Pam ElrodOffice Manager
Paul WilhiteProgram/Technology Manager
Nathan BergquistProject Engineer
Paige K. CaulfieldMarketing & PR Manager
Mark ThompsonProject Engineer
Michael ReavesProject Engineer
Jody UpchurchDirector of Finance and Accounting
Joey MasseyMEP Program Director
John EspyIT Technology Manager
Jon BowenProject Engineer
Keith PhillipsExecutive Director
Kelley Carden StrengthOffice Manager
Larry CouringtonProject Engineer
Jeff PalmerProject Engineer
Jeff LankfordCenter Director
Jeff GrahamCenter Director
Jared ChoatProject Engineer
Jada FreemanMEP Program Coordinator
James HammondsProject Engineer
Bettye ChapmanLMD Training Facilitator
Gina WebbProject Engineer
Ed SteapletonProject Engineer
Doug BlackmonIT Technology Specialist
Cynthia WalkerOffice Manager
Chris AndersonProject Engineer
Tim HickmanLMD Training Facilitator
Camie HuettAdmin. Assistant to the Executive Director
Ashley LackeyOffice Manager
Becky EstesBusiness Manager
Brandon LineberryProject Manager
Brooke WaldropOffice Manager
Whitney BarlowSupplier Development Manager
Perry ShieldsCenter Director
Sandy LeeOffice Manager
Sheri ComptonProject Manager
Brad JamesCenter Director
Amanda RialsFood Industry Project Engineer
Bruce PerdueProject Engineer
LaVada VarnerCenter Director
Mike PierceProject Engineer
Robert DentonProject Engineer
Robert TomlinsonProject Engineer
Ronny KisorCenter Director
Tim CroleyProject Engineer
Tanesha RichburgNetSuite Administrator
Ronnie DanielsProject Engineer
Grace TrevinoProject Engineer
Jimmy MarleyProject Engineer
Phil KellyProject Engineer
Chris AmosDirector of Operations
Dean GahrProject Engineer - EHS
Matthew WeitzProject Engineer - Aviation
Heath McNaughtonProject Engineer - Quality
Essence DrakeProgram Development Associate
Sarah CarterBusiness Development Manager
Tina Arthur-PeterworthEHS Project Engineer
adr0042@auburn.edu | 334.844.4271
Amanda Richter is an Office Manager located at Auburn University, where she runs the day to day operations of the center.
In the 2 years Amanda has been with ATN – Auburn University, she has increased the efficiency of the office, developed new course content and begun facilitating training, an achievement made possible by her dedication to continuous improvement.
Prior to joining ATN, Amanda spent 5 years as the HR Administrator for Island Hospitality, where she acquired skills in onboarding team members, facilitating training and event planning.
Amanda is certified in the following:
A graduate from Palm Beach Atlantic University, Amanda holds a degree in Psychology. When not hard at ATN - Auburn University, she enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her sons, Christian and Noah.
hicksdp@auburn.edu | 256.565.4020
David Hicks is an Outreach Faculty member at Alabama Technology Network (ATN) – Auburn University, where he assists organizational leaders in strategic planning, improvement implementation, team member coaching & development, and creating intentional cultures.
Including his 15 years with ATN, Hicks has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing, quality and statistics, training, test engineering, plant management and research & development.
David is certified in the following:
A graduate from the University of Alabama Huntsville, David holds a Master’s degree in Engineering.
czarnhg@auburn.edu | 334.524.2103
Hank Czarnecki is the Director at Alabama Technology Network (ATN)-Auburn University, where he works to strategically transform companies by using the Kata methodology to develop a sustainable, problem solving culture.
In 25 years with ATN, Czarnecki has trained and coached thousands of professionals to develop strong critical thinking skills and disciplined improvement habits.
Prior to joining ATN, Hank was a Process Engineer for ArvinMeritor, responsible for implementing the Arvin Total Quality Production System.
Hank Czarnecki is certified in the following:
A graduate from both Auburn University and the University of Pittsburgh, Hank holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering
ahill@cba.ua.edu | 205.222.7111
Alan Hill is the Executive Director of the Alabama Productivity Center (APC), which is an outreach center of The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business. APC is a University partner of the Alabama Technology Network and serves as the ATN-Tuscaloosa Center.
Before joining The University of Alabama in 2012, Alan served as a Project Engineer and the Center Director for the Alabama Technology Network’s Birmingham Center for 14 years. Prior to that, he worked in the industrial equipment manufacturing and aerospace industries for 11 years. He served in both project leadership and quality assurance roles. He holds certifications in Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IATF 16949, and AS9100) and Lean Manufacturing. He also holds a Six Sigma Black Belt.
A graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Alan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as a Master of Engineering degree in Information and Engineering Management. In his spare time, he enjoys working on his antique project car and traveling with his family.
jringenrieth@cba.ua.edu | 205.242.6057
Jan Brazeal Ingenrieth is a Business Services Specialist for the Alabama Productivity Center (APC), which is an outreach center of The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business. APC is a University partner of the Alabama Technology Network and serves as the ATN-Tuscaloosa Center.
Jan joined the Alabama Productivity Center in 2014 and currently provides training and development for businesses throughout Alabama. She also manages and coaches’ students in the statewide APC Internship Program.
Prior to working with the APC, Jan started her professional career in the staffing industry where she managed industrial accounts for the franchise before becoming Operations Manager. During her career in staffing, she supervised up to 350 temporary employees, managed assignments for more than 50 clients with sales of $1 M and managed an internal staff of five. She left staffing and joined the Automotive Industry as a Human Resource Manager of a start-up operation. For the next 11 years, Jan worked in the Automotive Industry as a Human Resource & Safety Manager with increasingly responsible roles for Tier I automotive manufacturers supplying Mercedes, Volkswagen and BMW.
Jan is a Certified Leadership Trainer and Coach through the John C. Maxwell Leadership program and is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional. Jan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Master of Arts in Community Counseling from the University of Alabama. Jan is a member of the Church of the Highlands and enjoys travel, photography and arts and crafts.
susan.maples@ua.edu | 205.292.5848
Susan Maples is a Productivity Engineer for the Alabama Productivity Center, a part of the Culverhouse College of Business at the University of Alabama. Susan graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Engineering with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.
She began her professional career with Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, Kentucky. During her time at Toyota, she worked in the Paint Shop as a Process Engineer and New Model Engineer establishing in-process quality systems, introducing new materials/equipment, and developing countermeasures for pre-production and production issues. She also held management positions in Production and Production Engineering, focusing on standardization and cost reduction. She was trained under a Japanese sensei and acquired a strong foundation in the Toyota Production System. Susan also worked at Michelin Tire (BFGoodrich division) in Tuscaloosa in the roles of Industrial Engineer and Business Unit Leader, leading continuous improvement activities and coaching and developing operators. After Michelin, she was an Industrial Engineer with Industrial Automotive Components focusing on plant flow and layout improvements.
Susan received her Green Belt Certification during her time at Michelin. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Susan joined the Alabama Productivity Center in 2023 bringing her lean manufacturing experience to this position. She enjoys spending her spare time traveling and with her husband and four children.
jprodgers@cba.ua.edu | 251.234.1724
Justin Rodgers is a Productivity Engineer I for the Alabama Productivity Center (APC), a part of the University of Alabama, in the Mobile area. He graduated from the school of College of Human Environmental Sciences with a B.S. in Hospitality Management in 2016.
He began as a business administration student intern for Evonik Industries in 2015 and 2016, a multinational specialty chemical manufacture serving the automotive, plastics, pharmaceutical and other industries in Mobile, AL. Also, in 2015 and 2016, Justin was an intern for the Tuscaloosa County Industrial County Authority completing a county-wide hourly wage survey for Tuscaloosa County in the manufacture industry and doing market research for the county as well. He also served as an intern for the Alabama Productivity Center in 2016 where he worked on multiple projects and researched marketing materials for the center.
Justin joined the Alabama Productivity Center in 2017 with the vision of expanding the center’s services and internship programs in the greater Mobile, AL area. Located at the GulfQuest Maritime Museum in Mobile, AL, Justin is the first APC alum to join the staff and has worked on various projects in Health & Safety, process improvement and problem solving through the APC since 2017. A personal goal of Justin’s is to be able to retain recent college graduates from the State of Alabama to stay in Alabama’s workforce after graduation.
tjohnson18@cba.ua.edu | 205.348.8953
Tara Johnson is the Business Manager of the Alabama Productivity Center (APC), which is an outreach center of The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business. APC is a University partner of the Alabama Technology Network and serves as the ATN-Tuscaloosa Center.
Tara began her professional career with Chuck's Fish Restaurant in Tuscaloosa. She started as a server when no management positions were available, and within one year was the Event Coordinator/Front of House Manager. She carried this position as well as the eventual General Manager position for over 4 years. Her most recent position was working with McGiffert and Associates, LLC as an Administrative Assistant. At McGiffert and Associates, LLC, she served as the point of contact for all contract management. This included reviewing proposals, data mining for said proposals, training employees, typesetting, and budget management.
Tara earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from The University of West Alabama, where she was very active in S.I.F.E., ODK, and Phi Mu Fraternity, and joined the Alabama Productivity Center in March of 2021. She is currently serving the community as Secretary of the Tuscaloosa Area Phi Mu Alumnae chapter, founding member of Young Tuscaloosa, and Project Leader for Operation Christmas Child at Indian Lake Baptist Church. She enjoys spending her spare time outdoors with her husband and son.
mharrison@cba.ua.edu | 205.348.7968
Morgan Harrison is a Productivity Engineer II at the Alabama Productivity Center (APC), which is an outreach center of The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business. APC is a University partner of the Alabama Technology Network and serves as the ATN-Tuscaloosa Center.
Before joining The University of Alabama in 2019, Morgan served as the Manager of Database Operations at Summit Engineering Services, an AT&T Contractor company, for 12 years. Her work also included project management, reviewing and approving invoices, training employees in the use of various databases, and maintaining access control for many AT&T databases. While at Summit Engineering Services, she took on the additional role of Quality Control Specialist, conducting quality reviews of outside plant engineering jobs. Her work also included designing and drafting fiber telecommunication jobs. Prior to that, she worked in the industrial engineering department at Michelin.
A graduate from The University of Alabama, Morgan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering with the Junior League and traveling to the beach with her family.
ben.baxter@ua.edu | 205.348.7957
Ben Baxter is a Productivity Engineer for the Alabama Productivity Center, a part of the Culverhouse College of Business at The University of Alabama. Ben is a 2010 graduate of The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. Ben would later continue his education by earning a Master of Business Administration in 2016 from Troy University. During his time as a UA undergraduate, Ben was a three-time intern with Southern Nuclear at Farley Nuclear Plant in southeast Alabama.
Upon graduation from UA, Ben accepted an offer to return to Southern Nuclear as a Program Engineer who primarily managed the on-going effects of flow-accelerated corrosion on steam and water piping systems. Following his time in the nuclear industry, Ben would move back to Tuscaloosa and spend over five years as a Quality Engineer in the automotive supplier world. In this role, he would serve southern automaker customers such as Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, and Honda Manufacturing of Alabama. With the experience Ben gained in automotive, he would transition into quality assurance leadership with two certified ISO 9001 companies—HarbisonWalker International and Avient Corporation.
Ben joined APC in 2023 bringing his skills in quality assurance, continuous improvement, and proactive safety to this position. He is also an active community member, being an active participant in Leadership Tuscaloosa Alumni Association and Tuscaloosa County UA Alumni Chapter. Lastly, Ben is an elder and member at Hope City Church Tuscaloosa, and he enjoys traveling the fifty states with his wife, Alyson, and their two daughters.
allison.moore@uah.edu | 256.824.2667
Allison Moore is a Research Associate at the Huntsville office of the Alabama Technology Network (ATN). She is responsible for organizing the finances and contracts of the Huntsville ATN center through account management and handles office management support.
Allison has been with ATN for fifteen years. She has over eighteen years working in financial contracts and grants. A graduate from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), Allison Moore holds a degree in Finance. When not hard at work doing office and account management, she enjoys photography and spending time with her three children.
emily.pate@uah.edu | 256.824.5326
Emily Pate is the marketing specialist at the Huntsville office of the Alabama Technology Network (ATN). She is responsible for marketing the Huntsville office services to small to medium size businesses by handling the digital aspects of marketing for the center as well as supporting the project engineers.
Emily has been with ATN for five years. Pate has seven years of experience working in marketing. She has earned two bachelor’s degrees --- Marketing and Studio Art, an achievement made possible by her digital media skill set.
A graduate from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), Emily Pate holds degrees in Marketing and Studio Art. When not hard at work doing marketing, she enjoys collecting and researching historical photography.
jstcomail@gmail.com | 256.824.5326
Jeff is an experienced business development professional working with small and medium-sized enterprises in urban and rural areas of Alabama. His work includes specialized industry research to assist communities, government organizations and private companies with growth initiatives. Projects include economic impact analyses, industry profiles, innovation market research, and strategic planning for all types of organizations.
Jeff is experienced in economic development, corporate finance, management consulting, applied research, and managing business organizations. He has served in the roles of chief operations officer, executive director of an industry association, director of small business development, manager of small business and research programs, corporate financial planning, and research scientist. He regularly interacts with local businesses and business groups in north Alabama.
Jeff holds an M.B.A. from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and a B.S. in accounting from the University of Alabama.
key0001@uah.edu | 256.824.6906
Ms. Yarbrough is the Senior Business Advisor within the Center for Management & Economic Research. She specializes in marketing research, strategic business communications, and management consulting. She has served in the role of president, chief financial officer, and partner in several marketing and management consulting companies. She has worked with a range of clients from high-tech computer and engineering companies to small retail operations since 1982. Yarbrough holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Alabama.
loydn@uah.edu | 256.824.5326
Nicholas Loyd is the Huntsville Center Director for the Alabama Technology Network. Nic has served as a field engineer for ATN and still enjoys projects on a part-time basis. He also serves as the Director of the Center for Management and Economic Research (CMER) at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).
Nic has worked with ATN for twenty years implementing lean production, leadership development, and strategic transformation. His work has spanned a variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, medical, steel fabrication and distribution, education, and government. Nic has played a key role in pioneering the development of lean services for seaport operations.
Nic is a clinical assistant professor for the Industrial and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management (ISEEM) department at UAH, with primary responsibility in leading the Engineering Management graduate program. His primary research interests are lean production, strategic management and culture change, supply chain management, and emerging technologies in manufacturing.
Nicholas Loyd is certified in the following:
Nic has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, a master’s degree in Engineering Management, and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from UAH. When not hard at work, he enjoys his bulldogs, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and playing drums.
