MEPOL is a statewide sponsored program of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
John Brandt
Our keynote speaker John Brandt is the CEO of the MPI Group, a world leader in independent research and strategic advice in manufacturing, management and marketing. He is the author of the largest annual study of U. S. manufacturing and the first-ever large-scale study of manufacturing in China. MPI has also conducted the largest-ever study of distribution in the U.S. John is also an expert on innovation, leadership and customer-value strategies. He is the former publisher and editor-in-chief of IndustryWeek, manufacturing’s premier journal, and the former President, Publisher and Editorial Director of the Chief Executive Group, which publishes Chief Executive magazine. He is the recipient of the Neal Award, often called "the Pulitzer Prize of the business press." In his keynote address he will attempt to answer the question, "Where is the value in your business?"
Ray Bard
Ray graduated from the University of Maine with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He worked 35 years in the pulp and paper industry in the areas of engineering, maintenance, and production. During this period he functioned at various levels of management. He joined MEPOL in 2002 as Project Director, and was promoted to Director of Manufacturing Productivity. In addition to delivering lean workshops, he also assisted clients in managing and leading people, moving the worforce to a culture of standardized work, and implementing sustainable change. In October of 2008 Ray moved to Florida to be closer to family. He now works with the Florida MEP delivering lean services to manufacturers.
Ruperto Chavarri
A native of Madrid, Spain, Ruperto Chavarri has an ABD in Economics from the University Complutense of Madrid, and his Diploma in Managing Studies by the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird Management Center). He is a Certified Global Business Professional by NASBITE International. As an international trade consultant of the Louisiana SBDC, he promotes and develops international trade, and trains companies interested in going global. He teaches International Business at the University of New Orleans Executive MBA programs in New Orleans, Jamaica and Puerto Rico; and International Marketing Management to graduate and undergraduate students. Previously he was Director of the Louisiana International Trade Center of the University of New Orleans. He was Vice President of NOLA Steel Inc., the commercial branch of Spain's then, largest steel mill-ENSIDESA. He also worked at the Trade Commission of Spain in Dallas and New Orleans as Trade Analyst.
Stuart McAvoyStuart McAvoy is the UPS Customer Solutions Manager that has a staff of Solutions Engagement Resources in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. UPS Customer Solutions is a Business Unit of UPS responsible for solutions to external customers in Technology, Engineering, Finance, and Logistics Modeling. Stuart has been with UPS for 30 years, and has had various assignments including Operations Manager, Industrial Engineering Manager, and Southwest Region Engineering Coordinator for UPS Professional Services, a fee based Supply Chain consulting subsidiary of UPS. Stuart sits on the MEPOL Board of Directors, the LCMS (Louisiana Center for Manufacturing Sciences) Board of Directors, Southeastern Louisiana University's Supply Chain and Logistics Advisory Board, and also serves and has served on various other boards. Stuart has a graduate degree from Troy University and the Logistics Certification from Georgia Tech University.
Melissa Kelly-McCabe
Melissa S. Kelly-McCabe, President and CEO of Clear Intent Strategy, Inc., is a strategist, business ad visor, and dynamic public speaker. Having worked in industry and with corporate executives for over twenty years, she assists leaders and boards create clarity of strategy, cause positive and lasting change, and realize their visions. Melissa was an assistant to Dr. W. Edwards Deming for five years, researching thinking processes and teaching groups about Deming management principles. (Dr. Deming is credited with transforming Japanese management principles and causing the quality revolution.) She holds a Master's of Science in Organization Systems, focusing on Change Processes, from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelors degree in Statistics, minor in Industrial Engineering, from the University at Buffalo. Melissa completed an 18 month certificate in Gestalt therapy from Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, and is pursuing a one year certificate in Gestalt Working with Physical Process. At home in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of New York State, she spends time sculpting, skiing, gardening, and looking for bears in the woods.
Kelly Moore
Kelly has been with Syngenta for 18 years. She served as the group leader in the St. Gabriel Laboratory group until January of 2007, when she was promoted to Lean Lead. Under her leadership, Syngenta was named the 2008 Platinum Award for Continued Excellence recipient, MEPOL's award for lean transformations.
Kelly earned her Bachelor's of Science degree in chemistry from Ohio Northern University, followed by her Master's in chemistry from Wayne State. She is married to Terry, who also works at Syngenta.
Kris Pierre
Kris Pierre is the program manager and developer of the Green Supplier Network. The Green Supplier Network is a joint program from the EPA and the Department of Commerce. Ms. Pierre has been manager of the program since its inception and launch in 2004. Previously, Ms. Pierre's work has included the intersection of business and the environment through the US EPA's Environmental Accounting Project and other corporate focused programs.
Verena Radulovic
Verena Radulovic is the program manager for incorporating energy efficiency and carbon footprinting into EPA's Green Suppliers Network program offerings. Through EPA's voluntary efforts with industry, she also manages public-private partnerships that seek innovative solutions to reduce waste via greener product design/smarter post-consumer product and helps develop multi-attribute product standards.
Carmen Sunda
Carmen Sunda serves as the director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center Greater New Orleans Region. She has more than 23 years experience as a management/marketing consultant and small business advisor. Her business clients have included light manufacturing, oil field services, automotive aftermarket services, a variety of retail and wholesale businesses, architectural and engineering. She taught at both Loyola University and the University of New Orleans in the Marketing Departments. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University and her Master of Business Administration from the University of New Orleans.
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