Dr. Jaideep Motwani is Chair and Professor of Management at the Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley State University since 2000. He also served as the E. Seidman Endowed Chair of Management from 2000 to 2002. He received his PhD in operations management from University of North Texas, and has co-authored more than 15 books and more than 175 articles on Lean, quality management, customer service, and much more. He has taught and conducted research seminars in major universities in Canada, China, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, India, France, Germany, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
Rob Ptacek is a partner in the Global Lean Institute and President and CEO of Competitive Edge Training and Consulting, a firm specializing in leader and organizational development, and Lean Enterprise transformations. Mr. Ptacek holds a BS in metallurgical engineering from Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, and a Masters of Management from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Ptacek is an adjunct instructor of management principles, manufacturing strategy, and total quality management, and has instructed at Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College, Davenport University, and currently instructs in the Lean Champion Certification program at Grand Rapids Community College.