Professional, quick-witted, and endlessly driven to help others, Paul Todd has spent the last 25 years embodying Georgia Tech’s motto, “Progress and Service.” As group manager for operational excellence, he leads and supports a team of project managers specializing in services such as quality management, product design, food safety, and process improvement—Paul’s own area of expertise.
“My introduction to lean manufacturing came early, back when I was working at Russell Corporation in North Carolina and started reading about the Toyota Production System,” he recalls. “At the time, I realized just how much I didn’t know—and how much more was possible.”
That curiosity led him to work with North Carolina’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) as a client, opening his eyes even further to the benefits of lean practices. When he discovered that Georgia Tech had its own MEP program, he returned to his alma mater and joined the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at Georgia Tech team in 2000 as a process improvement project manager.
Throughout his career, Paul has remained focused on helping manufacturers realize their full potential.
“I remember one Kaizen event where employees completely transformed their workspace, far surpassing their manager’s expectations. Moments like that remind me that we are in the people business. It’s our job to help bridge the gap so others can see what they’re capable of achieving.”
A Georgia Tech graduate in industrial management, Paul takes pride not only in contributing to GaMEP’s mission but also in supporting the university’s broader legacy of service to the state.
“We’re not just solving technical problems—we’re contributing to Georgia’s economic well-being. That mission has guided me since day one.”
Known for saying, “Every change is an experiment,” Paul approaches each challenge with humility and thoughtful consideration. One of his favorite quotes, from Toyota’s Fujio Cho, captures his philosophy: “Go see, ask why, show respect.”
When he’s not mentoring his team, visiting manufacturing plants, or delivering quick one-liners, you can find Paul washing his car, tending to his yard, or exploring one of his newer hobbies—background acting in films such as The Naked Gun and Fly Me to the Moon. He’s also a longtime poll manager for Bibb County and has done his fair share of international travel. As a certified Shingo Prize Examiner, Paul evaluates organizations around the world on their operational excellence and adherence to lean principles. Having now visited six countries in this role, his most recent trip to Hangzhou, China, left a lasting and positive impression.
Contact Paul at paul.todd@innovate.gatech.edu to learn more about GaMEP’s Operational Excellence services.
