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LEAN ENTERPISE EVENTS & TRAINING

We are Lean Frontiers

Connecting you with like-minded lean thinkers as you learn and practice lean.

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Meet the team

LEAN FRONTIERS FRIENDLY & KNOWLEDGABLE

We believe in what we do.

We believe in the power of lean thinking to transform individuals, organizations, and communities.

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Jim Huntzinger

I’m as surprised as anyone that over twenty years have elapsed since I first began developing lean enterprises through system design and development, and implementation. It’s been a remarkable time as I’ve been fortunate to guide organizations both strategically and tactically through the transformation process – making real, lasting impact in their operations and cultures.

My career began ‘normally’ enough as a manufacturing engineer with Aisin Seiki, a Toyota Group company transplanted to North America to support Toyota. This provided solid, rapid learning opportunities and equipped me to hold positions in engineering, operations, and management working to implement and evolve lean into operational and business practices. Consulting with organizations ranging from small privately-held to huge-global corporations rounds out my experience over these twenty years.

Anyone who knows me realizes that research is one of my passions – always the curious engineer. I’ve researched at length the evolution of manufacturing in the United States with an emphasis on lean’s influence and development. In natural progression, I also researched and worked to re-deploy TWI (Training Within Industry) and uncovered its tie with the Toyota Way. I am also working on the deep history of Ford’s Highland Park plant and its direct tie to Toyota’s business model and methods of operation. A current project is researching and writing on the historical and economic lineage of the United States and the lean business model. Stay tuned for this one!

To be completely honest, I didn’t set out on this career path to become the president and founder of Lean Frontiers, producing the Lean Accounting Summit, TWI Summit, Lean HR Summit, Lean IT Summit, Lean Coaching Summit, and Lean Asia-Pacific Summit. Now I can’t imagine any career more rewarding. It allows me to use my years of successful lean practice, continue researching almost to my heart’s content, and keep my pulse on the very latest thoughts and theories on lean enterprise. Meeting (and having personal relationships with) some of the world’s leading lean thought leaders has been an amazing, inspiring experience. And having the flexibility to help move our corporate vision forward has made this lean journey remarkable.

I graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology and received a M.S. in Engineering Management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Along the way, I authored the books, Lean Cost Management: Accounting for Lean by Establishing Flow, was a contributing author to Lean Accounting: Best Practices for Sustainable Integration, the ground-breaking book, Roots of Lean – Training Within Industry: The Origin of Kaizen, the economic analysis   Deflation: The Road to Prosperity and most recently, The Lean Accounting Summit Story

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Amanda Ott

Joining the Lean Frontiers family in 2011 marked the end of a patient wait for “just the right fit”. My exposure to Lean business practices was minimal at best, but, something in my gut told me it was already in my DNA. The more I learn the more I know it’s more than a business practice – it’s a way of living.

It’s an honor to be a part of the Lean Frontier’s family as well as the Lean community as a whole. I am inspired and challenged daily!

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Skylyr Cunningham

In years past, I have worked with Lean Frontiers as a third-party event planner and immensely enjoyed the work. As I grew, my career led me to Hotel Management.  However, I still had a love for events and travel.

I was approached with an opportunity to join Lean Frontiers, and was immediately drawn in. I remember several of the summits I had been involved with and knew this was a start to an exciting adventure for me. I am still new to the Lean Community, so I have little knowledge of lean and the culture that surrounds it.  However, I am excited to grow and learn more about it as my time with Lean Frontiers continues.

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Leah DeBaun

GET TO KNOW LEAN FRONTIERS

Who is Lean Frontiers?

Lean is a business model, so it only makes sense that everyone in the business understand that model. Too often those in Accounting, HR, IT, Product Development, Supply Chain, Sales & Marketing, and even Executive Leadership don’t understand lean thinking.

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See what we do

LEAN ENTERPRISE WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

What we do at Lean Frontiers

We host leading-edge, intensely-focused learning events for the lean community.

Industry Leaders

Simply stated, we host leading-edge, intensely-focused learning events for the lean community. These events take the form of Large Summits, hands-on workshops, and online learning opportunities. Everything we do is focused on involving everyone in lean thinking and giving them the skills to sustain it.

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Involving Everyone

Lean is a business model, so it only makes sense that everyone in the business understands that model. Too often those in Accounting, HR, IT, Product Development, Supply Chain, Sales & Marketing, and even Executive Leadership don’t understand lean thinking. So Lean Frontiers offers learning opportunities tailored to each of those roles.

What's your role?

Providing Skills Training

We host leading-edge, intensely-focused learning events for the lean community. We host leading-edge, intensely-focused learning events for the lean community. We host leading-edge, intensely-focused learning events for the lean community.

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LEAN FRONTIERS GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

Learning & sharing at a global scale.

Lean is a business model, so it only makes sense that everyone in the business understand that model. Too often those in Accounting, HR, IT, Product Development, Supply Chain, Sales & Marketing, and even Executive Leadership don’t understand lean thinking.

Our Global Impact
What others are saying

LEAN FRONTIERS TESTIMONIALS

Working with Lean Frontiers

Here is what a few thought leaders have said about their experience with Lean Frontiers.

The team at Lean Frontiers deeply care about Lean and the rest of the Lean community. They’re collaborative and supportive of the work done by others, which is a big reason why I’m always happy to see them at events and to attend their events when I get the chance.
Mark Graban
Mark GrabanCONSULTANT, AUTHOR, & SPEAKER​
It’s been a real pleasure working with the Lean Frontiers team for over a decade, not just because we share business goals but because they are truly interested in helping people and organizations succeed.
Kevin Meyer
Kevin MeyerCOFOUNDER GEMBA ACADEMY​
I’ve been collaborating with Lean Frontiers now for several years. Without exception they are efficient, friendly and accommodating, always easy to work with. Best 2 things of all for me – I’ve learnt a lot and broadened my horizons through our association.​
Oscar Roche
Oscar RocheDIRECTOR - TWI INSTITUTE
For over 15 years, Lean Frontiers has been at the forefront of applying lean concepts in all aspects of an enterprise. It has done so by building vibrant communities of practice in particular subject areas, and providing various forums for those communities to learn. I am proud to be part of the Lean Frontiers ‘family’ and its mission.
Drew Locher
Drew Locher
I have very much enjoyed the interactions that I have had with the Lean Frontiers team. From participating in seminars there in Indy to being a part of the presentation lineup, everyone is so accommodating. I have developed friendships with everyone. As we figure out this lean thing, I know that I can count on Jim, Dwayne, Jaclyn and Amanda to support the work that we are doing with everything that they have. What a blessing they have been along the way!
Steve Brenneman
Steve Brenneman
I truly cherish my relationships with the great folks at Lean Frontiers. Most of the time when we are together we speak about everything but Lean. I have had the privilege of getting to know each one of them which results in me calling them up throughout the year just to run an idea by them. Great people and even better friends!
Skip Steward
Skip Steward
Thanks for all you and Dwayne and your entire team do to promote a community of lean experts. Many conference providers simple recruit speakers to fill their slots. First your very first event, I was impressed by the extra efforts you and your team have consistently made to cultivate a place where different voices and viewpoints came come together and discuss what each of us thinks about key topics of the day. Your efforts have expanded many horizons and turned acquaintances into friendships. Thanks for taking the lead in building this community.
Steve Player
Steve Player
One of the highlights of my last year was doing the podcast with you and Bill Waddell on the heart and soul of manufacturing. We were so in-sync with our ideas that one person’s comment inspired another introspective comment by the others. It’s a pleasure and an honor to be part of the Lean Frontiers community.
Michele Nash-Hoff
Michele Nash-Hoff
Lean centers on people and gaining the best that all have to offer. I don’t know of a better group of people to emulate this ideal than the team at Lean Frontiers. I love working with these folks and simply being able to call them friends!
Joe Murli
Joe Murli
Work is a burden for some. For others like my friends at Lean Frontiers, it is a pleasure. I think that is why I feel so comfortable with and always look forward to working with them. We are on an enjoyable journey together and have become true friends over the years! It’s a journey predicated on evolving lean methodology for sure, but is also a journey of life where we are all peers giving and receiving ideas and support freely and with enthusiasm in business and for pleasure. The entire staff at Lean Frontiers is a very important and wonderful part of my business family.
Jean Cunningham
Jean Cunningham
Over the past 5 years, I had the privilege of coming to know Jim Huntzinger and his staff at Lean Frontiers both as business colleagues and friends. He and his staff are always energetic and passionate about their services as well as the relationships they work hard to nurture and develop. Jim understands that in life it’s about people and relationships you build that propel everyone forward. I count is as gain that I’ve had the opportunity to experience the value Jim and his team have added to my life!
Brandon Brown
Brandon Brown
I’ve known Jim, Dwayne and the team from Lean Frontiers for over a decade and they are some of most sincere, helpful and knowledgeable people I’ve dealt with. More importantly, they are good friends and share the same values.
Jerry Solomon
Jerry Solomon
I’ve worked with the folks at Lean Frontiers for almost ten years. The relationship has grown to where Jim, Dwayne, Amanda and Jaclyn are more than just business partners. They really feel like family – we seek out new adventures, work through problems together, argue, laugh and enjoy the journey. In the end, they are people you can trust. Trust that the common goal is always more important than the individual needs, trust that no matter what happens they will always have your back, just like family.
Scott Curtis
Scott Curtis
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Lean Frontiers, Inc.
11915 Deer Walk Drive, Cicero, IN 46034
Phone: (765) 425-1475

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