2016 Interview Project Graduate: Chris Durre Interviewer: Riley Atkinson IDM 288 Spring 2016

Overview Mercer Educational Information Work Environment Mercer Education Experience Career Choices Current Career Permissions Spring 2016 Chris Durre Interview conducted by Riley Atkinson

Mercer Educational Information Graduated from Mercer in 2003 BS, in Industrial Management Licenses/ Certifications Certified Quality Engineer – ASQ Lean Bronze Practitioner – ASQ/ SME Six Sigma Black Belt – ASQ Master’s Degree Currently applying for a good program. How well did Mercer Prepare you Very well. The blend of Engineering & Business has truly allowed me to be comfortable regardless of the type of discussion or setting. Spring 2016 Chris Durre Interview conducted by Riley Atkinson

Mercer Educational Information cont. Internship Unilever Best Foods Plant Engineering & Maintenance department Tasks included: Supported a large capital expansion project as the contractor liaison and schedule manager Also served as a member of a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) team Most Helpful Class IDM 355 Quality Management Least Helpful Class CHM 111 General Chemistry Spring 2016 Chris Durre Interview conducted by Riley Atkinson

Work Environment Interaction with People Outside of the Engineering World On a daily basis I work with people doing assembly, business support functions (Procurement, Finance/ Accounting, Management) as well as executives Room for Advancement It’s very competitive at my local division, but there are many opportunities within my company if I become willing to relocate. No Travel Requirement Presentations and Written Reports Required to lead improvement projects Often make presentations for my manager to present to corporate executives Spring 2016 Chris Durre Interview conducted by Riley Atkinson

Current Career Work Environment 2 Current Position: Process Improvement Manager Daily Routine: Monitoring Project Status Providing Leadership Technical Support Training Hours per Week: 45 ~ 55 Weekends: I rarely work on the weekends unless I have to work around production downtime. Receives benefits with a competitive salary Spring 2016 Chris Durre Interview conducted by Riley Atkinson

Current Career Work Environment 3 Skills Essential Organization Communication Analysis Groups or Alone Mostly in groups, though there are many things I’m solely responsible for that require me to work alone. Goal in 5 – 10 years Plan to be the VP of Operations for Manufacturing Company Spring 2016 Chris Durre Interview conducted by Riley Atkinson

Career Path Automotive Industry Commercial Products Company Quality/ Process Engineer Commercial Products Company Supplier Quality Engineer Aerospace Company Quality Manager Production Manager Process Improvement Manager Spring 2016 Chris Durre Interview conducted by Riley Atkinson

Employment Choices Family Life Influence Choice of Specialty Yes. After starting to have kids, I begin to transition my career to a path that required little to no travel, and less potential for working weekends Choice of Specialty The potential of having a technical background coupled with some of the key components to business management, as with the Industrial Management Major, really appealed to me. Spring 2016 Chris Durre Interview conducted by Riley Atkinson

L-3 Communications – Display System Current Career L-3 Communications – Display System Background Located in Alpharetta, GA Founded in 1978 Currently: Process Improvement Manager Spring 2016 Chris Durre Interview conducted by Riley Atkinson

Permission Do you give us your permission to publish your contact information on Dr. Burtner’s website? Yes Do you give us your permission to publish your interview responses on Dr. Burtner’s website? Yes Spring 2016 Chris Durre Interview conducted by Riley Atkinson