Upcoming Events
September 23 | 12 – 1 p.m. | Zoom Webinar
Session description and registration coming soon!
Rick Guba is a senior Consultant for S A Partners where he delivers Shingo training module classes as well as coaches business leadership as they work to transform their business. He is also President and CEO of U.S.I Consulting. In recent years, Rick has privately consulted with private and publicly held companies and organizations..
Rick Guba previously served as a faculty for the Master of Business Operational Excellence program at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. In addition to teaching in the MBOE program, he coached students from Tinker Air Force Base, GE, Tennessee Government, State of Missouri and more. He came to Fisher in 2016 after retiring from 35 years at General Electric. While he worked for the General Electric Company, he held multiple manufacturing and design positions in multiple locations. His most recent role was to manage Lean development and transformation in the 87 Aviation division global facilities. These facilities included new make component manufacturing, assembly, and engine test and overhaul operations.
Rick has extensive experience in Six Sigma, Lean methodology, change management, teaming, leadership development and manufacturing management. His experience includes problem solving in traditional manufacturing applications as well as Transactional application (HR, Engineering, IT, Billing, finance). He has developed the Lean Leader development program for the Aviation division that is reshaping leadership in the GE organizations today.
October 7 | 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | In-Person Workshop
Join the Center for Operational Excellence for an interactive workshop designed to introduce the fundamentals of the A3 problem-solving method—a structured, proven approach to tackling complex challenges and driving continuous improvement.
The workshop begins with an introduction to A3 Thinking, a structured approach to problem solving that underpins continuous improvement. Participants will learn how the A3 framework helps individuals and teams define problems, understand current conditions, identify root causes, and develop effective countermeasures. Rather than focusing on completing an A3 report, the workshop emphasizes the disciplined thinking behind the process, using the A3 as a tool to organize and communicate key insights.
Participants will apply these concepts through a guided case study before bringing one of their own organizational challenges to the workshop. Working in small groups with guidance from the instructors and input from peers, participants will practice using the A3 framework to analyze a real problem, refine their thinking, and develop a practical path forward.
In this workshop, participants will:
- Strengthen their problem solving skills using a structured, time tested methodology
- Apply data driven thinking to continuous improvement efforts
- Learn to identify root causes rather than treat symptoms
- Build clarity, alignment, and consensus around improvement opportunities
- Receive coaching and peer feedback in a collaborative learning environment
To get the most value from this session, participants should come prepared with a real organizational challenge, along with any relevant data or background information. Additional preparation guidance will be provided in advance.
This workshop is designed for individuals who are new to Lean or early in their continuous improvement journey. It is ideal for those seeking a practical introduction to A3 Thinking and a structured approach they can immediately apply in their work.
Whitney Mantonya is a Senior Lecturer in the Fisher College of Business Operations and Business Analytics Department, where she teaches Operations, undergraduate electives and in the Master’s of Operational Excellence program. Whitney serves as a mentor for the Pathways for Women in Supply Chain program and teaches in multiple Executive Education programs. Prior to joining Ohio State, Whitney worked with organizations as a leader and consultant to empower organizations including Mount Carmel Health System, Cardinal Health, and Nationwide Insurance to empower people and achieve extraordinary results through Operational Excellence. Whitney earned her BS in Business Administration from The Ohio State University and an MBA from the Baker College Center of Graduate Studies.
Jill Treece is a senior lecturer in the Department of Management Sciences. Treece began her career as a registered nurse and has nearly two decades in the healthcare industry. Her most recent role before joining Fisher, was the Director of Nursing for one of Central Ohio’s largest hospitals. In addition, she has experience with leading large hospital re-design and build projects, including leading teams through workflow design and optimizing patient flow. She has coached in Fisher’s Executive Education, Master of Business Operational Excellence program since 2015, and continues to teach in this program as well as several other offerings at the business school.
This is a limited-capacity, in-person only workshop on the campus of the Fisher College of Business. Please submit your interest using the form below. Participants will be selected from interest form submissions in coordination with COE board representatives from each member company. If you have been selected, you’ll receive an email by September 16.
Save the Date
November 9, 3 - 5 p.m. | Built to Connect: A Lego-Based Mini Workshop And Networking Event (In-Person at the Mason Hall Rotunda)
December 4, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | 4th Annual AI Insights from Academia to Industry Event (Hybrid - In-Person at the Fawcett Center or via Zoom)
April 6 - 8, 2027 | COE Summit 2027