McMurtrywill remain executive chairman with responsibility for group innovation and product strategy. 

Some companies make high quality look easy. One of our top companies has never been late for a customer delivery in 11 years of business. Another has a quality manager with 40 years of experience. Others always seem to be preparing for their next certification audit. 

Bass began his 18-year aerospace manufacturing career managing and leading tool engineers, quality engineers, inspection technicians and tool building tradesmen.

Higgins, a 25-year APQC veteran, assumes reins.

Whether in our work or personal lives, whether for an individual endeavor or to benefit an entire organization or whether collectively or subconsciously, we’ve all asked the question: What is the best approach to getting the best result? 

Everybody knows that our jobs have been going overseas. It’s been happening since the ‘80s and for decades nobody did much to stop it. In recent years people have recognized this as a problem for the structural soundness of the American economy and have begun taking action to reverse it.

Back in October 2012, our column was dedicated to clearing up the difference between training certificates and certifications. At the time, ASQ had been offering certifications for the quality professional for nearly 45 years. 

As I lied once before on these pages, I tend to avoid getting political in these columns with the exception of the occasional cheap generic shot. But since this is the first column of the new year, it’s that time again when the past year is reviewed and the number crunching begins. 

I recently attended a lecture by an industrial statistician. Part of the lecture included a summary of Dorian Shainin’s body of work. I had to smile as the lecturer spoke about Shainin’s “exaggerated claims” of the results attributed to his methods and his infamous “pre-control.” 

The National Association of Manufacturers announced new 2018 leadership for its Council of Manufacturing Associations (CMA) with Chris Jahn, president of The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), serving as chair.