Michigan Lean Consortium officers decide individual officer positions for 2010

Online, January 13, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Newly elected officers of the Michigan Lean Consortium, a diverse network of knowledgeable lean professionals, have recently decided the individual officer positions for 2010 amongst themselves.

Debra Setman of South Lyon, executive director of Strategy Development and Business Improvement at Johnson & Johnson, will serve as chair. Jason Schulist of Canton, director of Continuous Improvement at DTE Energy, will serve as vice-chair, which will make him the automatic chair in 2011.

The new treasurer is Willie Brown of Flint, General Motors retiree who worked in manufacturing and supplier quality. Secretary is filled by Chris Wilson of Ada, recently retired director of Operational Excellence for Amway Corporation. And Ken LePage of Canton, associate vice president of Process Excellence at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, assumes the role of member liaison.

Rick Fleming, director of the Michigan Shingo Prize through The Right Place, and Phil Berry, senior director of Continuous Improvement at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, have been appointed board members.

The mission of the MLC is to offer a diverse network of knowledgeable lean professionals who come together to share innovative practices. The organization aims to create a lean culture in Michigan to ensure sustainable competitive advantage, which could translate into healthier businesses that offer more job opportunities leading to economic growth in the state.

The charter members of the MLC include: Amway, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, DTE Energy, Johnson & Johnson, The Lean Learning Center, Northwestern Michigan College, The Pawley Learning Institute at Oakland University and the Michigan Shingo Prize through The Right Place.