REGISTRATION OPEN!
Virtual Lean Peer Group #33
June 17, 2025 to May 19, 2026
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Build a Lean Culture to Ensure Long-Term Success
🚀 Lean Applies Everywhere! Lean applies to any type of organization and processing environment. Whether you are a manufacturer🏭, distributor📦, service organization💼, or a non-profit🤝, this program should be part of your Continuous Improvement plan.
✨ Revamp and re-energize your Lean strategy by networking with and learning from others who are committed to creating a Lean culture.
📅 Schedule: Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) However, if anyone is unable to attend on these dates, they may join one of the other Group meetings.
🗂️ Format:
📘 Lean Training/Discussion - 1 Hour 🔍 Topic Examples: Lean Leadership, Resistance to Change, Influence/Motivation, Support System Alignment, Engagement Methods, Office Lean, Lean Fundamentals, Key Lean Tools.
📊 Company Presentation - 30 Minutes At each meeting, a Member Company provides a short presentation on Lean activities in their organization—such as a company project, challenge, or Lean plans—for Group learning and/or to obtain member input.
💬 Open Discussion - 30 Minutes An opportunity for members to share experiences, seek input, and discuss issues and challenges.
🎯 Program Features!
🌍 Member Locations: Participation is open to organizations and individuals from any region, not limited to Maryland. The video conference format allows participants to join from anywhere, making it accessible regardless of location.
👥 Number of Members: No limit! With videoconferencing, there are no room capacity concerns. Plus, the number of participants per company is not restricted (within reason).
📆 Number of Meetings: There are 12 monthly meetings, and MWCC Quarterly Conferences and Lean Learnings are no-cost to members.
🤔 Who Should Attend?
🏢 Organizations: Our Lean Peer Groups include a mix of companies across various industries and Lean maturity levels—from those just starting to Lean-mature organizations. The only requirement is a sincere commitment to continuous improvement.
👤 Meeting Attendees: No restrictions on company position—typical attendees include Lean facilitators and company leaders. Front-line leaders would greatly benefit from participation. Anyone interested in learning more about Lean is welcome.
💰 What About the Cost?
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership (a $1250 value!).
💡 Grant Opportunity: Your company might qualify for 50% reimbursement of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round (subject to funding availability). This means Maryland companies could effectively pay $250 for their entire organization for a year-long program.
🌎 Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.
Your Lean Peer Group Facilitator
Dave Rizzardo has been the Associate Director of MWCC since 2014. In 2012, he co-developed the Lean Peer Group service and has been facilitating multiple groups since that time. His Lean experience predates the time when Lean became synonymous with business excellence. His recently published book, "Lean - Let's Get It Right! How to Build a Culture of Continuous Improvement", dives into many of the topics discussed and debated during the MWCC Lean Peer Group meetings.
Questions?
If you have questions about this program, contact MWCC Associate Director, Dave Rizzardo (717-855-0765) , or MWCC Managing Director, Joyce La Padula (410-960-3785).
Virtual Lean Peer Group #34
MWCC has offered Lean Peer Groups since 2012, and participation is open to organizations anywhere — not just those based in Maryland.
Lean principles apply to all types of organizations, including manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and non-profits. This program is a powerful way to strengthen your Continuous Improvement strategy by connecting with peers who are equally committed to building and sustaining a Lean culture.
Schedule - Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly via Zoom. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) However, if anyone is unable to attend on these dates, they may attend one of the other Group meetings.
Format:
Program Features!
Who Should Attend?
What about the cost?
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership, a $1250 value.
NOTE: Your company might qualify for grant reimbursement of 50% of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round. (This reimbursement is subject to availability of funding and adequate appropriation.) Considering these factors, the effective cost for Maryland company participants would be $250 for the whole organization for this year-long program. (Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.)
Dan Protzman has been a consulting partner to MWCC since 2019, bringing deep expertise in Lean and leadership development. As Vice President at Business Improvement Group, he helps organizations align strategy, execution, and culture. Dan is one of the few certified Lean Master Practitioners in the U.S., with additional credentials in TWI Job Instruction, the Harada Method, and Lean Leadership. He has trained in Japan with Toyota and the Shingo Institute.
If you have questions about this program, contact MWCC Managing Director, Joyce La Padula, 410-960-3785.
LEAN PEER GROUP COHORT #35
February 18, 2026 thru January 20, 2027
Lean applies to any type of organization and processing environment. Whether you are a manufacturer, distributor, service organization, or a non-profit, this program should be part of your Continuous Improvement plan. Revamp and re-energize your Lean strategy by networking with and learning from others who are committed to creating a Lean culture.
Schedule - Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) However, if anyone is unable to attend on these dates, they may attend one of the other Group meetings.
Organizations – Not just for manufacturers, our Lean Peer Groups have a mix of companies from a broad range of industries and Lean maturity levels, from those who are just getting started to some who would be considered Lean-mature organizations. The only real requirement is a sincere desire and commitment to moving forward on this never-ending journey of excellence.
Meeting Attendees – There are no restrictions as to company position, but typical attendees include Lean facilitators and company leaders. Specifically, front-line leaders would gain greatly from ongoing participation. Though anyone in the organization who wants to learn more about Lean is welcome to participate.
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership, a $1250 value. NOTE: Your company might qualify for grant reimbursement of 50% of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round. (This reimbursement is subject to availability of funding and adequate appropriation.) Considering these factors, the effective cost for Maryland company participants would be $250 for the whole organization for this year-long program. (Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.)
LEAN SIX SIGMA GREEN BELT CERTIFICATION
(See below re Training Funds)
The Maryland World Class Consortia is pleased to bring you the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification in partnership with the Dr. Mikel J. Harry Six Sigma Management Institute (SSMI).
The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Program of Study is intended to develop technical leaders who are capable of propelling their respective organizations toward best-in-class status by reducing costs, improving cycle times, eliminating defects, eliminating variation, and significantly increasing customer satisfaction.
Green Belts are highly trained practitioners who possess the technical knowledge and skills that are necessary to facilitate breakthrough improvements in key processes that support the overall business aims and operational goals of an enterprise.
Commitment
This comprehensive 20-week Green Belt Course will require a five (5) hour weekly commitment. The actual task time will vary. The program's webinar schedule for the Blended Learning model will be assigned by the facilitator and the students based on their availability.
Program Cost
The fee for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Program is $1995 per person and includes a free one-year membership to the MWCC (a $1250 value). This tuition covers all academic modules and course training material. Students will receive a training guide in the form of Summary Slides that review each module in the form of PDF files.
Participants who successfully complete the program will be presented with a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate.
COMPLETE COURSE DESCRIPTION HERE
TRAINING FUNDS
Maryland manufacturing & technology companies can be eligible for 50% reimbursement of the program training costs. Please contact Joyce La Padula at 410-960-3785 or via email at joyce@leanmaryland.com for reimbursement criteria.
The LSSGB Program is appropriate for workers at all levels in the organization. This structured program provides guidance for change agents the organization may be underutilizing. No prior exposure to Lean Six Sigma is required. Candidates would enjoy solving problems, working with data as well as working in a project-based, team-oriented environment.
Prerequisites
Basic arithmetic skills are essential (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals) and a basic knowledge of statistics . Basic computer skills are also essential. In this context, a rudimentary understanding of Excel is highly recommended.
If you have questions about this program, contact MWCC Managing Director, Joyce La Padula (410-960-3785).
Join us for one of our complimentary, virtual “Lean Learnings” sessions — fast-paced, practical discussions designed to deliver immediate value. From 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., hear a focused presentation from an MWCC consultant, member company, or guest speaker on proven Lean methodologies and real-world applications.
Lean Learnings
Topic: Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA)
Join Chad Schneider, P.E., as he breaks down how thinking about Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) early in the development process can improve the final product, get products to market faster, and avoid costly production headaches. He’ll be sharing practical tips drawn from Root3 Labs’ own Product Development process that make a big impact for smoother, more predictable outcomes. Whether you're developing new products or improving your current manufacturing process, you'll walk away with concrete ways to design with manufacturing in mind from the start.
About our speaker:
Chad is the founder of Root3 Labs and a senior mechanical design engineer with over 25 years of experience developing complex electromechanical products for medical device, defense, and aerospace clients. He is a licensed Professional Engineer, earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland and an MSE in medical robotics from The Johns Hopkins University, and is named on 16 patents.
Root3 Labs is a Bronze Sponsor of the Maryland World Class Consortia.
THIS IS A ZOOM EVENT.
Companies actively engaged in Lean offer a treasure trove of information when it comes to their respective Lean journeys. Benchmarking these companies brings you new ideas, an affirmation of your current practices, and an opportunity to be spurred on and take next steps in your own organization. To that end, we are continuing to bring you monthly tours so you can take advantage of this knowledge base. Each plant tour offers a unique opportunity to dialog with peers from across industries and functions about best practices, challenges and solutions to moving your organization forward.
PARKER PLASTICS
LEAN MANUFACTURING PLANT TOUR
Parker Plastics is a leading manufacturer of custom plastic bottles and containers, serving industries such as food and beverage, personal care, household products, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. With a commitment to innovation and quality, the company utilizes extrusion blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, and reheat-and-blow molding to produce high-performance packaging solutions.
Operating multiple facilities across the U.S., including its Hagerstown, MD plant, Parker Plastics integrates advanced automation, vision systems, and sustainable manufacturing practices to enhance efficiency and product consistency. On this tour, you will get a firsthand view of our 3D printing initiative, newly implemented Kanban system for supplies ordering, and our people-focused approach emphasizing workforce diversity and retention strategies.
Attendance Eligibility / Conflict of Interest:
To respect Parker Plastics’ confidentiality and competitive position, attendance is restricted. We are unable to accept registrations from organizations involved in plastics, bottle, and/or container manufacturing, including related packaging competitors.
NOTE: NDA MUST BE SIGNED AND SUBMITTED PRIOR TO TOUR.
PPI_Non-Disclosure Agreement (rev. 04.2025).docx
If you have any special dietary requirements, please contact us and we will do our best to arrange alternative selections.
Substitutions for registrants permitted. No refunds.
We look forward to having you join us for our morning "mini-conference," where you will find examples, case studies, and informative discussions about the tools and methods of continuous improvement. Get ready to network with learners and leaders of the local Lean community!
President, Ledge Inc. | CEO, 80/20 Quality
AI That Works: A Manufacturing Leader’s Guide
A practical framework for deploying AI in manufacturing without adding risk or complexity. Most organizations start with prompts and experiments, then hit the same wall: inconsistent outputs, no audit trail, and unclear governance. This session applies lean thinking to AI adoption—defining standard work before scaling, eliminating waste through controlled knowledge sources, and selecting the right AI approach (chat, agent, or workflow) based on repeatability and risk.
Attendees will leave with:
A sample AI policy template
Industry-relevant use cases showing where AI delivers value today
A clear framework to identify, evaluate, and govern AI opportunities within their own operations
Adam Marsh is the President of Ledge Inc., where he helps manufacturers build quality systems that don’t just satisfy requirements—but actively strengthen organizations. Since founding Ledge in 2012, Adam has grown the firm into a 10-person consulting team supporting 300+ companies across industries with QMS implementation, training, and long-term compliance support.
Adam is also the CEO of 80/20 Quality, where he focuses on the future of manufacturing through digital transformation, improved data capture, and practical AI integration. A proud Penn State Industrial Engineering alumnus, Adam was recently recognized with the Early Career Award from the Penn State College of Engineering.
Deeply committed to community and leadership development, Adam has chaired organizations including ASQ Harrisburg, The Manufacturers’ Association of South Central PA, and Leadership York, and currently teaches at Elizabethtown College—helping develop the next generation of technically strong, people-centered leaders.
Leadership Consultant | Author, Manage from the Future
High-performing organizations are built on more than systems and technology—they are built on people. In this session, Shawn Wolf will explore people-centered leadership and what it takes to lead effectively in today’s evolving workplace.
Drawing on his experience as a senior manufacturing leader and current consultant, Shawn will share practical insights on modern people management, leadership behaviors, and building organizations that perform well because their people are engaged, aligned, and empowered.
This session provides a strong human-centered complement to the technology- and process-focused discussion earlier in the program.
PROGRAM AGENDA
08:30 a.m. – Registration, Networking, & Continental Breakfast
09:00 a.m. – Welcome
09:15 a.m. – Featured Session: AI, Lean & Digital Systems
10:30 a.m. – Networking / Break
10:40 a.m. – Featured Session: People-Centered Leadership
11:50 a.m. – Q&A
12:00 p.m. – Program Concludes
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