Duane Plymel
Summerville,SC
Summary
Dynamic aviation maintenance professional with over 30 years of experience in the aircraft industry, specializing in safety and quality control practices. Proven expertise in training development and delivery, project management, process improvement, and quality control, demonstrated through a successful tenure as a Boeing project instructor for ReadySC delivering composite repair, sealant, and quality inspection curriculum to BSC 787 employees. Recognized for providing superior manufacturing and quality control training across multiple Boeing disciplines. A dedicated advocate for safety and quality enhancements, consistently driving organizational goals through the integration of innovative maintenance and quality policies.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Manufacturing Technical Instructor Composites
ReadySC Boeing Project
10.2020 - Current
- Provides classroom and hands-on instruction for Boeing learners in multiple Industrial Maintenance and Manufacturing disciplines ensuring industrial safety practices and cost-efficient methodologies are the key of focus.
- Composite Repair and Fabrication instructor qualified in Composite repair levels 1-3, Composite repair inspection and Bond Layup. COMREP100, COMREP 200, COMREP300, COMREPINS and 77107.
- Manages team Process Improvement Program using established Lean and Six Sigma procedures to decrease work area surplus while improving organization and standardization of policy to ensure 100 percent compliance.
Manufacturing Technical Instructor Sealants
Ready SC Boeing Project
01.2019 - 09.2020
- Provided classroom and hands-on sealant and safety training to Boeing employees for 18 sealant qualification courses both in and out of the fuel tank.
- Recognized subject matter expert for Body Sealant Inspection and Fuel Tank Sealant Inspection courses for the Boeing 787 program.
- Provided sealant training for over 400 Boeing employees ensuring quality maintenance and inspection practices were developed.
Director of Training and Operations
US Navy
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Senior member of the command training department; responsible for curriculum development and implementation, professional development, and instructor qualification program.
- Inaugural Training and Operations Director for Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Center. Developed the organization’s training department from start-up and led a team of 23 military/civilian personnel to establish the US Navy’s first Unmanned Aerial System Test Directorate.
- Created and implemented an intensive instructor qualification and certification program ensuring US Navy instructional theory, curriculum development and personnel safety practices were incorporated, provided 178 qualified technicians to newly developed UAV operational units.
- Managed extensive project to develop and implement a comprehensive training and maintenance plan maximizing personnel and materials to begin operations of a technical UAV training facility.
- Organization’s “Senior Instructor”, fully qualified to instruct Aviation Electronics, Wire Connector Repair, and Quality Control Inspection and Auditing courses for the US Navy’s MQ-4C Triton. Logged over 600 hours of technical instruction and over 800 hours of “Train-the-Trainer” to qualify new instructors.
Maintenance and Operations Supervisor
US Navy
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Led and managed all aircraft maintenance functions in relation to aircraft status, workload requirements, personnel assignments and operational tasking and commitments.
- Managed four integrated maintenance detachments comprised of 97 personnel performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on 11 H-60 helicopters and 4 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
- Restructured the Maintenance Department utilizing Lean/Six Sigma Continual Process Improvement methodologies. Reduced all administrative processing time by 47 percent and directly increased production performance.
- Developed and implemented an aggressive reorganization and training program. This culture shift resulted in all safety, quality control and maintenance programs being successfully overhauled in an eight month time frame.
Electronics Supervisor, Technician, and Quality Assurance
US Navy
01.1991 - 2013
- Led multiple aviation departments including Maintenance/Production Control, Quality Assurance, Electronics, Logistics and Flight Line Operations.
- Subject Matter Expert in aviation electronics maintenance, logistics management and quality control procedures and policies for multiple Naval aviation platforms, fixed wing, rotary wing and Unmanned systems.
- Utilized Microsoft Word/Excel/Powerpoint/Visio skills to create and implement updates to Naval aviation policy documents and technical manuals.
Education
Associates of Science - Electronic Technology
Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, CASkills
- Data analysis capabilities
- Quality control expertise
- Strong communication skills
- Curriculum development expertise
- Team leadership and management
- Aircraft maintenance/quality experience
- REDARS/EID skills
- Boeing BAC and specification
Timeline
Manufacturing Technical Instructor Composites
ReadySC Boeing Project
10.2020 - Current
Manufacturing Technical Instructor Sealants
Ready SC Boeing Project
01.2019 - 09.2020
Director of Training and Operations
US Navy
01.2016 - 01.2018
Maintenance and Operations Supervisor
US Navy
01.2013 - 01.2016
Electronics Supervisor, Technician, and Quality Assurance
US Navy
01.1991 - 2013
Associates of Science - Electronic Technology
Coastline Community College