Bio:

Mr. Gray has extensive experience in both Quality and Operations Management, having worked 15 years supporting the automotive, aerospace, and healthcare industries. His work has shown demonstrable improvements in productivity, customer service, organizational performance, and human resources quality. He has assisted numerous organizations gain compliance and/or certification to various quality management systems, including ISO 9001, QS-9000, TS-16949, AS9100 and ISO 13485. He has developed and implemented successful Lean Manufacturing programs for manufacturing and service organizations, including the implementation of manufacturing cells, cross-training of self-directed work teams, and deployment of KanBan pull systems. Tom is an excellent facilitator, project manager, and designer of learning/training events. Tom has served on several local and national committees promoting the development of quality systems and best practices. In March 2002 he founded the Productivity Improvement Network, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping companies gain continual improvement through training and consulting services.

Detailed Experience:

Quality Management:

Tom has been involved in the establishment, implementation and maintenance of quality management systems throughout his professional career. His experience in quality management systems ranges from the requirements of ISO 9000 to sector specific requirements of the automotive industry (QS-9000 and ISO/TS-16949), the aerospace industry (AS-9100), and the medical device industry (ISO 13485).

General Quality:

Tom has successfully implemented and assisted organizations in implementing quality management systems that meet the requirements of ISO 9000. In addition, he has performed training in quality management tools and techniques such as internal auditing, problem-solving techniques, basic statistics, and customer satisfaction measurement.

Automotive Industry:

Tom has successfully implemented and assisted organizations in the implementation of quality management systems that meet the requirements of both QS-9000 and ISO/TS-16949. In addition he has performed training in quality management tools and techniques prescribed by the automotive industry such as Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Control Plans, Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), and Statistical Process Control (SPC). Tom has experience with the Ford QOS System and has conducted training for internal audit teams and problem-solving, using the Eight Discipline (8D) Process. In 1998, Tom was a member of the AIAG BMAP2 Workgroup, which added bulk material requirements to the third edition of the PPAP document. As part of the committee, Tom was on the team responsible for the requirements for Measurement Systems Analysis and Statistical Process Control.

Aerospace Industry:

Tom has successfully assisted organizations in implementing quality management systems that meet the requirements of AS9100. He has performed training in quality for internal audit teams to the requirements of AS9100. In addition, Tom has experience with the quality management system requirements of Mil-Q-9858 and Mil-Std-45208, as well as the calibration system requirements of Mil-Std-45662.

Medical Device Industry:

Tom has successfully assisted organizations in implementing quality management systems that meet the requirements of ISO 13485. In addition, he has experience working in organizations that were required to meet CFR 21 Part 820 Current Good Manufacturing Practices (FDA). He has performed training in quality for internal audit teams to the requirements of ISO 13485 and CFR 21 Part 820.

Education:

Tom has assisted school districts in the development of strategic plans and school improvement plans that help the districts meet both state and federal educational requirements, as well as the needs of the students in the district. Such plans have met the requirements of “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB), District Curriculum Accommodation Plans (DCAP) and the Massachusetts Department of Education requirements.

Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award:

Tom has both benchmarked and assisted organizations in the use of the criteria for the Malcolm Baldrige National Award for Performance Excellence. As a member of the Conference Board's Business Performance Excellence Council, he visited and benchmarked organizations around the country which have implemented the criteria or won the award. Organizations visited include, Solectron Corporation in Milpitas , CA ; Federal Express in Nashville , TN ; and Lockheed Martin Aerospace in New Orleans , LA.

In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Tom was a Senior Examiner for the 2001 Award Cycle, leading a team of approximately 10 examiners for the on-site assessment and assisting in completing the final report for the award judges.

Quality Systems Auditing:

Tom has developed Internal Auditing Programs and acted as an internal audit manager from 1995 to 1998. During this time, Mr. Gray earned his Lead Assessor Certificate (No. 7254). He teaches organizations how to transform their internal audit system to effective, value-added process auditing.

Tom has also participated as a second party auditor, as part of an exchange program for member Quality Support Group companies. He is a trained Examiner for the Massachusetts award for Performance Excellence and currently offers services as an auditor for organizations needing 2 nd party supplier audits to meet the supplier development requirements for ISO/TS-16949.

Customer Satisfaction Measurement and Analysis:

Tom has either created or used different methods to measure and/or analyze customer satisfaction. All measurements and analysis include statistical analysis of the data collected to discover areas where action is necessary and resources should be deployed to create the greatest value for the organization.

Operations Management:

During his career, Tom has been responsible for managing resources and schedules necessary for the effective operations of various organizations. Responsibilities have included

•  the planning and deployment of strategic plans and objectives,

•  the implementation of the manufacturing portion ERP systems,

•  the planning and deployment of Lean Manufacturing tools and techniques,

•  the development of leaders, managers and supervisors for growing organizations,

•  the planning, implementation and oversight of Environmental, Health and Safety Programs

•  the planning, implementation and oversight of employee training programs, and

•  the oversight of program managers.

Lean Tools and Techniques:

Tom has implemented lean tools and techniques at various organizations, helping those organizations identify and eliminate waste. He has facilitated in the use of such lean techniques such as

•  5S

•  Value Stream Mapping

•  Visual Factory Management

•  Point-of-Use Systems

•  Quality At The Source

•  Set-Up Reduction

•  Cellular Manufacturing / One Piece Workflow

•  Pull / Kan Ban Systems

Continual Improvement/Process Improvement:

Tom has deployed process improvement tools such as value stream mapping, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), control plans, and statistical techniques to increase productivity and create bottom-line savings. Cost savings have ranged from $25,000 to $250,000.

Strategic Planning:

Tom has participated and developed both strategic planning processes and strategic plans that allow organizations to identify and create action plans to meet organizational objectives. He has acted as the facilitator for organizations in their strategic planning process.

Training and Facilitation:

Tom has developed and delivered training in such areas as Internal Auditing, FMEA Development, PPAP Development, Problem-Solving Techniques, Strategic Planning, and Baldrige Concepts. He has developed and delivered training for the organizations both on-site and as part of public courses for the Quality Performance Group of New England and American Society for Quality Rhode Island Section.