

In the powerful worlds of continuous improvement and product development, problems are to be celebrated, not ignored! Join us as we discuss simple problem solving and examine the tools and techniques for more effective problem management.
Our panel discussion will cover but not limited to:
Register today and become a better problem solver.
Colin Pugh, Kwik Trip, Inc.
Colin Pugh joined Kwik Trip in 2019 as the Process Improvement Manager. He is responsible for leading Lean transformation across the Dairy, Bread & Bun, Kitchens and Sweet Bakery plants through training and implementation of continuous improvement tools, techniques and philosophies to bring about meaningful, tangible positive change. Prior to joining Kwik Trip, Colin held several positions over 14 years with Irish Food and Beverage company, Kerry Inc. Ranging from Continuous Improvement Manager to Division Director of Operations with operational responsibility for multiple manufacturing plants. Colin, a British native, has worked in the UK, Ireland and several Mid-West States.
Scott Wellens, Johnson Controls
Scott has been with Tyco/Johnson Controls for over 5 years as the Operational Excellence Manager. In his role, he has overseen the continuous improvement efforts across both manufacturing campus/facilities located in Marinette and helped the plant achieve JCMS level 3.
Scott has over 27 years of experience in Process Improvement, Project Management, Engineering and Manufacturing leadership. The Tyco/Johnson Controls team has a well-documented process improvement journey that includes adopting the Johnson Controls Manufacturing System ‘playbook’ for best practices across nine different principles. One of these manufacturing practices include simple problem solving and root cause analysis. I look forward to sharing what we have learned and hopefully, you can translate these improvements to your organization.
Optima’s Leaders Roundtable group provides Executive CI Leaders an opportunity to meet other CI Leaders and learn from one another. Members of each Roundtable group are from non-competing organizations who have been on the Continuous Improvement journey and are willing to share their successes and their struggles along the way. Discussions help members to determine strengths and weaknesses in their organization’s CI journey and to gauge where their organization is at on the CI journey. Members not only get the chance to share their knowledge and experience, but also get to “sharpen the saw” by benefiting from others’ knowledge and experience. Roundtable groups meet quarterly.
The Paradigm President’s Group in MN and the Paradigm Group in ND were designed to foster strong relationships between our members and to unlock the value of real-world best practices. We meet monthly for ½ day at a member site and this is an opportunity for each member to benchmark the best practices (and the not so best practices) of other companies. Members, in utmost confidentiality, discuss their successes and failures and ask their fellow members for advice and analysis.