The 20TH ANNUAL ASQ LEAN-SIGMA CONFERENCE AT SIUC will be held Thursday, April 16, 2026 on the 2nd floor of the S.I.U.C. campus Student Center, 1225 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m., sessions start at 8:45 a.m. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.s:
Registration Rates:
$100 for Professionals
$40 for Faculty / Staff,
$15 for Students
Topics / Speakers:
Ahead of the Curve: An Exploration and Hands-On Demonstration of Learning Curves, Dr. Gregory DeYong, Associate Professor, College of Business and Analytics – SIUC.
This presentation explores the learning process from both experimental and mathematical perspectives to examine how performance, measured in cost, quality, and output, improves with experience. Participants will gain insight into learning curve models, how to interpret and apply them, and how organizations can use these concepts to forecast performance, optimize processes, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Changing Quality Theater into Reality, Randy Keen, Quality Manager, Radiac Abrasives.
This talk examines the gap between “quality theater”, where processes and metrics exist only for appearances, and true, value-driven quality practices. The session will explore how organizations can move beyond checklists and superficial compliance to build meaningful quality systems that drive real improvement. Attendees will learn how to align quality initiatives with business outcomes and create a culture where continuous improvement is embedded in everyday operations.
Continuous Improvement at Healthcare Company: PDSA Cycle, Mahasin Haqq, Heather Ruhe, Keera Clarke, Continuous Improvement Specialists, Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH).
At SIH, Patient Care Improvement Boards support structured, departmental-level problem solving using the PDSA (Plan–Do–Study–Act) cycle to test changes, evaluate outcomes, and drive sustainable improvements in patient care and operations. This session will be an interactive, hands-on workshop where participants apply the PDSA cycle to a practical problem and gain experience in structured continuous improvement.
Energy Efficiency as a Component of Quality, Chad Whitehead, Senior Project Manager, GDS Associates Inc.
This presentation explores how energy efficiency can be integrated into quality management as a key performance dimension. It highlights the connection between efficient resource use, process consistency, cost reduction, and environmental responsibility. Attendees will learn how improving energy efficiency not only reduces waste and operating costs but also enhances overall product and process quality, supporting more sustainable and competitive operations.
Fix the Process Before You Fund the Technology, Leia Ruebling, Process Optimization Consultant, Illuminative Strategies Inc.
State governments frequently invest millions in new technology systems, only to discover that inefficient processes were simply automated rather than improved. This presentation explores how Lean and Six Sigma methodologies can be applied to government operations to eliminate waste, clarify requirements, and stabilize processes before technology implementation begins through real-world modernization examples.
From Process Maturity to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Success, Sepehr H. Gashti, Process Optimization Consultant, Illuminative Strategies Inc.
Many AI initiatives fall short not because the technology is lacking, but because underlying processes, requirements, and data are not well understood or properly defined. This session highlights how process maturity provides the foundation needed for successful AI implementation, enabling organizations to establish clear workflows, reliable data practices, and well-defined objectives.
Leadership Challenge, Dr. Bruce DeRuntz, Professor and Director, Leadership Development Program, College of Engineering, Computing, Technology & Mathematics – SIUC.
Explore the core principles of The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner, focusing on the proven five practices of exemplary leadership. This session will provide practical strategies for inspiring, motivating, and leading teams to success. Whether you’re an experienced leader or just starting out, you’ll gain valuable tools to enhance your leadership journey.
Lean in a Services Environment, Chuck Underwood, Quality Manager – Intel Account, Amentum.
This talk explores how Lean principles can be effectively applied beyond manufacturing and into service-based organizations. Examples will illustrate how Lean thinking can improve responsiveness, quality, and value delivery in areas such as healthcare, finance, logistics, and administrative services. Participants will gain practical insights on adapting Lean methods to the unique challenges of service environments.
Occupational Safety & Health Trends Update, Lori Amerman, Operations Coordinator, Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC).
In this session, the presenter will provide an overview of current trends and best practices in the field of occupational safety and health management, including the latest updates related to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulatory compliance. The session will also highlight emerging challenges, recent regulatory changes, and practical strategies for maintaining compliance, improving workplace safety culture, and reducing risk in diverse settings.
Quality Engineering: What Isn’t Taught in School, Chris Sons, Production Manager, PTI-QCS.
This presentation explores the gap between academic preparation and real-world practice in quality engineering. While foundational tools and methods are essential, many critical skills such as navigating ambiguity, influencing cross-functional teams, and applying judgment in complex situations are often developed on the job. The session highlights practical insights, lessons learned, and the soft skills needed to succeed in today’s dynamic quality environments.
Reliability, James Virgini, Director of Automation Engineering, Amazon.
This talk explores how Amazon designs, operates, and maintains highly reliable automation systems across its fulfillment and logistics network. It will highlight the technologies behind robotics, automated sorting, and warehouse management systems, as well as the strategies used to ensure uptime, scalability, and resilience. The session will also discuss common challenges such as system failures, maintenance, and human-machine interaction.
Risk-Based Decision Making: When Your Brain Becomes the Biggest Risk, Gabriel Smith, Quality Engineer Lead, John Deere.
Our brains are powerful—but imperfect. Risk-Based Decision Making helps us recognize cognitive biases, ask more effective questions, and rely on relevant data to make informed decisions with greater confidence. It also encourages a structured approach to evaluating uncertainty, balancing risks and opportunities, and improving the consistency and quality of decision-making in complex environments.
Six Sigma Project on Increasing Enrollment at School of Applied Engineering & Technology, Charles Ferro, Industrial Management & Applied Engineering (IMAE) Student, SIUC.
In this presentation, a student leading a Six Sigma Black Belt project will share key experiences and lessons learned from an initiative aimed at increasing student enrollment. The talk will highlight the application of the DMAIC methodology and the use of tools such as process mapping, root cause analysis, and data-driven decision-making to identify challenges and implement improvements.
Stop Starting, Start Finishing: The Lean Dot Simulation, Barton Welker, Senior Process Architect, Illuminative Strategies Inc.
Experience firsthand why busy systems fail and how excess work-in-process (WIP) silently disrupts flow, degrades quality, and diminishes customer value. Through three fast-paced simulation rounds, you will feel the contrast between push-driven chaos and Lean flow. The session will also introduce practical facilitation techniques and tools that you can apply immediately to improve process performance, enhance team understanding, and drive meaningful continuous improvement.
Supply Chain Resilience: Post-COVID Lessons That Stuck, Shawn Batka, Vice President – Supply Chain Operations, Blistex.
A short presentation addressing key issues in supply chain management. The presenter, along with other panelists, will discuss challenges related to the coordination and organization of supply chain operations, as well as how these processes have evolved in the post-COVID environment. The session will also highlight dual sourcing versus cost pressure, nearshoring trends, safety stock strategy shifts, and supplier visibility and tier-2 risk.
The Forgotten Seven: Why the Simplest Tools Still Solve Problems, Jesse Stevenson, Adjunct Professor, College of Engineering, Computing, Technology & Mathematics – SIUC.
In an era of advanced analytics and AI, the 7 Basic Quality Tools are often underestimated or overlooked, despite serving as the foundation of effective problem-solving. This session highlights their enduring value and demonstrates how mastering these fundamentals leads to clearer root cause identification, more focused improvement efforts, and more sustainable results. Participants will also see how these tools provide a practical framework.
Conference Schedule:
Breakfast and Welcome Ceremony (8:00 AM – 8:45 AM)
Morning Sessions (8:45 AM – 11:00 AM)
- Leadership Challenge
- Occupational Safety & Health Trends
- Ahead of the Curve: An Exploration and Hand-on Demonstration
- Six Sigma Project on Increasing Enrollment at School of AE&T
Break (9:45 AM – 10:00 AM)
Midday Sessions (10:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
- Continuous Improvement at Healthcare Company: PDSA Cycle
- Risk-Based Decision Making: When Your Brain Becomes the Biggest Risk
- The Forgotten Seven: Why the Simplest Tools Still Solve Problems
- From Process Maturity to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Success
Break (11:00 AM – 11:15 PM)
Midday Sessions (11:15 AM – 12:15 PM)
- Fix the Process Before You Fund the Technology
- Quality Engineering: What Isn’t Taught in School
- Reliability
- Lean in a Services Environment
Break (12:15 PM – 1:15 PM)
Keynote (1:15 PM – 2:15 PM)
Performance in Government is a Systems Problem, not a Tool Problem
Break (2:15 PM – 2:30 PM)
Afternoon Sessions (2:30 PM – 3:30 PM)
- Energy Efficiency as a Component of Quality
- Changing Quality Theater into Reality
- Stop Starting, Start Finishing: The Lean Dot Simulation
- Supply Chain Resilience: Post-COVID Lessons That Stuck
Wrap up the day with a Networking Event (3:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
Whether you’re focused on operations, leadership, or innovation, there’s a session tailored for you.