Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

R. Kenneth Whittier

Medina

Summary

A dedicated, hands-on leader with business experience across operations, quality and continuous improvement. Awarded the Bronze Star in Operation Iraqi Freedom, chosen as Executive Officer over 35 others, most of them more highly ranked, rated in Top 5% of Battalion. Proven track record of leading and inspiring teams to achieve results.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director, Quality & Continuous Improvement

Spray Products
05.2025 - Current
  • Developed & Implemented Operations Excellence Strategy, resulting in ~25% OEE improvement, ~25% reduction in average changeover time.
  • Developed & Implemented Quality at the Source Strategy, resulting in ~41% reduction in internal and external non-conformances.
  • Responsible for the Quality Control Team, 2 x Managers and ~12 Technicians across two sites.

Continuous Improvement Manager

Spray Products
06.2024 - 05.2025
  • Responsible for driving Continuous Improvement (Lean) initiatives to optimize costs and reduce waste.

Lead Internal Auditor & Senior PDL

Swagelok Companies
08.2021 - 06.2024
  • Responsible for conducting internal quality audits of Swagelok factories and distributorships for compliance with the Swagelok Quality System (aligned with ISO 9001:2015 and NQA-1 requirements).
  • Promoted to Senior PDL to lead Quality Assurance team.

Site Manager

Swagelok Companies
08.2016 - 07.2021
  • Responsible for approximately 110-130 associates and 10-15 Production Supervisors. First at Valve Service Group assembly on nights for ~2 years, then at Fittings Service Group Swagelok Main Plant managing the Shapes manufacturing value stream across 24 x 7 operations and traditional shift for regional assembly.

Area Leader

J.M. Smucker Company
09.2015 - 08.2016
  • Responsible for daily operations of Line 43 (plastics) line; managing technicians and resources across three shifts to produce all 20 oz. squeezable and 27.6 oz. syrup products.

Production Supervisor

Swagelok Companies
11.2007 - 09.2015
  • Responsible for managing and developing direct reports and achieving business goals.
  • Supervised Snow Metal Plating & Chemical Processes, Nov. '07- Oct. '10
  • Manufacturing Supervisor, CNC Machining at Micro products, Oct.'10 – Nov. '11
  • Production Supervisor, CNC MTO Machining at Highland, Nov. '11-Jan. '13
  • Production Supervisor, CNC MTO Flex & Raw Materials at 29500, Jan. '13-Oct. '13
  • Production Supervisor, Impaction Forging, Oct. '13 - Jul. '15
  • Production Supervisor, CNC High Volume Straights, Highland, Jul. '15 - Sep. '15

Branch Manager

Atrium Companies
04.2007 - 10.2007
  • Responsible for daily operations in a B2B distribution and service center for windows, doors and hurricane shutters.
  • Implemented scheduling procedures which resulted in 92% on time installation and 96% on time completion of service calls – company standard 85% and 90%, respectively.
  • Reduced operating costs by $75,000 in first 90 days.
  • Manage staff of 15 to expand business, market share, profitability, ensure on-time product installation and quality control on job-site.

Executive Officer, D Company 1st Battalion, 66th Armor

United States Army
10.2003 - 04.2007
  • Responsible for the logistical readiness and property accountability of a forward deployed 108 man tank company equipped with 14 tanks, 14 support vehicles, and equipment valued in excess of $50 million. At all times prepared to assume command of the company in the absence of the Commander.
  • Awarded a Bronze Star Medal for “leadership,” “devotion to duty,” and “work ethic” during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Also awarded an Army Commendation Medal.
  • Designed and supervised a maintenance program which resulted in a 95% operational readiness rate while averaging 1,100 miles per tank a month for 12 months of combat operations.
  • Implemented tracking systems and standing operating procedures for company property; over 125 separate line items on 3 different hand receipts; resulted in 100% accountability at all times.
  • Ensured adequate on hand quantities of all classes of supply, devised systems to track quantities ordered, received, and due in, with no discrepancies and total asset visibility for the Commander.
  • Assumed company command during Operation Iron Shield III, Operation Urgent Tempest, and Operation Lofty Summit; 100% mission success throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom 0507.
  • Rated in Top 5% with comment, “the best company Executive Officer in the Battalion.”

Platoon Leader

Platoon Leader, D Company 1st Battalion, 66th Armor
09.2004 - 09.2005
  • Responsible for the training, health & welfare of 16 soldiers as well as the tactical employment and maintenance of 4 tanks and associated equipment valued in excess of $12.5M.
  • Lead the platoon through 9 field problems, recognized by the NTC evaluation team for Training Excellence and an Army Commendation Medal.
  • Selected from among 35 peers, including those senior in rank, to become Executive Officer.
  • Rated “best Platoon Leader,” by Company Commander on evaluation report.
  • Executed the duties of company Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Officer.

Education

Bachelor of Arts -

Columbia College
Chicago, IL
06.2002

Skills

  • Relationship building
  • Strategic planning
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Decision-making
  • Operations management
  • Team management
  • Charismatic leader
  • Process improvements
  • Change management

Certification

  • HAZWOPER Incident Commander and Technician Certified November 2009
  • ISO 9001-2008 & NQA-1 Lead Auditor Certified per SAI Global June 2021

Timeline

Director, Quality & Continuous Improvement

Spray Products
05.2025 - Current

Continuous Improvement Manager

Spray Products
06.2024 - 05.2025

Lead Internal Auditor & Senior PDL

Swagelok Companies
08.2021 - 06.2024

Site Manager

Swagelok Companies
08.2016 - 07.2021

Area Leader

J.M. Smucker Company
09.2015 - 08.2016

Production Supervisor

Swagelok Companies
11.2007 - 09.2015

Branch Manager

Atrium Companies
04.2007 - 10.2007

Platoon Leader

Platoon Leader, D Company 1st Battalion, 66th Armor
09.2004 - 09.2005

Executive Officer, D Company 1st Battalion, 66th Armor

United States Army
10.2003 - 04.2007

Bachelor of Arts -

Columbia College

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