Virtual Lean Peer Group #34
Build a Lean Culture to Ensure Long-Term Success
MWCC has offered Lean Peer Groups since 2012, and participation is open to organizations anywhere — not just those based in Maryland.
Lean principles apply to all types of organizations, including manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and non-profits. This program is a powerful way to strengthen your Continuous Improvement strategy by connecting with peers who are equally committed to building and sustaining a Lean culture.
Schedule - Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly via Zoom. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) However, if anyone is unable to attend on these dates, they may attend one of the other Group meetings.
Format:
Program Features!
Who Should Attend?
What about the cost?
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership, a $1250 value.
NOTE: Your company might qualify for grant reimbursement of 50% of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round. (This reimbursement is subject to availability of funding and adequate appropriation.) Considering these factors, the effective cost for Maryland company participants would be $250 for the whole organization for this year-long program. (Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.)
Your Lean Peer Group Facilitator
Dan Protzman has been a consulting partner to MWCC since 2019, bringing deep expertise in Lean and leadership development. As Vice President at Business Improvement Group, he helps organizations align strategy, execution, and culture. Dan is one of the few certified Lean Master Practitioners in the U.S., with additional credentials in TWI Job Instruction, the Harada Method, and Lean Leadership. He has trained in Japan with Toyota and the Shingo Institute.
Questions?
If you have questions about this program, contact MWCC Managing Director, Joyce La Padula, 410-960-3785.
LEAN PEER GROUP COHORT #35
February 18, 2026 thru January 20, 2027
Lean applies to any type of organization and processing environment. Whether you are a manufacturer, distributor, service organization, or a non-profit, this program should be part of your Continuous Improvement plan. Revamp and re-energize your Lean strategy by networking with and learning from others who are committed to creating a Lean culture.
Schedule - Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) However, if anyone is unable to attend on these dates, they may attend one of the other Group meetings.
Organizations – Not just for manufacturers, our Lean Peer Groups have a mix of companies from a broad range of industries and Lean maturity levels, from those who are just getting started to some who would be considered Lean-mature organizations. The only real requirement is a sincere desire and commitment to moving forward on this never-ending journey of excellence.
Meeting Attendees – There are no restrictions as to company position, but typical attendees include Lean facilitators and company leaders. Specifically, front-line leaders would gain greatly from ongoing participation. Though anyone in the organization who wants to learn more about Lean is welcome to participate.
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership, a $1250 value. NOTE: Your company might qualify for grant reimbursement of 50% of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round. (This reimbursement is subject to availability of funding and adequate appropriation.) Considering these factors, the effective cost for Maryland company participants would be $250 for the whole organization for this year-long program. (Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.)
Dave Rizzardo has been the Associate Director of MWCC since 2014. In 2012, he co-developed the Lean Peer Group service and has been facilitating multiple groups since that time. His Lean experience predates the time when Lean became synonymous with business excellence. His recently published book, "Lean - Let's Get It Right! How to Build a Culture of Continuous Improvement", dives into many of the topics discussed and debated during the MWCC Lean Peer Group meetings.
If you have questions about this program, contact MWCC Associate Director, Dave Rizzardo (717-855-0765) , or MWCC Managing Director, Joyce La Padula (410-960-3785).
LEAN PEER GROUP COHORT #36
July 14, 2026 to June 15, 2027
Schedule - Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly VIA ZOOM. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) Anyone unable to attend on these dates may attend one of the other Group meetings.
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership, a $1250 value. NOTE: Your company might qualify for grant reimbursement of 50% of the $3120 fee at the end of the Peer Group round. (This reimbursement is subject to availability of funding and adequate appropriation.) Considering these factors, the effective cost for Maryland company participants would be $250 for the whole organization for this year-long program. (Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.)
Join us for one of our complimentary, virtual “Lean Learnings” sessions — fast-paced, practical discussions designed to deliver immediate value. From 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., hear a focused presentation from an MWCC consultant, member company, or guest speaker on proven Lean methodologies and real-world applications.
Lean Learnings
Join us for:
Operational Resilience: Where Lean Meets Crisis Management
Discover Cynefin - a fascinating framework that unifies operational excellence and emergency management - and gain a powerful framework for navigating complexity. In this session, you will acquire core readiness principles and proven techniques of Adaptive Business Continuity to deploy the moment a crisis strikes. You will walk away with actionable insights to build your own Zero-Hour Playbook that turns adversity into a business advantage.
Cynefin Framework image by Thomas Cox, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Our speakers:
Ryan Miller is the Principal of Critical Functions LLC, where he helps organizations protect their mission from disaster. Previously, Ryan served as the Emergency Management Director for Howard County, Maryland, leading responses to complex disasters, including back-to-back historic flash floods. A Governor-appointed member of the Maryland Emergency Management Advisory Council (GEMAC), Ryan also serves as adjunct faculty at Loyola University Maryland and The George Washington University. He is also Secretary of the Board for the Maryland World Class Consortia. He holds an M.S. in Engineering Management from GWU, is a certified PMP, and maintains specialized certifications in risk management, emergency management, and business continuity.
Charlie Protzman is the founder of Business Improvement Group (BIG), bringing over 40 years of experience implementing TQM, Lean, and Agile principles globally. A former Strategic Operations Manager and the first Lean Master for AlliedSignal (now Honeywell), he has spent nearly three decades leading successful workshops for organizations ranging from small businesses to Fortune 100 corporations. An international keynote speaker and co-author of the Maryland World Class Guidelines, Charlie also carries on a deep family legacy: his grandfather, Charles W. Protzman Sr., co-taught the foundational 1948–1950 management courses in Japan that directly paved the way for TQM and W. Edwards Deming’s quality revolution. Charlie holds a BA and an MBA from Loyola University Maryland.
THIS IS A ZOOM EVENT.
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