9000 / Internal Auditing, Gage R & R Studies, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), ISO/TS 16949:2002, Process-based Auditing, ISO 14001 and Six Sigma Green Belt. Mr. Lusk’s major clients have included, DaimlerChrysler, TRW, and Textron.
DEAN STAMATIS
B.S./B.A: Marketing, Wayne State University, Masters: Business Mgt/ Financial Economics Central Michigan University, PH.D. Instructional technology and business/statistics from Wayne State University
Dr. Stamatis is a specialist in Quality Science, Management Consulting and Organizational Development. He works as adjunct faculty at Central Michigan University. He has also taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in Statistics, Operations Management, Technology and Environment and Project Management, for the University of Michigan, Florida Institute of Technology and Central Michigan University. With more than 30 years of experience in management, quality training and consulting, Dr. Stamatis has served and consulted for numerous industries in the private and public sectors. His consulting extends across the United States, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Southeast Asia, Japan, China, India, and Europe. Dr. Stamatis has written more than 70 articles in professional and academic journals and presented many speeches at national and international conferences on quality. He is a contributing author in several books and the sole author of 20 books. His latest major work is Six Sigma and Beyond, a seven volume exhaustive study of six sigma methodology, published by St. Lucie Press.
GARY P. PHILLIPS
Registered Professional Engineer, State of Michigan; ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, BS. Industrial Engineering from Wayne State University
Mr. Phillips has experience as an Instructor, trainer, consultant and facilitator for over 20 years, with an emphasis on the quality and reliability sciences, as well as quality standards. Mr. Phillips has taught or facilitated courses in many subject areas including; Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP),Design Optimization and Verification, Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFM, DFA, DQI), Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), Blueprint Reading, Value Engineering (VE), Value Analysis (VA), Function Analysis, Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), Error Proofing, Design of Experiments (DOE), Taguchi, classical, or Six Sigma blend, Reliability and maintainability, accelerated tests, Weibull analysis, , process optimization, validation, and control, Six Sigma: executive, champion, black belt, and green belt, project management, Design of experiments (DOE): Taguchi, response-surface, EVOP. or Six Sigma, Process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), mistake proofing, Control plan methodology, production part approval process (PPAP), Measurement systems analysis ( MSA, R&R), measurement uncertainty, Statistical process control ( SPC), fundamental, advanced, short run, and service, Systematic problem solving (SPS), value stream mapping, lean manufacturing.
LOUIS T. FARAH
Bachelor of Science Major in Chemistry/Minor in Mathematics Eastern Michigan University, Master of Science Biochemistry and Physical Chemistry Eastern Michigan University
Over the past 18 years Mr. Farah has provided training and consulting in the Quality Sciences and Six Sigma Methodologies to improve Quality, Productivity, and Profitability. Some of the projects included: Using daily management, total predictive maintenance, experimental design, and lean processing techniques, to improve the productivity of various industries. Trained many Six Sigma Black Belts, and over 1000 salaried and hourly personnel in SPC, Advanced SPC and Gauge capability, Lead consultant for a major cold heading steel producer, trained entire workforce of a steel rolling mill and processing plant in Statistical Process Control ( SPC). Consulted with teams and production personnel in the use of Experimental Design, Reliability, Daily management, SPC, Data Mining, and Gauge Capability techniques.
ROBERT LIDTKE
B.S. Electrical Engineering Michigan Technological University, M.S. Administration Central Michigan University, Lean Manufacturing Certificate University of Michigan, Six Sigma Black BeltAmerican Society for Quality
Almost 30 years of experience continuously improving performance for international organizations and government, Mr. Lidtke has trained on the implementation of balanced scorecard methodology to track key performance metrics, provided consulting to reduce inventory and increase sales per employee using Kaizen approach and to reduce cost of poor quality by applying Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. In addition, he has conducted Lean assessments and corresponding maturity phase rating resulting in an action plan to improve ratings. Mr. Lidtke has facilitated numerous Kaizen events, mentored Lean Managers and reviewed Value Stream Maps to identify opportunities and prioritize project selection.
LARRY SCOTT
Bachelors, Science Education, Marshall University, Master of Science, Physical Sciences (Chemistry & Physics), Marshall University
Mr. .Scott has developed and delivered consulting and training solutions for robust process designs using DMAIC method, statistical methods like Design of Experiments and software modeling tools. Providing support for product/process optimization through team based facilitation of continuous improvement projects and effective process re-designs. Mr. Scott focuses on solutions aligned with ISO and Six Sigma standards. His experiences include transactional, manufacturing, and engineering, with organizations such as Freddie Mac Mortgage, Washington Mutual, Ford, State of Michigan, and Stat-Ease Inc.
JOHN PAUL BELANGER
B.S.E. Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan
John-Paul Belanger is certified as a Senior Level GD&T Professional by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. A veteran of classroom training and interactive televised training, Mr. Belanger has adapted the concepts of GD&T, Tolerance Stacks, and Blueprint Reading to a wide range of participants across North America and Europe. As the primary GD&T instructor for a major automotive manufacturer, he used lively and practical examples to train engineering and manufacturing personnel in the proper interpretation and application of the ASME Y14.5 standard. He has designed and developed several courses on quality and dimensional management for the aerospace and automotive industries. Recent participants in his classes come from a varied list of companies, including General Motors, IBM, Maytag, Nissan, Ford, and Motorola.
KENNETH WOODSIDE
Bachelors Arts, Finance and Economics Boston University, Masters, Social Psychology and Theology Boston University, Doctorate, Org. Development and Psychology United Theological University
Dr. Woodside’s experience has focused on assisting organizations improve their ability to operate more effectively and efficiently while meeting customer needs and expectations. He is particularly experienced in designing and implementing training and consulting interventions that focus on developing creative bottom line strategies, increase productivity and improve production effectiveness. These interventions have included senior management and line personnel in the process of developing and implementing change strategies including restructuring, lean manufacturing, quality improvement, and customer / supplier relations. Dr. Woodside has experience consulting for numerous industries such as stamping, non-profit, manufacturing, supplier development, financial/banking, automotive, healthcare, and education.
Kai Yang
M. S. and a PhD in industry engineering from the University of Michigan.
Kai Yang is a Professor in the department of Industrial and manufacturing Engineering, Wayne State University in Detroit , Michigan . He is a leading expert in the area of quality engineering, reliability engineering, Six Sigma and TRIZ. Professor Yang has been awarded over $2.5 million dollars of research contracts from such institutions as US National Science Foundation, General Motors Corporation, Ford Motor Company, DaimlerChrysler Corporation and Siemens Corporation. Professor Yang published more than 70 research papers; most of them are in high quality refereed journals. Professor Yang has more than 9 years of consulting experience. Professor Yang has written 5 books, 3 of them have already published, 2 of them are expected to finish in 2006. Professor Yang’s book, “Design for Six Sigma-A Roadmap for Product Development”, published by McGraw-Hill, is an Amazon top ranking Design for Six Sigma book, which is also considered as the most authoritative one in DFSS Field. This is the first comprehensive, technical loaded book that links creative design methods, such as axiomatic design, TRIZ, with other advanced quality methods, such as DOE, Taguchi Method, Design for X, reliability engineering and multi-objective RSM. Professor Yang’s book, “Design for Six Sigma for Service”, is the first book that link DFSS into service industry, this book provided a clear roadmap to drastically improve both the value proposition of services and service process. Currently it is a popular book in Six Sigma community.
