The Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) is pleased to present a panel of distinguished keynote speakers at its 2013 Atlanta Lean Summit Aug. 26-29. These influential leaders will share their insights on a variety of topics related to the event’s theme of “It’s All About Leadership,” exposing attendees to cutting-edge techniques and technologies for achieving and sustaining excellence.
“Our keynote speakers represent the best and brightest in the industry, and we are fortunate to offer their exclusive insider views to our participants,” said Larry Fast, event team leader. “Our attendees will receive unparalleled educational opportunities, in addition to the networking opportunities this event offers. Combined, the value of this focused workshop cannot be overlooked by organizations committed to lean operations.”
The event kicks off on Aug. 26, and at 5 p.m. on Aug. 27, Art Byrne will deliver his address, “Lean Turnaround.” Byrne is the author of “The Lean Turnaround: How Business Leaders Use Lean Principles to Create Value and Transform Their Company” and has implemented lean strategies at more than 30 companies. He is an operating partner with J.W. Childs Associates, a private equity firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations of middle-market growth companies, where he leads the implementation of lean management at Childs’ portfolio companies.
Next, Joe Barto will speak at 6:45 a.m. on Aug. 28 at a breakfast keynote titled “AME Vet Friendly.” Barto is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel. During Operation Desert Shield and Storm he was the Chief of Operations for the 25,000-soldier 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) and the Executive Office for Task Force 2-4 CAV, which led the division into the Euphrates River Valley attacking the Iraqi Republican Guards. Since then, he created and led TMG, Inc. to consistent business performance since its founding as Training Modernization Group in July 2002 and has received numerous accolades as a result.
At noon on Aug. 28, Larry Crull will speak on the topic of “Lean at FedEx Express, Air Operations.” Crull is the lean operations manager at Air Operations for FedEx Express and has worked since 2006 to improve the aircraft maintenance, engineering, material, and supply chain organizations within FedEx. He will provide his lean manufacturing and management insights gleaned while supervising nearly 10,000 global employees.
Finally, Luke Faulstick will present a closing keynote speech titled “Lean Deployment and AME” at 5:15 p.m. Aug. 28. During his tenure as chief operating officer at DJO Global, its operations teams and manufacturing plants won numerous awards, including the Shingo Prize for operational excellence, Industry Week’s Best Plants and the Association for Manufacturing Excellence Operational Excellence Award. He is currently the co-owner, president and chief executive officer of PPI, the parent company of Power Partners and has previously served as AME’s chairman and director.
Discounted summit registration is available for AME members, attendees from tour host companies, members of the Georgia Tech Consortium and companies with five or more attendees. Group hotel rates are only available through Aug. 19 when referencing the AME Southeast Room Block.
For a full schedule of events and registration information, please visit AME.org/Atlanta.
