AME announces keynote speakers for Jacksonville conference

Jacksonville conference offers attendees the opportunity to learn from leaders and thinkers in the Lean industry.

By AME August 11, 2014

The Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) announces the keynote speakers that will present at the 2014 AME Excellence Inside conference. The conference, taking place Nov. 10-14  in Jacksonville, FL., offers attendees the opportunity to learn from leaders and thinkers in the Lean industry.

Each keynote presentation offers a unique take on the conference theme, "Strategic Success through People-Powered Excellence." Speakers include:

James Bonini, vice president of Toyota Production System Support Center at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, will deliver a keynote address that examines Toyota’s ongoing development of its Toyota Production System while discussing the challenging roles that senior leadership must contend with while implementing it.

Billy Taylor, director of commercial manufacturing in North America at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, will focus on the importance of not only fully realizing your corporate brand, but effectively communicating it. Taylor will discuss how clearly conveying the importance of the company’s vision to employees and stakeholders can have an incredible effect on any organization’s improvement strategies.

Jerry Bussell, president of Lean Associates LLC, will delve into how to inspire organization-wide change that resonates with every employee and stakeholder. Beyond superficial pep talks, Bussell will present strategies for inspiring long-lasting, positive change and discuss the importance of motivating leadership at all levels.

Cheryl Cran will examine the importance of the modern "race for talent," discussing the challenge of finding and keeping great employees in today’s highly competitive market. She will look at the values that are relevant to different generations of workers and examine the importance of creating competitive strength and expanding our capacity for innovation.

Carey Lohrenz is known for being the first woman to become an F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy. During her keynote, Lohrenz will relate her lessons for succeeding under incredible pressure, discussing the importance of dedication and inspiration in leadership roles, and the challenge of making command decisions with integrity.

Simon Sinek is an ethnographer and adjunct staff member of the well-respected think tank, the RAND Corporation. He will discuss the importance of creating a work culture that’s conducive to community and teamwork, empowering each team member to accomplish work that inspires and invests them in the continuing success of their organization.

Erik Wahl is an internationally recognized graffiti artist, author and speaker. He will focus on how stepping outside of our comfort zones can lead to disruptive innovation. His presentation emphasizes the importance and power of creativity outside traditional settings.

Janet Lapp has worked in a variety of roles in healthcare for more than 30 years, created her own highly rated television show and worked extensively with the Center for Leadership Development. In her keynote presentation, Lapp will focus on empowerment in leadership roles, discussing the importance of recognizing opportunity when it arrives and thriving in the face of fast-paced change.

AME is a content partner of CFE Media. Edited by Joy Chang, Digital Project Manager, CFE Media, jchang(at)cfemedia.com.