Section 1206 is off and running this program year, as we kicked off the official season on September 13 with an outstanding set of tours. If you missed this one you missed a lot, but don’t worry, sign up today for the next exciting tour and presentation which will take place at Eggers Industries in Two Rivers, and this one also promises to be a thing of beauty.

The September program was set up by your Program Chairperson, Michelle Kilgas, who returned to volunteering her time and efforts to the Winnebago Section board this program year after a few years to catch up on life. The entire board and volunteer team are extremely thankful for her return as she hit a home run on the first pitch thrown to her with the organization of the tours at the Lake Michigan Car Ferry, SS Badger. In addition, the outstanding facilities of Manitowoc Crane and the incredible equipment that they design and build, impressive! Also, getting a quick peak at the Manitowoc Ice Company and the incredible machines that they make gave all of us in attendance the chance to see the inner workings of this impressive business. For all of that, please give Michelle a big thank you when you see her at the next meeting.

I also want to mention that we had a special guest in attendance at the tour & meeting as well. Mr. Warren Hojnacki, the ASQ Region 12 Deputy Director, participated in the tours and even provided us with a nice appreciation speech at dinner. It’s the first time in my 19 years as an ASQ member that someone from the National Headquarters participated in a section meeting, and I guarantee this is not the last you will see of our leadership. I for one am grateful for their interest in our section and just as important, I am proud to share with H.Q. the fantastic work that our section leadership team has done and continues to do for our members. I think we have the best section in the society!

On a quality development related note, I don’t know if you have seen this brief news article on the ASQ website or not, however I feel it’s of great importance to all of us in the quality profession. ASQ President Roberto Saco was quoted in the article on the subject of the new addition to the Whitehouse Staff, which President Obama has appointed as “Chief Performance Officer”. This new position, CPO as it was dubbed, has responsibility within the Office of Management and Budget and is responsible for matters of expenditures, however if it also includes how work actually does or does not get done in government, Mr. Saco claims “the potential is transformational.” Yea, so what does that have to do with me, you might ask? Well, I am glad you asked, because I agree with Mr. Saco in his assessment of the situation claiming that “a new emphasis on quality would mean abundant opportunity for ASQ members to help the country bring about real change. One of ASQ’s strengths is that we encompass a wide range of sectors and industries, so in essence ASQ members can play a part in just about any aspect of the president’s call to action.” Mr. Saco goes on to say that “great crises pose great opportunities for the right leader. I’m optimistic President Obama will seize the moment and help us reformulate America’s place in the world. The possibilities are endless for those willing to reinvent themselves.”

The possibilities are endless for those of us who have weathered the storm of the recession, which many “experts” now claim ended in June of 2009. If that is true, then the residual effects should be catching up to all of us very soon, since it took 14 months for them to actually measure the results of the recession and determine that the process is now back in control. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I know I am doing my part to help boost the economy lately, and as much of that as I possibly can is done by spending locally, regionally or at least on U.S. made products, to the best of my ability.

Speaking of U.S. made products; I look forward to seeing you all at the Eggers Industries tour and subsequent meeting / presentation at the Lighthouse Inn on the shore of Lake Michigan in beautiful Two Rivers, Wisconsin.   America at its finest! 

Dave Wildner
Section Chair
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Welcome back to another program year of exciting events and activities that your section board has planned for our membership. I encourage each of you to continue the great attendance you have provided in the past program year. I believe it was one of our best, and the next two are even more interesting. Also – please do not hesitate to contact any of the board members or myself to suggest a program or even better, offer a tour and presentation of your workplace! It provides us all, and you and your work team, to share with us your own lessons learned both good and bad. It may just be a presentation on how the economy has changed the landscape of your industry or specific to your business. It may relate to how your management is doing things differently as the new world economy continues to evolve. I know in the case of my own organization, Mercury Marine, we have gone through drastic changes and are continuing to evolve as we redefine our manufacturing footprint. I am also working on a future tour and presentation here as the change has been something to be seen to grasp the full concept. Unfortunately we will not be fully “settled in” until well into 2012, but I will continue to work on the potential opportunity for us to share. 

As we move into the fall season, children are headed back to school, young adults back to their respective college lives and those of us in business and industry continue to fight the good fight to retain market share and improve our competitive advantage. Please be aware of what your professional organization has to offer in support of those endeavors. The ASQ website has multiple resources available to you, its membership, that will not only help you transpire professionally, they can help your business with the continuous improvement process as well as numerous networking opportunities. We, in the Winnebago section leadership team, have shared resources and schedules with the other regional sections, Milwaukee and Central Wisconsin for example, and have had some of their members attend our events and visa versa. I encourage you to check their program schedules, and links to their websites can be found on our website, an easy ride down the information super highway. 

I look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming meetings. Please also know, you are welcome to attend any board meeting to either offer your opinion, or just listen and observe, no obligation needed (we do not do a hard sell for volunteers, we have plenty of great / talented people on the team and more interested in future positions) however you are also welcome to be considered for a spot on our board. Remember, the board meets every 4th Monday of the month from 5:00-7:00 PM and presently we are staying at our previous location in Appleton. Give me a call if you’re interested. 

Dave Wildner
Section Chair / Winnebago / # 1206
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