Chain Reaction Podcast Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:02:03 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2345607 en-us © 2026 Chain Reaction Podcast yes e49820ef-8ab3-56c5-a395-24eca78da3e2 Business Innovation and Lean Center episodic false The Chain Reaction Podcast is sponsored by the Business Innovation and Lean Center, a part of Ferris State University’s College of Business.    

 

Students interview guests throughout each semester/season about their professional experiences with respect to anything and everything related to business and lean topics. 

 

You can find more information about the Business Innovation and Lean Center  at https://www.ferris.edu/business/business-innovation-lean-center/homepage.htm.
 
Contact us if you want to be a part of our podcast as a guest at:  https://ferrisstateuniversity-nezno.formstack.com/forms/bilc_time_donation.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Business Innovation and Lean Center https://storage.buzzsprout.com/eh7x8yj1lkocx7w9pdn7u0n3w7uj?.jpg Chain Reaction Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2345607 Conversation with Koen Zaiser at Magna Conversation with Koen Zaiser at Magna In this episode, host Brooke Boron sits down with Ferris State University, College of Business alumnus Koen Zaiser, now an industrial engineer, he once participated in a Business Innovation and Lean Center experiential project with Yoplait.

Koen shares insights into his day-to-day role as an industrial engineer at Magna, and the path he took to get there. He also reflects how that hands-on project with Yoplait helped shape his career and approach to process improvement.

Tune in to hear a conversation about career growth, personal lessons, and the value of process improvement across industries.

]]> In this episode, host Brooke Boron sits down with Ferris State University, College of Business alumnus Koen Zaiser, now an industrial engineer, he once participated in a Business Innovation and Lean Center experiential project with Yoplait.

Koen shares insights into his day-to-day role as an industrial engineer at Magna, and the path he took to get there. He also reflects how that hands-on project with Yoplait helped shape his career and approach to process improvement.

Tune in to hear a conversation about career growth, personal lessons, and the value of process improvement across industries.

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-18367043 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:00:00 -0500 1151 3 3 full false Conversation with Bob Jacquart at Jacquart Fabric Products and Stormy Kromer Conversation with Bob Jacquart at Jacquart Fabric Products and Stormy Kromer In this episode, we sit down with Jacquart Fabric Products Chairman, Bob Jacquart. With decades of experience in business development, entrepreneurship, leadership, and brand-building, Bob offers valuable insight into what it takes to grow and sustain a successful company.


He also shares a variety of stories, including how the Ferris Stormy Kromer hat came to be, illustrating the importance of strong partnerships, resilience, and thoughtful decision-making. Tune in to be inspired by a small-town entrepreneur!

]]> In this episode, we sit down with Jacquart Fabric Products Chairman, Bob Jacquart. With decades of experience in business development, entrepreneurship, leadership, and brand-building, Bob offers valuable insight into what it takes to grow and sustain a successful company.


He also shares a variety of stories, including how the Ferris Stormy Kromer hat came to be, illustrating the importance of strong partnerships, resilience, and thoughtful decision-making. Tune in to be inspired by a small-town entrepreneur!

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-18286708 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500 1937 3 2 full false Conversation with Christian Carpenter at Premier Restoration Services Conversation with Christian Carpenter at Premier Restoration Services In this episode, we sit down with Ferris alumnus Christian Carpenter. Christian received his B.S. in Business Administration with a Leadership and Project Management minor from the College of Business. He is currently working as a project manager for Premier Restoration Services.  

Christian shares insights into his day-to-day role as a project manager and the path he took to get there. He also reflects how the experiential project that he completed as a student, with Gilson Graphics, helped shape his career and approach to process improvement.

Tune in to hear about career growth, personal lessons, and the value of process improvement across industries.

]]> In this episode, we sit down with Ferris alumnus Christian Carpenter. Christian received his B.S. in Business Administration with a Leadership and Project Management minor from the College of Business. He is currently working as a project manager for Premier Restoration Services.  

Christian shares insights into his day-to-day role as a project manager and the path he took to get there. He also reflects how the experiential project that he completed as a student, with Gilson Graphics, helped shape his career and approach to process improvement.

Tune in to hear about career growth, personal lessons, and the value of process improvement across industries.

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-18180341 Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:00:00 -0500 638 3 1 full false Conversation with Zach Miller at Gilson Graphics Conversation with Zach Miller at Gilson Graphics  In this episode, we sit down with FSU alumnus and current Gilson Graphics team member, Zach Miller.  He walks us through the end-to-end journey of the request-to-printing process and his role in supporting its success.  

He also shares how his interest for printing first began and what initially drew him to the field. Building on that foundation, he explains how his education at Ferris State University—particularly in printing and process improvement courses—helped him successfully transition from the classroom to the professional world. 

Tune in to hear valuable insights on career transition, operational workflows, and the power of continuous improvement in a fast-paced print production environment. 

]]>  In this episode, we sit down with FSU alumnus and current Gilson Graphics team member, Zach Miller.  He walks us through the end-to-end journey of the request-to-printing process and his role in supporting its success.  

He also shares how his interest for printing first began and what initially drew him to the field. Building on that foundation, he explains how his education at Ferris State University—particularly in printing and process improvement courses—helped him successfully transition from the classroom to the professional world. 

Tune in to hear valuable insights on career transition, operational workflows, and the power of continuous improvement in a fast-paced print production environment. 

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-17275022 Tue, 17 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0400 636 full false Conversation with Lonnie Lusby at Boeing Conversation with Lonnie Lusby at Boeing Join us as Lonnie Lusby shares his remarkable journey—from working as a microwave radio repair technician in the U.S. Army to advancing through key roles at Lucent Technologies and AT&T, and ultimately becoming a Level 4 Network Cable Infrastructure Designer at Boeing. In this episode, he reflects on the valuable lessons learned, the insights gained throughout his career, and how he navigates challenges in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving work environment. Tune in for an inspiring story of growth, adaptability, and professional resilience.

]]> Join us as Lonnie Lusby shares his remarkable journey—from working as a microwave radio repair technician in the U.S. Army to advancing through key roles at Lucent Technologies and AT&T, and ultimately becoming a Level 4 Network Cable Infrastructure Designer at Boeing. In this episode, he reflects on the valuable lessons learned, the insights gained throughout his career, and how he navigates challenges in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving work environment. Tune in for an inspiring story of growth, adaptability, and professional resilience.

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-17274823 Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0400 1118 full false Meet the Spring 2025 Podcast Team Meet the Spring 2025 Podcast Team This episode introduces the students behind the Spring 2025 Podcast team. They tell us their backgrounds, their career interests, and why they chose to be a part of the podcast team!

]]> This episode introduces the students behind the Spring 2025 Podcast team. They tell us their backgrounds, their career interests, and why they chose to be a part of the podcast team!

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-17274808 Tue, 03 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0400 324 2 1 full false Lean Specialist, Cliff Cuttorp, Shares Real-World Experiences With Lean Six Sigma Lean Specialist, Cliff Cuttorp, Shares Real-World Experiences With Lean Six Sigma In this episode, join Alexis Stump, Bennett Halle, and Braeden Childress as we sit down with Cliff Suttorp to dive into his firsthand experiences with Lean Six Sigma. Through engaging conversations and insightful discussions, learn about the practical applications of Lean Six Sigma in real-world situations, the challenges he faced, and the valuable lessons he gained throughout his journey. Gain valuable insights and inspiration from his experiences that can help you in your own Lean Six Sigma endeavors. Tune in now to discover the power of process improvement and continuous learning!

]]> In this episode, join Alexis Stump, Bennett Halle, and Braeden Childress as we sit down with Cliff Suttorp to dive into his firsthand experiences with Lean Six Sigma. Through engaging conversations and insightful discussions, learn about the practical applications of Lean Six Sigma in real-world situations, the challenges he faced, and the valuable lessons he gained throughout his journey. Gain valuable insights and inspiration from his experiences that can help you in your own Lean Six Sigma endeavors. Tune in now to discover the power of process improvement and continuous learning!

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-15524683 Sat, 03 Aug 2024 15:00:00 -0400 823 full false Beth Crowley, President and CEO, Shares Her Extensive Journey With Lean Beth Crowley, President and CEO, Shares Her Extensive Journey With Lean Beth Crowley, President and CEO of Crowley Group, shares her substantial history with Lean and provides tips for young professionals entering the workforce.

]]> Beth Crowley, President and CEO of Crowley Group, shares her substantial history with Lean and provides tips for young professionals entering the workforce.

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-15187833 Mon, 03 Jun 2024 19:00:00 -0400 1079 full false When the Finance World Meets Lean, The Chelsea Whiteside Interview When the Finance World Meets Lean, The Chelsea Whiteside Interview Chelsea shares her journey from being in a corporate role to being the plant manager of one the most successful furniture companies globally. She explains how her everyday life and personality helped her make the jump, and why lean comes easy to her.  

]]> Chelsea shares her journey from being in a corporate role to being the plant manager of one the most successful furniture companies globally. She explains how her everyday life and personality helped her make the jump, and why lean comes easy to her.  

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-15076263 Wed, 15 May 2024 17:00:00 -0400 1147 full false From Overseas To Sebright: The Emir Avdic Interview From Overseas To Sebright: The Emir Avdic Interview Emir Avdic is the COO of Sebright Products.  Emir was born in Bosnia and holds a B.S. in business administration, International Business from Grand Valley State University and an MBA from Western Michigan University. He has helped oversee many companies both here in America and overseas. He also serves on board for the Michigan Lean Consortium.

]]> Emir Avdic is the COO of Sebright Products.  Emir was born in Bosnia and holds a B.S. in business administration, International Business from Grand Valley State University and an MBA from Western Michigan University. He has helped oversee many companies both here in America and overseas. He also serves on board for the Michigan Lean Consortium.

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-14948682 Wed, 24 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0400 1387 1 4 full false Get to Know Us: Podcast Team B Get to Know Us: Podcast Team B The team sits down with one another to introduce themselves and reflect over their experience with the Business Innovation Lean Center.

]]> The team sits down with one another to introduce themselves and reflect over their experience with the Business Innovation Lean Center.

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-14906301 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0400 1269 1 3 full false Get to Know the Students Behind Podcast Team A! Get to Know the Students Behind Podcast Team A! This episode introduces the students behind Podcast Team A. They tell us their backgrounds, their career interests, and why they chose to be a part of the podcast team!

]]> This episode introduces the students behind Podcast Team A. They tell us their backgrounds, their career interests, and why they chose to be a part of the podcast team!

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-14864581 Wed, 10 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0400 671 full false Michigan College of Optometry Partners Share Business Impact Through Student Teams Michigan College of Optometry Partners Share Business Impact Through Student Teams This episode contains three guests, all of which have been partners for student experiential projects! They provide insight into how valuable these projects have been for them, and give advice for incoming partners.

]]> This episode contains three guests, all of which have been partners for student experiential projects! They provide insight into how valuable these projects have been for them, and give advice for incoming partners.

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-14859870 Tue, 09 Apr 2024 17:00:00 -0400 732 full false Seasoned Professional and General Mills Manager: Joe Van Culin Explains His Path to Success Seasoned Professional and General Mills Manager: Joe Van Culin Explains His Path to Success General Mills Assistant Operation/Logistics Manager and Ferris State alumnus, Joe Van Culin, tells us about his professional and academic journey and how we was able to find success in the supply chain industry.

]]> General Mills Assistant Operation/Logistics Manager and Ferris State alumnus, Joe Van Culin, tells us about his professional and academic journey and how we was able to find success in the supply chain industry.

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-14823516 Wed, 03 Apr 2024 17:00:00 -0400 540 1 2 full false 30+ Years of Successful Supply Chain Experience: Kurt Knoth Gives us Insight Into How to Flourish in the Workplace 30+ Years of Successful Supply Chain Experience: Kurt Knoth Gives us Insight Into How to Flourish in the Workplace In this episode, we hear from esteemed supply chain professional and Ferris State University alumnus, Kurt Knoth! He talks about how his FSU education helped him find success in the supply chain industry, and even gives tips for students looking to climb the ranks.

]]> In this episode, we hear from esteemed supply chain professional and Ferris State University alumnus, Kurt Knoth! He talks about how his FSU education helped him find success in the supply chain industry, and even gives tips for students looking to climb the ranks.

]]> Business Innovation and Lean Center Buzzsprout-14820548 Wed, 03 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0400 1069 1 1 full false