There’s a new business association in town.
It’s called the Operational Excellence Association, devoted to improving the operational strength of its members by encouraging collaboration among the many disciplines that contribute to a company’s organizational alignment and function.
The OEA was created by a group of St. Louis business leaders and faculty from Washington University’s Olin Business School executive education program under the direction of Panos Kouvelis who is a senior associate dean; director of the Boeing Center for Technology, Information and Manufacturing and the Emerson distinguished professor of operations and manufacturing management.
Over 150 representatives from dozens of regional companies attended an inaugural meeting in February where Chris Klope, president Applied Engineering Plastics, Inc. outlined the new association’s goals:
“Although there are many professional organizations in the St. Louis area, we do not know of any group that addresses operations in the comprehensive use of the word, encompassing all departments and disciplines in the pursuit of organizational alignment and operational excellence. It was our goal to construct an organization that targeted these critical business issues, uncovering the keys to success in a hyper-changing business climate.”
Klope said the OEA will be a member driven organization and host a monthly speaker series combined with case studies to highlight best practices, emerging technologies and leading trends. The OEA also plans to organize industrial conferences and sponsor annual awards recognizing best practices in operational excellence. Jim Kavanaugh, CEO and co-founder of World Wide Technology, spoke at the kick-off meeting.
Olin Business School’s Jackson Nickerson, PhD, Frahm Family Professor of Organization & Strategy and Director of the Brookings-Olin Partnership and a Brookings Nonresident Senior Fellow in Government Studies will be the featured speaker at the next OEA meeting in April.
What: “Strategic Planning – An Interactive Planning Session”
When: Thursday, April 1, 7:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Where: The Charles F. Knight Executive Education and Conference Center on the Danforth Campus of Washington University.
For more information and registration for this event contact: Linda Kilwin, OEA@olin.wustl.edu.
Members of the OEA Development Board include: Steve Gund, President, The Gund Company; Shree Despande, Dir. International Business Developemnt, Hager Co.; Nate Overboe, Manager of Global Sourcing, The Harbour Group; Vinny Pagano, Quality Assurance Manager, Nascote Industry/Magna International; Russ Phinny, VP Manufacturing, Global Surgical; Tony Valdez, Director of Quality, Olin Corp.-Winchester Division; Gene Toombs, Sr. VP Operations, Mitek Industries; Gayla and Scott Moore, owners, Nevco Display/Scoring Solutions; Ken Goldberg, Sr. Dir. Product Manager, Express Scripts.
FAQs
What is the Operational Excellence Association?
The Operational Excellence Association is a newly formed St. Louis regional business collaborative that equips individual members and their companies with the expertise, best practices and networks needed for operational strength in all aspects of their business. Open to all business leaders and decision-makers throughout the St. Louis region, the OEA is a hub for best practices, emerging technologies and business solutions – providing its members access to case studies, expert speakers, consultants, scholarly research, networks, talent and collaborative solutions for the most complex functional and cross-functional business challenges.
Who can become a member of OEA?
Membership in OEA is open to all business leaders and decision-makers throughout the St. Louis region. The OEA is a hub for best practices, emerging technologies and business solutions – providing its members access to case studies, expert speakers, consultants, scholarly research, networks, talent and collaborative solutions for the most complex functional and cross-functional business challenges. Membership is subject to approval by the OEA Membership Committee.
What is distinctive about OEA?
Founded by Washington University’s Olin Business School, the OEA exists to serve business, helping enhance the competitive position of member companies and, in turn, the St. Louis region. Far from an academic endeavor, the OEA is comprised of business leaders from across the region. It is their active involvement that establishes and directs the OEA’s mission, focus and ongoing relevance.
What are the activities of OEA?
– Eleven monthly meetings throughout the year featuring expert speakers or panel discussions addressing the issues of greatest interest to our membership.
– Annual Operational Excellence Awards – contest open to member companies to identify and recognize operational best practices in small, medium and large company categories.
– Custom programs specifically designed to address areas of common interest to our membership.
– Access to programs, seminars, and continuing education opportunities conducted by the Olin Business School.
What is the cost?
Individual membership in OEA is $750.00 per year. During the first three months (April, May and June of 2010) we will offer an introductory membership rate of $ 550.00.
How do I become a member?
Contact OEA@olin.wustl.edu for membership information. Membership is subject to approval by the OEA Membership Committee.