Al serves as Project Leader and Lead Advisor for American Kaizen, bringing a distinguished career spanning General Motors and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, where he was a key individual in the plant’s historic start-up. His career includes 10+ years at GM, followed by leadership roles at Toyota, including General Manager and Vice President of Toyota Powertrain Kentucky, where he led cross-functional teams across Powertrain North America Divisions.
Al has consulted across the United States, Mexico, and China, working with leaders from Plant Managers to Corporate Vice Presidents to promote cross-functional relationships and continuous improvement. His expertise in new plant start-ups, quality systems, and production process layout has made him an invaluable advisor to organizations seeking operational excellence.
As a floor supervisor at General Motors, Al implemented GM's first Andon system for the engine assembly line, a groundbreaking achievement that would become standard practice across the industry.
As a quality supervisor for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Al assured production quality during the plant's start-up, working across Stamping, Body Weld, Paint, and Parts Quality with production, plant engineering, design teams, and North American suppliers. The plant achieved the 2nd Best in Quality JD Powers Award.
As Assistant General Manager, Al was a key leader in the start-up of Vehicle Plant 2 at TMMK, working with Plant Engineering on Quality System and Process Layout, including team member hiring and training.
Al led efforts at both TMMK plants for New Vehicle Models, managing implementation, pilot product quality evaluation, and trials, working with Design, Production, and Parts suppliers to confirm design changes and quality confirmation.
As General Manager and Vice President of Toyota Powertrain Kentucky, Al led cross-functional teams across Powertrain North America Divisions, coordinating best practice reviews, benchmarking, and reporting to Toyota Japan Powertrain as the North American Leader.
Al participated in the worldwide EXE Training program hosted by the Toyota Institute on the Toyota Production System, completed the WHARTON Business School Special Education Program, and supported reporting requirements for NHTSA.
As Vice President of Manufacturing, Al supported, advised, and helped lead efforts for a new start-up plant in Mississippi, bringing his extensive launch experience to a new facility.
Al was chosen to support a key Toyota forging supplier as Executive Vice President, returning the company to profitability through production changeover reduction and quality improvements.
Al believes that operational excellence requires breaking down silos and building genuine cross-functional collaboration across organizations. His career has been defined by bringing diverse teams together to solve complex problems, from new plant start-ups to supplier turnarounds. Whether working with design, production, or suppliers, Al emphasizes the importance of understanding each function’s perspective and finding solutions that benefit the entire organization.
10+ years at General Motors | Key individual in Toyota Kentucky plant start-up | 2nd Best in Quality JD Powers Award achievement | GM’s first Andon system implemented for engine assembly | Vehicle Plant 2 start-up leadership at TMMK | General Manager & Vice President, Toyota Powertrain Kentucky | Toyota Institute EXE Training Program completion | WHARTON Business School Special Education Program | Mississippi plant start-up leadership as VP of Manufacturing | Supplier turnaround returning company to profitability | Consulted across United States, Mexico, and China
