Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of joining the AME Champions Club for a remarkable visit to O.C. Tanner in Salt Lake City, a company internationally recognized for its people-centric leadership and commitment to workplace excellence.
Throughout the visit, we witnessed firsthand how O.C. Tanner’s deep investment in people has cultivated an engaged and high-performing workforce. Their workplace culture resonates with values AME deeply appreciates — respect for people, collaboration and continuous improvement.
From their open and inclusive workspaces to a strong focus on employee development and belonging, it’s clear that O.C. Tanner doesn’t just talk about culture — they live it. Their leadership philosophy, centered on honoring the individual, resonated deeply with all of us in attendance.
We were especially inspired by Gary Peterson, executive vice president of supply chain and production, who shared his insights on engaging workplace cultures and O.C. Tanner’s lean journey from its inception to the present day. Even more impactful was his personal leadership journey, where he emphasized that today’s leaders must “grow the culture rather than just the operation.” His honesty about the discipline required to step back and let others lead problem-solving efforts highlighted the humility and leadership that define their organization.
Our visit was made possible by Dave Siebert, AME Southwestern Board member and vice president of manufacturing and supply chain at O.C. Tanner. Dave, along with Gary, demonstrated servant leadership in action and exemplified the absolute best of what AME stands for.
One best practice that stood out during our visit was O.C. Tanner’s approach to inclusive problem-solving. Every team member actively participates in identifying and implementing improvements.
They also provided a unique window into their hiring process by allowing Champions Club members to experience one of their candidate evaluation techniques. Prospective hires are observed solving a process problem collaboratively, not to determine who solves it best, but to observe how individuals interact, support and communicate with one another. They prioritize hiring for attitude and cultural fit, trusting that technical skills can be developed.
Our experience at O.C. Tanner was both inspiring and affirming. It underscored how aligned our AME values are with the real-world practices of leading organizations that prioritize people and continuous improvement. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have participated in this visit and look forward to sharing more insights with our AME community.
It is not too late to join us for the AME St. Louis 2025 International Conference in October, where you will see more examples of best practices in action — whether in the tours, workshops or practitioner sessions. You can also look forward to world-class keynote speakers who will inspire and energize you. I look forward to seeing you all there.
Finally, we love to share fun facts about our AME members. This week, I want to share that AME Southeastern Board member, Paul Todd, will be in the movie "The Naked Gun," coming out August 1st. If you have a fun fact you would like me to share, please reach out at khumphrey@ame.org.
As always, please stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
