KCMN Manufacturing SWOT Summit: Becoming a Manufacturing Leader of the Future Sessions

Thomas Stadtmueller, Managing Partner of KCMN Manufacturing Member, TW Automation will share his experience uncovering automation opportunities in manufacturing companies. Discover opportunities and threats to your organization related to automating or not automating processes and tasks. Learn how to begin the journey to automation and manage employee related concerns. Thomas Stadtmueller is the Managing Partner of TW Automation and brings over 10 years experience in C-Suite roles in various manufacturing companies. TW Automation is a designer and robotics integrator with over 125 years of combined industry knowledge and experience. They work with the world's three largest industrial robot manufacturers including FANUC and Yaskawa Motoman.

Leadership Development expert, Donnie Simpson will share his extensive expertise in developing talent at all levels of an organization. Identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in your current leadership development processes so you can move to an even stronger leadership team. Donnie Simpson received his MBA in Business Administration from Fort Hays State University and has continued his professional education with work in sales, management development, communications, time management and ministry. He currently is working with companies to market, develop, and implement management development programs for executives and businesses Donnie is also a certified facilitator for Development Dimensions International Inc. (DDI), a global leadership consulting and training company celebrating 50 years of innovation. Donnie has over 38 years business experience with 36 years in management positions. His experience and MBA provide the knowledge to develop and implement management programs. He also has served in a number of ministry positions leading and motivating volunteers.

Learn from two professional whose were critical in transitioning their organization from a Quality Control to a Quality Assurance culture. Hear what they did, how they managed resistance to change and challenges and successes they encounters. Conduct a SWOT analysis on your company's quality culture to uncover hidden opportunities. Melanie Dirks, Director of Quality Assurance at SOR Inc. in Lenexa, KS. She has over 25 years experience in the Quality Assurance field working in process implementation, avionics, aerospace and automotive manufacturing industries. She also has extensive experience in continuous improvement associated with Lean methodologies, change management and product development. Kelly Anders is Production Supervisor at SOR Control Inc. Kelly brings the breadth of his almost 40 years working in manufacturing to share his first hand experiences successfully enacting change.

Participation in this C-Suite Roundtable is open to manufacturing employees in C-Suite roles. The discussion will be facilitated by: Bob McCarthy, President, Holland 1916

Doug Wilson, Engineer with KCMN Manufacturing Member, Peerless Engineering and Manufacturing Co. in Kansas City, KS will share his experiences in creating a continuous improvement culture where none existed. His efforts have impacted, not only the operations side of the business, but extend to the office side as well. Doug Wilson has over 30 years experience in multiple manufacturing organizations in roles ranging from Sales and Marketing to President. He is passionate about Lean Manufacturing principals, business development and related revenue growth. Doug holds a Bachelors of Business Administration degree focused in strategic planning, business management, marketing and related services from the University of Iowa.

Whether you are just out of the 'start-up' stage of your business, 20 years into your growth stage or in the succession planning stage it is vital for you to be in control of your business and your future. This breakout will help you uncover the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in your current stage to help you make decisions to powerfully and intentionally create your desired future. John Degen is the owner of KCMN Sponsor company, Visoneers, and is a Certified Family Business Specialist whose practice focuses exclusively on business that are in their growth, mature or succession stages. John cut his teeth in the financial services industry for the past 33 years. Over the last 15 years he has refined his ability to successfully design and execute exit strategies for business owners. Many business owners find themselves wondering how they will transition from the success they have created to the kind of lasting significance they desire. As a business owner, John is very much aware of the importance of planning. And so, it is that in helping clients leave their legacy that John is shaping his own.