Don Waln
Rome,Georgia
Summary
I am a self-motivated and highly organized professional who excels at identifying and improving inefficient systems and processes. With strong multitasking skills, a focus on continuous improvement, and two decades of troubleshooting experience, I am always seeking opportunities to make things better and more efficient. I am eager to bring my skills and proactive mindset to an engineering role where I can contribute to meaningful improvements and help achieve team goals.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Plant Digital Lead
Kellanova
03.2024 - Current
- Lead & support implementation of digital tools throughout the plant
- Lead team of Smart Factory section leaders to define, align & effectively achieve the goals of each area
- Center Of Excellent board member for both Technical & Continuous Improvement COEs
- Productivity Project Execution Lead – Define project scope ensure project adheres to corporate standards
- Technical Lead on Factory Acceptance Tests
- Coordinate onsite FCO, Training & Documentation with all departments (Sanitation, QA, AM, Maint, Ops)
Industrial Electrician
Kellanova
11.2022 - 03.2024
- Troubleshoot & maintain electrical & PLC equipment
- Worked on multiple project teams for equipment upgrades and commissioning, with a focus on productivity, reliability and equipment maintenance from the technician
- Maintain GMPs, Food & Personal Safety, and PCIS standards on all tasks
Electronics Technician
Ball Cups
10.2021 - 10.2022
- Maintain electrical/PLC systems of high speed production equipment as sole Electrician on shift
- Troubleshoot line control, camera systems, taper/stamping, conveyance and robotic packaging
- Create and implement GANTT charts for Functional Check-out of new equipment during Line 2 Project
- Perform FCOs for Line 2 Project, ensure all installation and components met Ball Corporation’s Equipment Standards & Specifications
- Obtain and review necessary documentation of new equipment (accurate prints, current copy of PLC programs and parameters, manuals, etc)
- Document discrepancies and work with contractors to ensure equipment was within S&S prior to signoff
Controls Technician, Shift Crew Leader, Process Improvement Technician
Toyo Tires
06.2006 - 10.2021
- Shift Crew Leader | September 2020 - October 2021: Ensure smooth transition from previous shift with regards to production needs and completion of open tasks
- Prioritize tasks and assign them to the crew as work orders are received
- Plan appropriate manpower, parts and tooling for tasks assigned
- Provide training and support for crew when troubleshooting production equipment
- Maintain accurate CMMS records to track labor cost, parts cost, downtime and relevant information
- Coordinate with Production Management to prioritize when demand exceeded available manpower
- Ensure equipment PMs are performed on schedule and documented per ISO 9001:2015 standards
- Promote a safe work environment, address safety concerns, and develop safe alternatives when needed
- Conduct subordinate reviews, developmental counseling, and guidance for professional growth
- Controls Technician | June 2006 - September 2020: Responsible for timely diagnosis and repair on robotic & automated manufacturing equipment while maintaining personal and product safety
- As a Controls Technician scope of work included servo replacement, programming, tuning, positioning verification, tracking product data RDBMS/SQL, examining PLC logic to locate root cause of operational deficiencies
- Perform PMs & Documentation of designated equipment to ISO 9001 & Ford Q1 standards
- Process Improvement Technician | 2010 - 2012: Analyze the operational process of automated equipment, identify and implement changes in physical operation and edit PLC programming to decrease cycle time and increase production output while maintaining reliability
- Track progress and report via powerpoint presentations in daily/monthly production goal meetings
Sergeant (E5)
Georgia Department of Defense (GASDF)
01.2011 - Current
- 2/1 Bravo Company 1st Squad Leader
- Search and Rescue Specialist II (Team Leader)
- Provide Training, Guidance and Developmental Counselling to ensure the success of all soldiers within my team
- Support Senior NCO/Officers by ensuring tasks and missions are completed to the best of capabilities
- Report inefficiencies / deficiencies to senior leadership along with observations and recommendation reports when appropriate
- Conduct After Action Reviews post training/missions
- Identify areas to sustain and improve
- Work with leadership team to improve training/operations per AARs
Education
CAPM - Project Management
Project Management Institue
08-2025
Skills
- Proficient in Allen Bradley PLC & HMI Systems
- Proficient in Safety-Related PLC Applications
- Proficient in Line Control Programming
- Expertise in Three-Phase Motor Systems
- Automation Control Expertise
- Attention to detail
- Dependable and responsible
- Excellent communication
- Organizational skills
Certification
- NFPA 70E - Electrical and Arc Flash Safety, 01/01/12
- HAM Technician - KN4EQD, 01/01/12
- GA-Emergency Medical Responder, 01/01/12
- Georgia DOD (E5) - Combat Life Saver, 01/01/12
- Georgia DOD (E5) - Search and Rescue (SAR SPEC II), 01/01/12
- Georgia DOD (E5) - Basic Leadership Course (NCO course), 01/01/12
- FEMA IS-200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, 01/01/12
- FEMA IS-00208.a State Disaster Management, 01/01/12
- FEMA IS-00775 EOC Management and Operations, 01/01/12
- FEMA IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS), 01/01/12
- FEMA IS-100.b -Introduction to Incident Command System, 01/01/12
- CAPM - Project Management Institute, In Progress – Q3 2025
Timeline
Plant Digital Lead
Kellanova
03.2024 - Current
Industrial Electrician
Kellanova
11.2022 - 03.2024
Electronics Technician
Ball Cups
10.2021 - 10.2022
Sergeant (E5)
Georgia Department of Defense (GASDF)
01.2011 - Current
Controls Technician, Shift Crew Leader, Process Improvement Technician
Toyo Tires
06.2006 - 10.2021
- NFPA 70E - Electrical and Arc Flash Safety, 01/01/12
- HAM Technician - KN4EQD, 01/01/12
- GA-Emergency Medical Responder, 01/01/12
- Georgia DOD (E5) - Combat Life Saver, 01/01/12
- Georgia DOD (E5) - Search and Rescue (SAR SPEC II), 01/01/12
- Georgia DOD (E5) - Basic Leadership Course (NCO course), 01/01/12
- FEMA IS-200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, 01/01/12
- FEMA IS-00208.a State Disaster Management, 01/01/12
- FEMA IS-00775 EOC Management and Operations, 01/01/12
- FEMA IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS), 01/01/12
- FEMA IS-100.b -Introduction to Incident Command System, 01/01/12
- CAPM - Project Management Institute, In Progress – Q3 2025
CAPM - Project Management
Project Management Institue
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