Paul Susalla

Paul Susalla has a diverse work experience spanning over several decades. Their most recent role is as the Vice President of Advanced Manufacturing Engineering at JB Poindexter & Co, a position they have held since April 2021. Prior to this, from 2014 to 2020, Susalla worked at Parker Hannifin as the Corporate Manufacturing Technology Advancement Director. In this role, they led a manufacturing transformation and culture change to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost across the enterprise. Susalla also worked at TechShop, Inc. as an Instructor from 2013 to 2014.

Before their time at Parker Hannifin and TechShop, Inc., Susalla had a long career at Ford Motor Company. From 2008 to 2014, they served as the Manager for Rapid (Additive) Manufacturing, where they turned around issues with Additive Manufacturing equipment and processes and expanded the business to deliver parts on schedule. Prior to that, from 2007 to 2008, Susalla was the Manager for Prototype Transmission Assembly and Test, responsible for all company prototype transmissions worldwide. Paul also held various other roles at Ford, including 6-Sigma Master Black Belt, Engineering Section Supervisor for Hybrid Transmission Assembly and Test, Engineering Section Supervisor for Washers and Automation, and Senior Technical Specialist, In-Process Testing & 6-Sigma Master Black Belt - Level II.

Susalla's career began at Saturn in 1986, where they served as a Transmission Test Engineer, developing new systems and managing cultural change resulting in worldwide adoption in the industry. Paul also worked at General Motors from 1981 to 1986, as a Reliability and Quality Assurance Engineer and as a GMI Engineering Co-Op Student. Overall, Susalla's work experience demonstrates their expertise in manufacturing engineering, leadership, and driving improvements in safety, quality, and cost-efficiency.

Paul Susalla received their Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University, where they studied from 1981 to 1986. Paul then pursued further education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, completing a Master of Science (MS) degree in Mechanical Engineering from 1987 to 1988. Later, they went on to earn another Master of Science (MS) degree, this time in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, studying from 1991 to 1993.

In addition to their formal education, Paul Susalla has obtained several certifications. In 2000, they received a 6-Sigma Black Belt certification from the Six Sigma Academy. Paul also attained the 6-Sigma Master Black Belt certification, Levels I & II, from the same institution in 2001, although the specific month of attainment is not provided.