Lyle Yutzy's personal website

Plant Manager

Summary

"Fail to Plan - Plan to Fail"... "Whether you think you CAN or think you CAN'T, you're right"..."Get on your knees and pray then get on your feet and work." These three phrases are guiding forces in my life. Life's not complicated if you know who you are and what you stand for.

I'm proud of my career as a Plant Manager. Three jobs in 20 + years demonstrates my dedication, stability and loyalty. My employers and employees know it and whether I have 50 or 150 employees I deliver the same results. Operations Management is about optimizing the process through waste removal. Cultural transformation is about trust and leadership. I like surrounding myself with people of character; skill is teachable. My motto is be humble, be hungry and always be the hardest worker in the room!

Timeline

2018 - 2025

Master of Science in Lean Manufacturing, Kettering University

Expected Graduation 2021
2018 - 2025

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, Villanova University

Operations Management and Supervision
2005 - 2025

Plant Manager, Peak Asphalt, Rawlins, Wyoming
2000 - 2005

Plant Manager, SI Corporation, Genesee, Idaho
1991 - 2000

Industrial Engineer, Boeing, Everett, Wa.
1988 - 1991

Operations Management, B.S. Degree, University of Idaho

Minor in Psychology

Experience Highlights

AWARDS

SAFETY, PRODUCT QUALITY, PRODUCTIVITY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND cost reduction.
ABILITY TO LINK EMPLOYEE BEHAVIORS TO KPI'S

Education Highlights

BS DEGREE OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

university OF IDAHO
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN LEAN MANAGEMENT

excellent career choice and wonderful example for my four children to see the value of education.
LEAN SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT CERTIFICATION

I'm proud to be completing this certification.Â I've used lean tools for years; it's exciting!

Interests

USA YOUTH WRESTLING

Our family has devoted six years and traveled over 20,000 miles so the boys could learn and compete.
BOW HUNTING

I've hunted since i WAS 14 YEARS OLD.Â bow hunting IF FAR MORE CHALLENGING AND REWARDING THAN RIFLE

Results

Zero

NO QUALITY PENALTY'S LAST 7 YEARS 25k YOY
40K

YOY PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE COST REDUCTION
50+

Direct and indirect employees
30M

gross revenue
-99%

reduction in incident rate 244 TO 2
28%

Reduced workforce turnover
$5M

Capitol Projects
350%

Improved machine uptime. reduced fixed cost by 40%
20+

Years Leading, Coaching, Mentoring, Sr. management

Skills

lean six sigma black belt cert
1
LEAN MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT
18
supply chain management
20+
cross functional team leading
20+
continuous improvement
20+
regulatory compliance
18
quality assurance
20+
operational excellence
20+
project planning
20+
Cultural transformation
18
High Analytical Skills
20+
Coaching and Mentoring
18
Leadership
20+
Lean tools and techniques
18
Public Speaking
20+
Project Management
18

Questions & Answers

Thoughts on how I manage and treat others...

I'm consistent with positive feedback and 80% of feedback should be positive. If you are going to reprimand and give negative input; always start with something positive. You will always get more beeâ€™s with honey! As President Roosevelt used to say, â€œspeak softly, but carry a big stick." Never let them see you sweat! You can control your attitude and as a Plant Manager, it should always be positive. Employees want a confident leader.Â If you canâ€™t handle a situation professionally and respect the individual; you DO NOT want to address the situation until you are emotionally ready and prepared in your mind. Itâ€™s a good idea to sleep over a troubling decision concerning an employee. Donâ€™t be in a rush to make a critical decision when it comes to people. I find sleeping over it, usually helps to settle on the best decision.Â Always utilize your network to look for guidance on particular situations. Donâ€™t be afraid to ask for help concerning employee decisions.Â Always be clear and concise with your message to your people and donâ€™t over complicate matters. Keep it short, sweet, and on target.Â Everyone should know how they make a difference.Â Address negative people, or Nay Sayers immediately. Do not address them publicly, this conversation needs to be behind closed doors. They must understand that their behavior is not acceptable and wonâ€™t be tolerated if it continues.Â Never talk about other employees of the company in front of other employees.Â

Why would I consider relocating?

I'm looking to advance my career. Even though I love Wyoming I need a new challenge for myself and my career aspirations. My current position has very little upward mobility options for advancement. I'd also like to live in a warmer climate! Another motivating reason is that I would like my sons to be able to experience other parts of the country and learn that stability is in the family not just a home in a particular location. Additionally, one of my adopted sons needs access to counseling services which will support his development and work through the past traumas of his birth family. The options we have in Wyoming are limited and in order to help him progress and become the person he's capable of being; we want to relocate to an area that will meet those needs.Â Fortunately, his adoption benefits provide his own insurance and now we just need to have access to the correct professionals.

Why hire character vs. skill?

The right attitude, drive, and energy level can propel a person toward their goals much faster than a person who doesn't have a desired future state. I believe that if you have someone who demonstrates positive character traits but perhaps doesn't know a specific skill; they can be taught. Someone of high character will work to learn the skill and then do the best job they possibly can because they know that their work is a direct reflection of them.

What are you working on right now?

Currently I'm finishing my Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification and gearing up to start in my Masters of Science in Lean Manufacturing. I look forward to furthering my knowledge and career. Equitably balancing work, family, projects and school is a challenge but It's also a privilege.

What tools do you use?

Lean and Six Sigma Methodologies can be implemented into all areas of life! From running a plant to flipping a house. I completely support the lean six sigma methodologies because basically, they are relatively simple and everyone can utilize these techniques with a little training. You donâ€™t have to have an engineering degree to improve a process. All you need is a good process leader and the team who can dissect the process, teach people to use the tools, and to rely on good data to make decisions. Its a team approach to improving. Let the subject matter experts take ownership, give them the tools to do their job and support them in their efforts to make improvements.

Describe your greatest accomplishments.

Getting married at the age of 40. It was important to me to know who I was, where I was going in my career and to make certain I found the right woman to commit to. Providing stability for my family, raising two step children to adulthood and then adopting my two boys. Cultural Transformation and cost reduction achievements at SI Corporation. The properties I own and homes I have flipped in Wyoming. My ability to lead and manage people.

Who are your main influences?

I was fortunate enough to have a solid family upbringing. I learned my work ethic, values, morals, and drive from my parents. That may sound like a canned answer but both of my parents are extremely hard working and healthy in their mid-seventies. Both are very active, engaged in activities, have many friends they continue to interact with and thus are big inspirations to me. Beyond that I value the words of President Reagan.Â He talked about "the wealth of a nation" being determined by what they produce and adding value.Â That resonated with me and I knew manufacturing would be my life path.Â I've always enjoyed sports and my high school basketball and football coaches had a big influence on me. I had an outstanding Director of Manufacturing at SI Corporation and he taught me a lot about leadership.Â My personal faith is also one of my main influences.

Why did I choose my profession?

I have always liked knowing how things are manufactured and the process in which they go together. The way I think is very sequential and process oriented. I remember drawing process steps out on paper for how to shoot a free throw, or how to shoot my bow. I learned naturally this way when things where important enough to me to document it. When I was in high school, I remember listening to President Reagan promoting manufacturing and how manufacturing determines the wealth of a nation. That was my first conceptual thought about going into manufacturing. Once I reached Operation Management classes my junior year in college I knew I had picked the right major. I took a lot of Psychology classes also because I was very interested in how people think and behave. Educating myself on methods of self-improvement has always interested me. In any job I've held, the biggest joy has always been working with people. People are what make it all happen. I enjoy orchestrating, leading, and mentoring my employees. If one can motivate and change a person; the manufacturing process will follow. People are truly the most valuable asset a company has. When wise leaders focus on the people first; the process will naturally improve.