Candidate for Tolomato Island Board of Directors
Heather Rowe
Hi! I am Heather Rowe. Our family purchased our lot on Tolomato Island in 2021 and designed and built our house. We moved into our home in April of 2023.
I am a transplant and ran south after graduating with my Industrial and Systems Engineering Degree from Wright State University in Dayton Ohio. I met my husband, Johnny, in Statesboro Georgia (he is a Georgia Southern graduate). Johnny grew up here in McIntosh County. We moved "home" because we spent most weekends here visiting family and hanging with friends even with 2 young boys in tow (Brady 5 and Connor 3). We have loved living on Tolomato Island and look forward to raising our family here in this beautiful community.
Community service is important to me. I started as a participant in the Relay for Life in 2008, became its Youth Engagement Chair in 2014 and still participate. I have been a United Way Co-Coordinator, and served as the McIntosh County Chamber of Commerce, Event Coordinator, managing in a cost conscious manner, multiple simultaneous objectives. I even participated on Dancing with the Statesboro Stars for two years, a fund-raising event for a domestic violence shelter in Statesboro. Let's say I had "star" status because of the company I worked for, and let me also say, I wasn't the "Pro". I had a blast, and it was a great experience. I was also the Treasurer of a Home Owners Association (HOA) in Statesboro for 3 years. The new housing development had grown at that time to approx. 100 homes.
As a full time mother and full time professional engineer who is fortunately able to work from home, I am prepared to take on the responsibilities of a Board Director. Johnny and I have discussed the time commitment, and he is supportive. We as a family team will make the necessary adjustments.
I want to be involved in my community. As a Board Director I hope to encourage community involvement, open communications, and a family friendly environment. I hope I can earn your vote and that you will support me for the 2024 TIPOA Board of Directors.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Enthusiastic and thorough professional who can convey information with clarity, patience, and the terminology appropriate to specific audiences. Highly organized, diligent, responsible, and able to create/execute complex projects and programs to meet community needs. Extroverted recruiter and relationship builder with a strong desire to serve.
PHOENIX ENGINEERING AND CONSULTING – Project Manager, 2022 – Present
Phoenix Engineering and Consulting is a Profession Engineering (PE) firm. In addition to engineering and Project manager responsibilities, creating process documentation for future growth and providing exceptional customer service, I assist in marketing strategy to continue to bring in new business and reach out to potential clients, develop an understanding of their business needs and verify we are the right fit for the client.
(Note, my profession over uses Acronyms. They are included for technical reference.)
NORDSON CORPORATION, Swainsboro, GA, 2012 – 2021
Continuous Improvement Lead, 2019 – 2021Multi Location responsibility for creating and implementing process improvements through use of Continuous Improvement (CI) techniques and tools.
- Managed and executed cross functional projects creating value for the business.
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) in use of Web Based Business Intelligence (WEBI) system used to create and implement new tools for tracking and evaluating progress of project objectives.
- Organize and Lead Rapid Improvement Events (RIE) for issues/opportunities requiring immediate attention.
- Utilize methodologies like LEAN, SIX SIGMA, and 5S tools to optimize manufacturing, planning, and supply chain value stream maps.
Value Stream Lead, 2012 – 2019
Responsible for harnessing the output of approximately 25 individual contributors into a cohesive production unit meeting and exceeding organizational KPI objectives.
- Responsible for Talent Development including Hire / Fire responsibility for 23-30 team members.
- Increased operational efficiency through redesign of manufacturing layout and process.
- Improved employee engagement through implementation of preferred work schedules.
- Instituted 5S (LEAN Manufacturing) methods
- Created Training methods and tools to ensure efficient onboarding of personnel.
- Ensured Design for Manufacturability was accounted for on new products and managed their introduction into the production process.
- Problem Solving through Root Cause Analysis including 5 Why's and Fishbone Analysis
KOYO BEARINGS, Sylvania, GA, 2010 – 2012
Prepared the Sylvania facility for a transfer of manufacturing of 600 additional Pin and Shaft part numbers from the Honea Path facility.
- Submitting management of change requests to have all the necessary documentation completed.
- Creating operation sheets to outline the process flow.
- Reviewing control plans to meet requirements of APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning).
- Designing layouts to allow for the increase in machines and gages.
Prepared and supported our facility in the switch to SAP (brand) enterprise management software.
- Performed cost analysis and estimates for sales purposes.
- Designed layouts to accommodate new business and to significantly increase production efficiency.
- Created and updated operation sheets to eliminate unnecessary procedures.
- Tracked and organized asset paperwork, improving maintenance
If you would like to ask me questions, you may openly dialogue with me by first clicking on my blog Title and entering a comment at the bottom.