The Ohio State University
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COE Staff

About COE

COE Office
Tel. 614-292-3199
Fax 614-292-1272

Center for Operational Excellence
The Fisher College of Business
The Ohio State University
660 Fisher Hall 2100 Neil Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Peter T. Ward, Co-Director
With his background in lean management, continuous improvement, Six Sigma and operations strategy, Peter leads the COE team in developing and implementing cutting edge programs to meet our member's current business needs while maintaining strong relationships with our board and member companies. He provides direction in identifying and soliciting future member companies.
Contact Peter at ward.1@osu.edu or 614-292-5294

John F. Dix, Co-Director
John is the founder and president of Business Development Index Limited, Inc. and an accomplished, results oriented executive with over forty years of leadership positions in industry. He is responsible for community outreach, feedback sessions with our member companies and relationship management.
Contact John at dix.3@osu.edu or 614-457-6543
Peg Pennington, Executive Director
Peg joined the center in 2000 from Emerson Electric. In her role as executive director, she focuses on strategic issues related to the continued progress of the COE and works closely with our member companies to ensure their needs and concerns are met. In addition, she manages the lean and innovation forums, Honda Lean Supplier Award and serves on the Efficient Effective Compassionate Care (EECC) committee at OSU Medical Center. She is actively involved with relationship management and Six Sigma projects.
Contact Peg at pennington.84@osu.edu or 614-292-3081

Robin Rasor Thompson, Administrative Director
Robin joined the COE from OSU Medical Center's communication and marketing department. She is responsible for enhancing the COE's marketing strategy and tactics, event management, general administration, member relations and communications.
Contact Robin at rasor-thompson.1@osu.edu or 614-688-4327
Andrea Prud'homme; COE Associate Director; Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Management Sciences
Andrea joins the COE from Michigan State University, with research expertise in operations and supply chain management, logistics and international supply chain management. She brings more than 15 years of corporate experience in worldwide supply chain management. Andrea is responsible for the marketing and growth of the LEAN network, relationship management and COE program development.
Contact Andrea at prudhomme.3@osu.edu or 614-292-3173

R. Gary Butler, Executive-In-Residence
Gary joined the Department of Management Sciences and Master of Business Operational Excellence (MBOE) program as an executive-in-residence. He spent 34 years with the Eastman Kodak Company where his career encompassed tenures in Asia, Europe and North and South America. His extensive background with lean manufacturing provides him the ability to mentor others in business system changes that are reshaping manufacturing and service organizations today. He developed his leadership teams through Foundational, Just-In-Time, and Jidoka methods.
Contact Gary at butler.577@osu.edu or 614-247-1729
Nancy Lahmers, Director of Women's Leadership Initiatives
Our women's programs are such a success that Nancy is dedicated to the continued growth of these programs within the Fisher College while collaborating with broader women's initiatives at OSU and beyond.
Contact Nancy at lahmers.9@osu.edu or 614-292-2975
Charlotte Collister, COE Outreach
Charlotte worked in various management positions in the telecommunications industry before moving to full-time consulting. She specializes today in marketing, sales, business development, new product development and process improvement. She is responsible for community outreach and member relations.
Contact Charlotte at collister@columbus.rr.com or 614-481-0229
Jackie McClure, Administrative Associate
Jackie has been with the COE since 2000 and provides administrative support for all of the staff and member companies. In addition she oversees all budget and expense tracking, professional development meeting logistics and registration, Web site support, member database management and coordinating the annual administrative professionals seminar.
Contact Jackie at mcclure.92@osu.edu or 614-292-3199
Ben Moore, Office Associate
Ben works for the Department of Management Sciences and continues to assist with the logistics of the COE forums.
Contact Ben at moore.1365@osu.edu or 614-292-1275

Sophie Renaud, Graduate Administrative Assistant
Sophie started the MBA program in September 2008 with a background in financial reporting and controlling. As a Graduate Administrative Assistant she assists the COE staff members with special COE projects.
Contact Sophie at renaud_9@fisher.osu.edu or 614-247-2063