REGISTRATION OPEN!
Virtual Lean Peer Group #33
June 17, 2025 to May 19, 2026
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Build a Lean Culture to Ensure Long-Term Success
🚀 Lean Applies Everywhere! 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 join one of the other Group meetings.
🗂️ Format:
📘 Lean Training/Discussion - 1 Hour 🔍 Topic Examples: Lean Leadership, Resistance to Change, Influence/Motivation, Support System Alignment, Engagement Methods, Office Lean, Lean Fundamentals, Key Lean Tools.
📊 Company Presentation - 30 Minutes At each meeting, a Member Company provides a short presentation on Lean activities in their organization—such as a company project, challenge, or Lean plans—for Group learning and/or to obtain member input.
💬 Open Discussion - 30 Minutes An opportunity for members to share experiences, seek input, and discuss issues and challenges.
🎯 Program Features!
🌍 Member Locations: Participation is open to organizations and individuals from any region, not limited to Maryland. The video conference format allows participants to join from anywhere, making it accessible regardless of location.
👥 Number of Members: No limit! With videoconferencing, there are no room capacity concerns. Plus, the number of participants per company is not restricted (within reason).
📆 Number of Meetings: There are 12 monthly meetings, and MWCC Quarterly Conferences and Lean Learnings are no-cost to members.
🤔 Who Should Attend?
🏢 Organizations: Our Lean Peer Groups include a mix of companies across various industries and Lean maturity levels—from those just starting to Lean-mature organizations. The only requirement is a sincere commitment to continuous improvement.
👤 Meeting Attendees: No restrictions on company position—typical attendees include Lean facilitators and company leaders. Front-line leaders would greatly benefit from participation. Anyone interested in learning more about Lean is welcome.
💰 What About the Cost?
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership (a $1250 value!).
💡 Grant Opportunity: Your company might qualify for 50% reimbursement of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round (subject to funding availability). This means Maryland companies could effectively pay $250 for their entire organization for a year-long program.
🌎 Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.
Your Lean Peer Group Facilitator
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.
Questions?
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).
Virtual Lean Peer Group #34
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.)
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.
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.)
LEAN SIX SIGMA GREEN BELT CERTIFICATION
(See below re Training Funds)
The Maryland World Class Consortia is pleased to bring you the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification in partnership with the Dr. Mikel J. Harry Six Sigma Management Institute (SSMI).
The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Program of Study is intended to develop technical leaders who are capable of propelling their respective organizations toward best-in-class status by reducing costs, improving cycle times, eliminating defects, eliminating variation, and significantly increasing customer satisfaction.
Green Belts are highly trained practitioners who possess the technical knowledge and skills that are necessary to facilitate breakthrough improvements in key processes that support the overall business aims and operational goals of an enterprise.
Commitment
This comprehensive 20-week Green Belt Course will require a five (5) hour weekly commitment. The actual task time will vary. The program's webinar schedule for the Blended Learning model will be assigned by the facilitator and the students based on their availability.
Program Cost
The fee for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Program is $1995 per person and includes a free one-year membership to the MWCC (a $1250 value). This tuition covers all academic modules and course training material. Students will receive a training guide in the form of Summary Slides that review each module in the form of PDF files.
Participants who successfully complete the program will be presented with a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate.
COMPLETE COURSE DESCRIPTION HERE
TRAINING FUNDS
Maryland manufacturing & technology companies can be eligible for 50% reimbursement of the program training costs. Please contact Joyce La Padula at 410-960-3785 or via email at joyce@leanmaryland.com for reimbursement criteria.
The LSSGB Program is appropriate for workers at all levels in the organization. This structured program provides guidance for change agents the organization may be underutilizing. No prior exposure to Lean Six Sigma is required. Candidates would enjoy solving problems, working with data as well as working in a project-based, team-oriented environment.
Prerequisites
Basic arithmetic skills are essential (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals) and a basic knowledge of statistics . Basic computer skills are also essential. In this context, a rudimentary understanding of Excel is highly recommended.
If you have questions about this program, contact MWCC Managing Director, Joyce La Padula (410-960-3785).
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
Topic: Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA)
Join Chad Schneider, P.E., as he breaks down how thinking about Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) early in the development process can improve the final product, get products to market faster, and avoid costly production headaches. He’ll be sharing practical tips drawn from Root3 Labs’ own Product Development process that make a big impact for smoother, more predictable outcomes. Whether you're developing new products or improving your current manufacturing process, you'll walk away with concrete ways to design with manufacturing in mind from the start.
About our speaker:
Chad is the founder of Root3 Labs and a senior mechanical design engineer with over 25 years of experience developing complex electromechanical products for medical device, defense, and aerospace clients. He is a licensed Professional Engineer, earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland and an MSE in medical robotics from The Johns Hopkins University, and is named on 16 patents.
Root3 Labs is a Bronze Sponsor of the Maryland World Class Consortia.
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