Chris Downing
DIRECTOR, INDUSTRY SERVICES
Chris Downing, director of Industry Services for Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, manages over 60 professional staff members who provide technical and business growth services to industry throughout the state of Georgia.
Before becoming director of Industry Services, Downing served as associate director of the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), where he oversaw expansion of ATDC into the Technology Square campus and helped develop the Georgia Tech Venture Center. While at ATDC, he also served as the chief operating officer of EmTech Bio, a life science incubator operated by Georgia Tech and Emory University.
Downing has more than 20 years of experience in technical and engineering assistance to industry, technology business incubation, and economic development services.
He is a registered professional engineer in Georgia and Florida and holds both a bachelor and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida. He is a founding member of the Alliance of Clean Energy Business Incubators, serves as a board member for the American Small Manufacturer’s Coalition, and is chairman of the Technology Association of Georgia’s Manufacturing Society Board.
Larry Alford
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, INDUSTRY SERVICES
Larry Alford is the south metro Atlanta region manager for Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute. As the primary contact for 11 counties, he helps fulfill client needs through using the Institute’s vast array of resources. Alford leads the south metro region of the Georgia Tech Lean Consortium, which seeks to accelerate the rate of learning and implementation of Lean principles.
Alford has a B.S.I.E. from Auburn University and an MBA from Columbus State University.
Karen Fite
MANAGER, STATE REGIONAL NETWORK
As the state regional network manager for Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, Karen Fite oversees the statewide outreach for service delivery to manufacturers and entrepreneurs. She is responsible for connecting businesses, manufacturers, and communities to Georgia Tech’s wealth of innovation and technology services, which is designed to elevate their competitive position and economic impact.
Fite is an RAB-Certified Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor. As a member of the Center for International Standards and Quality (CISQ), she provides implementation assistance and training to companies pursuing ISO 9001. She has expertise in assisting companies in the implementation of Lean Principles in manufacturing, government and healthcare entities.
Her earlier experience includes the application of industrial and management engineering, employee involvement, and business principles.
Fite has a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Miami and a Bachelors of Science (Health Systems) degree from Georgia Tech.
Tim Israel
GROUP MANAGER – PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
Tim Israel is the manager for both the Lean and Quality services groups at Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute. He helps organizations reduce waste and improve manufacturing operations.
Israel is a RABQSA certified Quality Systems Lead Auditor and RABQSA certified Environmental Systems Lead Auditor. He has trained more than 2,500 individuals representing 300 companies on all aspects of Lean, ISO 9000, and ISO 14000.
Israel holds both M.S. and B.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Bill Meffert
GROUP MANAGER – ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Bill Meffert manages the Energy and Sustainability Services group for Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute. He oversees the development, transfer, and adoption of energy and environmental best practices and innovations in industry and commercial buildings. Meffert has over 25 years of experience in providing both technical and management solutions to address the energy needs of industrial, commercial, and institutional organizations.
At Georgia Tech, he and several faculty members developed the first U.S. energy management system standard, ANSI/MSE 2000. Meffert is also a U.S. technical expert for development of ISO 50001, the International Energy Management Standard. In addition, his group is currently assisting the U.S. Department of Energy with the development of the Superior Energy Performance program, which utilizes ISO 50001 as a basis for certifying industrial energy performance.
Prior to joining Georgia Tech, Meffert worked for Combustion Engineering and Thermax.
Meffert holds both a bachelor and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech and a B.A. in natural science from Covenant College. He is also a Certified Professional Engineer.
Don Pital
GROUP MANAGER – GROWTH SERVICES
Don Pital is the growth services manager for Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute. He helps train and coach companies on innovative techniques for organizational sales growth using ideation techniques and innovation process management strategies. He trains organizations in the process of practical innovation for top-line growth and bottom-line operational savings.
Prior to Georgia Tech, he served in the telecommunication manufacturing industry in a variety of roles including quality, operations, and engineering management for over 12 years. Pital has coached and conducted training in all-sized organizations in quality management system implementations and best practice execution in areas such as root cause analysis, process improvements, SPC, process mapping, high-impact auditing, project management, and creativity.
Pital has M.S. and B.S. degrees in Ceramic Engineering from Georgia Tech. He is a Business Growth Coach, certified by the Eureka Ranch. Pital won the National MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) Innovator of the Year award in April 2009.
