Where's Willie?

This week on Where’s Willie? we travel to Rockford, Illinois to the home of RJ Link International Inc. to speak to their Vice President of Business Development, Terry McCormick. Terry is a tech-head who admits that he just loves making things, having been in manufacturing, quality, and operational management for the past 30 years. He has spent a lot of that time in gearing and hydraulics. His background has given him a springboard to traverse the areas of strategies and business management. Willie and Terry talk about increasing growth and profitability, how to tie responsiveness and value back to the customer, and aligning a business process to encourage these areas. Terry has a degree in mechanical engineering and since then, has done a lot in the world of manufacturing. The conversation covers some examples of how the company works with customers to meet their custom gearbox needs, their ideal types of customer relationships, Terry’s belief in Lean Six Sigma, and some of the exciting new technologies for the field. Terry also comments on his personal emphasis on learning and listening, sharing how these areas keep him energized on a daily basis. For all this and more, tune in to Episode #3!____________________________________________________________________________For more on RJ Link, visit https://www.rjlink.com/. To connect with Terry McCormick on LinkedIn, click here.____________________________________________________________________________To keep up with your host, William Miller, follow him on Twitter @williekoganei and on Instagram @williekoganei_

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In this week’s episode of Where’s Willie? we have our first interview with Jackie Luciano, the Vice President of Manufacturing Operations at ZaGO Manufacturing in Newark, NJ. ZaGO is a producer of sustainable, high-tech, self-sealing solutions and components that has been in business for almost two decades. Jackie’s story is really inspiring, working her way up through the company from her initial position as a part-time bookkeeper. As her role has grown over the years, she has played an integral part in the company’s growth and evolution. Jackie is highly skilled in management, customer service, sales, strategy planning, business development, lean practices, and continuous improvement practices. ZaGo places a big emphasis on paying it forward and sustainability, something they live out through their different community programs. For a wonderful conversation with a truly inspiring guest, tune in!____________________________________________________________________________Guest, Jackie Luciano Jackie Luciano, Vice President of Manufacturing Operations: Received Bachelors of Science in Business Management 2002 from Rutgers University, Newark New Jersey, in 2017 received Executive MBA in Finance and in 2019 received Green Belt Certification for Lean Six Sigma, both from Rutgers University, Newark New Jersey.  For over 11 years, Jackie Luciano has played an integral role in the growth and evolution of Newark-based ZaGO Manufacturing, a producer of sustainable high-tech sealing solutions and components used globally in industries like robotics, electronics, LED exterior lighting, medical devices, transportation, and others. Jackie started as a part-time bookkeeper re-entering the workforce after having a child and quickly started to learn all the ins and outs of the business.  After 5 years, she was appointed General Manager/Marketing Director and after completing her MBA at Rutgers she was appointed V.P. of Operations.  Jackie is highly skilled in Management, Customer Service, Sales, Strategic Planning, Business Development, LEAN practices and Continuous Improvement practices.  Part of her mission is in paying it forward both internally through training and development opportunities and externally through community service projects. This includes a new endeavor, ZaGO Sustainability 360, which promotes sustainable practices and STEM education and manufacturing as viable pathways for success. ____________________________________________________________________________Connect with Jackie Luciano on LinkedIn and follow ZaGO on Twitter at @ZaGOMfgCo 

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The first episode of Where's Willie is finally here! In the debut episode, host, William Miller, talks about how this podcast was born out of his love for the magic of manufacturing. He shares a bit about how he got to where he is today, his career at Koganei America International Inc., and what listeners can expect from future episodes!Along his amazing journey, Willie has met many amazing and brilliant leaders that have a story to share, and who give a face to the already fantastic world of product manufacturing! These are the people you will meet on the show, so tune in to join Willie and his incredible guests.Episodes are available to download on iTunes and Podbean. Visit whereswilliepodcast.com for more.Follow along on Facebook @whereswilliepodcast, on Instagram at @whereswilliepodcast, and on Twitter at @whereswilliepod 

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