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http://practicinglean.com

https://louisebatz.org

Summary written by Cameron Stark, author of Chapter 12

Bio: Lesa Nichols has spent over two decades guiding organizations to improved performance by applying the principles of the Toyota Production System (TPS) and Lean.

As a key leader for Toyota North America, she led teams to analyze and solve the toughest operational problems within Toyota, including the preparation and launch of new vehicles, plants and production methods. After leaving Toyota, Lesa spent four years helping clients of the Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership (GBMP) to achieve successful enterprise-level improvements.

In 2013, Lesa created her firm, Lesa Nichols Consulting (LNC). Currently, she and her team help companies understand how and why to utilize principles of TPS and Lean as a competitive operations management system.

Lesa lives in Louisville and can be found at [Lesanicholsconsulting.com](http://Lesanicholsconsulting.com) as well as [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesanichols).

Bio: Jamie Flinchbaugh is a lean advisor, speaker, and author, who has advised over 300 companies on their lean journey, from the board of directors and C-Suite to the front-line. He is a co-author of *[The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Lean]( http://amzn.to/2bNmujC)*. You can find him online at [JFlinch.com](http://www.jflinch.com).

Bio: Jamie Flinchbaugh is a lean advisor, speaker, and author, who has advised over 300 companies on their lean journey, from the board of directors and C-Suite to the front-line. He is a co-author of *[The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Lean]( http://amzn.to/2bNmujC)*. You can find him online at [JFlinch.com](http://www.jflinch.com).

Bio: Mike Leigh is the President and Founder of OpX Solutions, LLC, a consulting company that specializes in helping manufacturers and other organizations pursue Operational Excellence through leadership development and process improvement.

Mike has spent most of his 30-year career in various operational leadership roles. Prior to starting his own business, he worked as a manufacturing leader and a Lean leader for General Electric, building industrial gas turbines and wind turbines for the energy industry. Before that, Mike served 10 years on active duty in the US Navy, specializing in surface warfare and nuclear propulsion. He eventually retired from the Navy Reserve as a Commander.

Mike has a B.S. degree in Computer Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and anan M.S. degree from Troy State University in Human Resource Management. He also qualified as a Nuclear Engineer in the US Navy.

Mike and his family live in Roanoke, VA. You can contact him at [email protected], or [connect with him on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighmichael1).

Bio: Mike Leigh is the President and Founder of OpX Solutions, LLC, a consulting company that specializes in helping manufacturers and other organizations pursue Operational Excellence through leadership development and process improvement.

Mike has spent most of his 30-year career in various operational leadership roles. Prior to starting his own business, he worked as a manufacturing leader and a Lean leader for General Electric, building industrial gas turbines and wind turbines for the energy industry. Before that, Mike served 10 years on active duty in the US Navy, specializing in surface warfare and nuclear propulsion. He eventually retired from the Navy Reserve as a Commander.

Mike has a B.S. degree in Computer Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and anan M.S. degree from Troy State University in Human Resource Management. He also qualified as a Nuclear Engineer in the US Navy.

Mike and his family live in Roanoke, VA. You can contact him at [email protected], or [connect with him on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighmichael1).

Andy Sheppard helps businesses to transform their manufacturing operations and serves as a technical advisor to Lean specialists. He is the author of “The Incredible Transformation of Gregory Todd: a Novel about Leadership and Managing Change.” (http://amzn.to/23gUgQk)

Andy Sheppard helps businesses to transform their manufacturing operations and serves as a technical advisor to Lean specialists. He is the author of “The Incredible Transformation of Gregory Todd: a Novel about Leadership and Managing Change.” (http://amzn.to/23gUgQk)