Doug Schaffer - Managing Director - Strategy and Organizational Performance ImprovementDoug is The Best Consultants' Managing Director and Principal Consultant with experience as an executive in the high tech industry  and as a consultant in a variety of industries including aerospace, high tech, automotive, material processing, health care and government. For more than twenty years, Doug has worked with organizations at all levels to improve operating performance, enhance customer satisfaction, and instill a culture of continuous improvement. Doug has played a leadership role in developing and implementing improvement methodologies* employed by the best performing organizations in today's global marketplace. Doug brings a deep understanding of Total Quality Systems, Lean Processing, Six Sigma and Team Based Organizational Structures to each client engagement. As a coach, educator and consultant, Doug works to make each organization he touches a engine of operational excellence and innovation, capable of excelling in the toughest competitive environments, while simultaneously creating true value for its customers and its employees.* (Doug pioneered the concept of Competing Based On Customer's Hierarchy Needs  in his article by the same name in the National Productivity Review. This artical was nominated for the Taguchi Award for non-manufacturing services by the journal's editorial board.)

Bill Young - Principal Consultant - Small Business Transition Management

Bill is a Principal Consultant with experience as a

Judy MacDonald - Principal Consultant / Instructor

Judy is a trainer and consultant with more than 20 years experience in adult education and training.  She designs and leads training for businesses and individuals in management, human relations and interpersonal skills.  Judy is a key resource for The Best Consultants' Management Development Program and for engagements which involve the design and implementation of team based organizations. Before joining The Best Consultants, Judy was adjunct faculty at several universities in Seattle, WA, teaching courses in management, leadership, and communication skills.  She currently teaches two on-line courses that she co-designed at Western Washington University in their Emergency Management Certificate Program.  Judy has worked extensively with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an instructional designer and trainer.  She is certified in Critical Incident Stress Management with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.  She is also certified as a Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP) and Incident Command System (ICS) instructor through FEMA.  Judy has also trained internationally. Judy holds an  MBA in Leadership and an MA in Management from City University.

Jeff Kane - Principal Consultant / Lean Enterprise

Jeff has spent 25 years designing, developing and executing lean principles on a global level. Jeff utilizes his broad knowledge base to lead other companies in their transition from traditional operating systems to World Class performance achieving significant profitability improvements. Jeff has a diverse background in business having worked as a Manager in different capacities ranging from production, materials (CPIM), manufacturing, operations and oversaw two divisions as plant manager. As an Executive Vice President of Operations for a tier 1 automotive supplier, he led the Lean transformation of their four manufacturing plants. He has been recognized by many companies and publications for his turnaround accomplishments. Jeff has also worked with Lean Enterprise Institute performing value stream mapping and as a key note speaker on becoming lean.