Chain Reaction Podcast

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...

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 str...

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 re...

 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 Univ...

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...

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!

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 va...

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

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.  

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.