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Josh Johnston, Continuous Improvement Coach, Sartorius BioAnalytical Instruments Inc.
It was early on in his schooling that Josh realized that his true passion lied at the intersection of people and process. Too social for many classic engineering disciplines, and too technical for a business track, Josh earned his BSE in Industrial & Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan College of Engineering, along with a certificate in Sustainable Engineering. He also achieved Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification through the University of Michigan. Throughout his college career, he had the opportunity to work with in a variety of manufacturing settings with companies such as Johnson Controls, Johnson & Johnson, and Perrigo Pharmaceuticals. After graduating, Josh started his career at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan with their Business Efficiency & Continuous Improvement team where he focused on improving process in many facets, ranging from call center operations, prior authorization programs, IT, and group business sales.
Starting in January of 2022, Josh returned to the world of manufacturing and is now a Continuous Improvement Coach for the North American Laboratory and Bioprocess Products and Services (LPS) division of Sartorius in Ann Arbor, MI. In his current role, he supports three different NA sites in the manufacturing of electrooptical medical research equipment. In addition to coaching site leadership in Lean manufacturing and management practices, he facilitates the methodical identification and elimination of problems to provide customer the highest quality product, at the most affordable price, in the timeliest manner.
Josh lives with his wife and pets (dog, cat & gecko), in beautiful Ann Arbor, MI where he can be found learning/playing a new, all too confusing board game with friends or cheering on the Wolverines every Saturday.
Lean Transformation of an Electrooptical Manufacturing SiteHow can you double throughput with only a 12% increase in staff resources? What if I told you that the answer is already out on the floor, in the heads of your staff? In this session, learn how to get “buy in through involvement” and capitalize on the power of bottom-up idea generation from front line workers. We’ll discuss how to build effective daily management practices (regardless of industry), and how it can serve as a vehicle for accelerated problem solving and sitewide communication of ideas or issues. Bring your own daily management stories and/or current practices to share so that we can all learn from each other!
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Jennifer VanHorssen, Innovation and Continuous Improvement Lead
City of Grand Rapids
Everyone deserves opportunities to include their voice and have their experiences and needs acknowledged as real and valuable. As a mother, community member and experienced facilitator, Jennifer finds joy in helping people create the environment to engage in collaborative thinking, learning and action.
She believes learning is social and that the most impactful growth happens when new combinations of people engage in dialog, thinking, and sharing from their lived experiences – resulting in the emergence of new ideas and opportunities to test and try.
Jennifer is a human service professional with over fifteen years of experience supporting complex projects involving engagement of multiple stakeholders. She brings a passion for learning new ideas/methods, a curiosity for applying skills to new settings, and drive for focusing on authentic and relationships among people in creative and engaging ways.
Jennifer is currently serving as the Innovation and Continuous Improvement Lead for the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She holds a bachelor’s in education from Northern Arizona University, a master’s in Public Administration from Grand Valley State University, and a master’s certificate in Design and Innovation Management from Kendal College of Art and Design at Ferris State University.
Collaboration and Alignment Across Industries
Today, collaboration and alignment across industries and segments are a must. The City of Grand Rapids and Dematic, Inc. are working hand-in-hand to learn, replicate, and share Lean, transformation, and creativity to empower their teams. We are also aligning with Universities and other organizations to ensure the latest research and thinking are being incorporated. Monthly engagements in the “Innovation Underground”, sharing sessions after recent innovative or milestones, and sharing outside consultative notes are just some of what WE are doing together to change the cultures of two double-century old organizations. Come learn, share your thoughts, and have candid-open discussion with Jennifer and Rob, as well as some of their innovation/change leaders!
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Rob Pease, Senior Director, CI
DEMATIC
Rob Pease is Senior Director, Continuous Improvement for the Americas region.
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Rob drives the region's culture of continuous improvement through standardized processes and methodology. He helps to identify and support opportunities for improvement in accuracy, timeliness, and efficiency and provides value to stakeholders regarding safety, cost, quality, and service, enabling the Americas region to execute with excellence.
Rob joined Dematic in 2022. He began in the US military as a nuclear engineer and has spent the past 20 years working in operational or continuous improvement leadership roles in local government, service, non-profit, food, furniture, and agricultural sectors.
Rob holds a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Change Leadership from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in Business, with an emphasis on leadership from the University of Phoenix. He is also a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, Certified Lean Champion, and Certified Systems and Quality Leader.
Collaboration and Alignment Across Industries
Today, collaboration and alignment across industries and segments are a must. The City of Grand Rapids and Dematic, Inc. are working hand-in-hand to learn, replicate, and share Lean, transformation, and creativity to empower their teams. We are also aligning with Universities and other organizations to ensure the latest research and thinking are being incorporated. Monthly engagements in the “Innovation Underground”, sharing sessions after recent innovative or milestones, and sharing outside consultative notes are just some of what WE are doing together to change the cultures of two double-century old organizations. Come learn, share your thoughts, and have candid-open discussion with Jennifer and Rob, as well as some of their innovation/change leaders!
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Holly Plaga, Operational Excellence (OpEx) Manager
Orchid Orthopedic Solutions
While in college, Holly began working directly with people and how they used space. She soon evolved into the manufacturing environment, where she was taught the Theory of Constraints and Lean. This background has enabled Holly to work across the industry and across North America as an effective Lean Practitioner for over twenty years.
Holly learned early in her career that the key to success was planning and communication. Therefore, she focused much of her efforts on learning various types of strategic planning and strategic communications. Holly is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. She has both her Bachelor’s in Human
Environment and Design and her Master’s in Management, Strategy, and Leadership from Michigan State University.
These days Holly spends most of her time coaching Senior Leaders on Lean Leadership and facilitating strategy sessions. However, don’t be surprised if she doesn’t sneak away and work with team members at the Gemba to make their lives a little more fun!
Holly lives in Haslett, Michigan, with her family, where she enjoys creating gardens and eating as much chocolate as humanly possible.
How a novice can facilitate effective Strategic Planning (Hoshin Kanri)
Over the years, many have tried to implement the practice of Strategic Planning (Hoshin Kanri), only to have the work tucked into a drawer or completely abandoned. Choose this fun, hands-on session with Holly Plaga to learn about Strategic Planning (Hoshin Kanri), how to avoid pitfalls, and lastly, how to successfully implement the practice within your organization.
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Brad Brown, Deputy Chief of Support Services
Grand Rapids Fire Department
Brad started his fire service career in 1996 and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Support Services for the Grand Rapids, MI fire department, Chief Operating Officer for Invica Performance Improvement, LLC, and Senior Consultant for Fitch and Associates. A lifelong learner, Dr. Brown holds an Ed.D. in organizational leadership and development from Cornerstone University and has earned Lean champion, chief fire officer, and executive fire officer certifications. He has presented numerous times over the past decade for the Michigan Lean Consortium, the American Society for Quality, the Association for Manufacturing Excellence, and the Center for Public Safety Excellence. When not learning or working, Brad enjoys spending time on the family farm with his wife, two kids, and way too many animals.
Improving Performance with Relational Coordination
Understanding the 7 dimensions of relational coordination and strategies to strengthen them can assist with deepening relationships on your team and ultimately performance. Daily huddles and weekly one on one meetings will be examined as ways to facilitate this process.
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