Strategy and Leadership Development Team

David Apple’s primary focus is to successfully implement lean strategies and management while guiding companies to develop and sustain a culture of continuous improvement.

Expertise: Lean Manufacturing, Value Stream Mapping, Employee Engagement in Continuous Improvement, Culture Change, SMED.

Education: MBA from Georgia State University, B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Michael Barker works to help manufacturers understand cybersecurity and how to improve their overall cyber hygiene and resiliency. He also assists manufacturers who need to certify to DoD CMMC 2.0 requirements. Michael comes to GaMEP with more than 20 years of experience in network, information, and operational security.

Expertise: Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Governance, Risk, Compliance, Audit, Resiliency Planning, Root Cause Analysis, Digital Forensics.

Education: M.S. in Information Security Management and Graduate Certificate in Information Security Analysis from the University of Fairfax, B. in Nuclear Engineering from Georgia Tech. Currently pursuing a DScIT in Information Technology / Cybersecurity from Middle Georgia State University.

Ben Cheeks connects manufacturers in his region to the services of GaMEP, Georgia Tech, and our partners.

Expertise: Leadership Development, Culture Change, Strategic Business Planning, Mergers and Acquisitions, Business Transition, Warehouse Distribution, Supply Chain, Plant Management, ERP Systems.

Education: MBA from Indiana University, B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in International Business from the International School of Management.

As part of the Strategy and Leadership Development team, Adam Hayes works with clients to ensure their vision and strategic priorities are achieved and sustained. He draws on his previous experience as an accomplished executive and registered professional engineer with experience in manufacturing operations, facility management, product development, continuous improvement, and supply chain management.

Expertise: Strategy, Business Development, Leadership, Team Building, Culture Direction, Regulatory Compliance, Financial Management, New Product Integration, Lean Manufacturing.

Education: MBA from Kennesaw State University, M.S. in Geophysical Sciences from Georgia Tech, B.S. in Civil Engineering from Clemson University.

Andy Helm specializes in leadership development and executive coaching.  He works with his clients to instill a positive leadership culture, improve employee engagement, and help them become their community’s, “Employer of Choice”. He also draws on his previous experiences as a serial entrepreneur to help clients grow their businesses by developing new products and services or by entering new markets.

Expertise: Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, Innovation, Strategic Business Planning.

Education: MBA from the University of Central Florida, B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Central Florida.

Dean Hettenbach helps clients turn technology, supply chain, and manufacturing strategies into deliverables that impact how clients operate, scale, and compete. He utilizes knowledge gained through his past experience delivering solutions across a diverse customer base of start-ups, emerging growth, and Fortune 500 companies, including manufacturers of all types and in many different verticals.

Expertise: Manufacturing Technology, Supply Chain, MedTech, Manufacturing Process, Strategy Development, Project Management.

Education: M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Tech, B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Missouri, Certificate in Computer Integrated Manufacturing from Georgia Tech.

Sean Madhavaraman utilizes his 17 years of process engineering and advanced manufacturing experience as well as his passion for technology to serve as the GaMEP Industry 4.0 expert. He has a proven track record of utilizing data, communication, and organizational skills to deliver key business objectives through alignment and next generation technology.

Expertise: Process Automation, Process Control, Process Engineering, Manufacturing IT/OT, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Program & Project Management.

Education: M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Madurai Kamaraj University, Six Sigma Certified.

Tom Sammon helps manufacturing companies identify and implement technology applications and best practices to improve their operations.

Expertise: Automation, Robotics, Conveyor Systems, Equipment Design, Lean Manufacturing, Plant Layout and Design, Plant Management, Project Management, Problem Solving.

Education: M.S. in Management of Technology from Georgia Tech, B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Southern Polytechnic State University.

Charity Stevens connects manufacturers in her region to the services of GaMEP, Georgia Tech, and our partners.

Expertise: Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Plant Layout and Design, Plant Management, Total Productive Maintenance, Leadership Development, Culture Change, Problem Solving, Root Cause Analysis.

Education: B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Mike Stonecipher leads the Strategy and Leadership Development team. He specializes in strategic planning, leadership development, and managing projects that will enable top-line growth and deliver bottom-line results through process innovation, team development, and lean implementation. He also connects automotive manufacturing companies to resources at GaMEP and Georgia Tech as part of the GaMEP Automotive Manufacturing Initiative.

Expertise: Plant Management, Strategic Business Planning, Leadership Development, Problem Solving, Lean Manufacturing, Tech Scouting, Automotive Industry.

Education: MBA from Brenau University, B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Tennessee Technological University, Lean Enterprise training through the Lean Design Institute at UT Knoxville, Finance for Executives training through Kellogg Graduate School of Management.