Peak Performance: How to Achieve and Sustain Excellence in Operations Management

The key to success and reaching peak performance is integrating three processes to optimize business through the use of human performance improvement tools, lean thinking, operational excellence, along with a strong organizational culture as the underpinning. These components form the basis of the Peak Performance Model. The tools presented in this book, along with the case studies, demonstrate how the model is applied and integrated into company practices. Companies and organizations want to improve their performance, but many have not integrated the right tools and processes. Through the application of the Peak Performance Model, every company can achieve and sustain Peak Performance.

Patricia M. Allen has over 35 years of experience in Engineering, Operations, Environment, Safety and Health, Quality Assurance, Contractor Assurance, and Human Performance. P. Allen has held various executive leadership positions in complex operations, leading large organizations in the development and implementation of integrated safety management, environmental compliance, radiological protection, industrial safety, industrial hygiene, training and procedures, quality assurance, and emergency preparedness programs. Ms. Allen has lead organizations to achieve significant cost saving by implementing Lean tools, optimizing operations, and creatively expanding the skill sets of employees to accomplish more work. Ms. Allen has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Louisville and a Master of Science, Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville. She holds a certification as Safety Trained Supervisor, Certified Performance Technologist and qualified as a Lead NQA-1 Auditor. Ms. Allen holds a patent associated with a Mobile Slip Simulator. Ms. Allen is a member of the American Society Chemical Engineers, American Society of Safety Professional, International Society for Performance Improvement, and the National Management Association and serves on the Board of Directors for the Central Savannah River chapter.

Dr. Frances E. Alston has built a solid career foundation over the past 30 years in leading the development of, management, and of Environment, Safety, Health and Quality (ESH&Q) programs in diverse cultural environments. She has been effective in facilitating integration of ESH&Q programs and policies as a core business function while leading a staff of business, scientific, and technical professionals. She is skilled in providing technical expertise in regulatory and compliance arenas as well as determining necessary and sufficient program requirements to ensure employee and public safety, including environmental stewardship and sustainability. Dr. Alston holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Hygiene and Safety, a M.S. degree in Hazardous and Water Materials Management/Environmental Engineering, a M.S.E. in Systems Engineering/Engineering Management, and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Dr. Alston is a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) and holds certifications as a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) and a Professional Engineering Manager (PEM). She is an Adjutant Professor and the 2018 President for the American Society For Engineering Manager.

Emily J. Millikin has over 33 years of leadership experience in regulatory, environmental, radiation protection, and safety and health at Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Defense (DOD) chemically and radiologically contaminated sites. Ms. Millikin has served in numerous leadership positions associated with Safety, Health, and Quality programs and managed all aspects of program, cost, and field implementation of Safety and Health, Industrial Hygiene, Radiological Control, Quality Assurance, Contractor Assurance System, Emergency Preparedness, Safeguards and Security, Occupational Health, and Price-Anderson Amendment Act Programs. Additionally, she has established and successfully led employee behavioral-based safety observation programs and successfully achieved Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status. Ms. Millikin currently provides safety and health and industrial hygiene consulting services to the DOE for the Hanford Site Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant and Tank Farms Projects and is President of Comprehensive Safety Services. Ms. Millikin earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health in with double majors in Industrial Hygiene and Health Physics from Purdue University. She is a Certified Safety Professional, Safety Trained Supervisor, and certified in the National Registry for Radiation Protection Technologists.