Location
Many AME events focus on providing the right tools and techniques to the AME practitioner to improve a process. These are focused on tactical improvements and are very successful. Today’s companies need more, they need to deliver competitive advantage through process efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility.
In this interactive two-hour workshop, two organizations will share proven approaches to addressing Operational Excellence strategically. They will focus on how to identify and improve strategic core processes at an enterprise view. We will listen to the “Best of the West” when it comes to making Operational Excellence a strategic differentiator. After each presentation, we will get a chance to discuss key take-a-ways and action items.
Kaas Tailored was the recipient of the 2024 AME Excellence Award, honored for their highly effective improvement practices. Kaas Tailored’s passion is helping people reach their potential. They fund these efforts through manufacturing high quality high-mix, low volume commercial furniture. On their Lean journey for 25 years, Kaas Tailored will be sharing about their strategic approach to:
- Systems Changes
- Leadership Development.
Arizona Public Service (APS) is dedicated to generating reliable, affordable, and clean energy for approximately 1.4 million customers in Arizona. At the LeanSigma Center of Excellence (LSCoE), our mission is to provide focus, expertise, and execution of the most impactful processes, creating sustainable value. Operational Excellence (OPEX) plays a crucial role in keeping our employees engaged, fostering a culture of lean thinking, and ensuring that we maintain affordable rates while being responsible stewards of our budgets. APS Core Processes helps support OPEX's holistic, strategic management approach aimed at continuous improvement and will cover:
- Process awareness and alignment
- Gap validation and focus on largest impact projects
Tucker Kaas, HR Manager at Kaas Tailored, is the HR and Learning & Development Manager at Kaas Tailored. With over 12 years of experience within the organization, he has spent time working in nearly every area of the business, which has helped him develop the knowledge and empathy necessary to sustain and improve the kaas operating system. Tucker lives in Everett, WA with his wife Hannah and his two daughters, Eloise (7) and Lillian (5).
Scott Archibald, LeanSigma Center of Excellence Leader at Arizona Public Service, is a Lean Six Sigma professional and enthusiast with more than two decades of experience in creating and sustaining utility organizational effectiveness. As the APS LeanSigma Center of Excellence (LSCoE) Leader, Scott leads a diverse group of Lean consultants responsible for educating the organization around Lean concepts, organizational effectiveness, facilitation of improvement projects and the coaching and mentoring of APS Lean practitioners. LSCoE looks to establish a culture of everyday lean thinking by empowering employees to make small incremental improvements that equal large culture and behavior impacts to our organization and customers
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
9 a.m. Welcome
9:05 a.m. Presentation #1 – Kaas Tailored
9:55 a.m. Stretch Break
10 a.m. Presentation #2 – Arizona Public Service
10:50 a.m. Final Q&A
11 a.m. Closing
Hear about best practices from operational excellence leaders & strategies that you can explore for your organization
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence Leaders
We strive to host events that are inclusive and accessible to everyone to fully participate and engage. Please email events@ame.org if you have any questions.
If you are not already a member of AME, we invite you to join at this time. Membership benefits include complimentary and discounted event registrations throughout the entire year. To learn more about membership benefits, please visit here.
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To fully participate in an AME virtual event, a high-speed internet connection, speaker/headphones, microphone, and webcam are needed. While not required, you will have a better online experience if you do not use wireless internet service. A wired/ethernet connection will have a stronger signal than wireless. Live captioning will be available for this event. Make sure you download the Zoom Client for Meetings desktop application for the best experience. Do not use the version available through your web browser, as it has limited features. zoom.us/download.
Cancelation Policy: This event may be canceled by AME for any reason. AME is not responsible for incidental costs incurred by registrants. For paid events, registration fee less a $20 administration fee will be refunded up to one week before the event. Substitutions may be made up to three days prior to the start of the event.
