Chris Warren

Chris Warren
La Crosse, Wisconsin Area
Safety Leader at Ingersoll Rand / Trane – La Crosse

Summary
A Safety, Quality and Productivity (SQP) / (Continuous Improvement) leader in developing a culture of
employee empowerment. Utilization of many tools and techniques; MDI, A3 problem solving, Kaizen
(RIE), 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work / Operational Procedures (SOP), Training Within
Industry (TWI), Outreach training and educational seminars. Recognized as a motivated innovator
of processes, using exceptional analytical and problem solving skills. A strategic / visionary planner,
coach and mentor with the ability to bring teams together. Focuses on the completion of priority tasks
that match up with strategic plans. Proficient in devising unique solutions to challenging situations.

Specialties: Safety – Construction, General Industry (Manufacturing) & Maritime
OSHA Outreach Instructor (CFR 1926 & 1910)
Lean Continuous Improvement (MDI, A3 problem solving, 2P, RIE / Kaizen, 5S)
Six Sigma Black Belt Data Analysis
Training Within Industry (TWI)
Quality
Environmental
DOT

Experience
Safety Leader at Ingersoll Rand / Trane
September 2014 – Present (3 years 4 months)
Responsible for creating, updating and implementing a new safety culture at a large manufacturing
orientated company that is growing. Also, incorporating their existing Lean activities into their
Safety initiative for following the road map for their continuous process improvement journey.

Heading up one of the IR corporate safety initiatives; Behavior Based Safety (BBS)

Process Excellence Engineer at Ingersoll Rand / Trane
July 2013 – September 2014 (1 year 3 months)
Served as a support engineer for operators in Plant 4 and 7. Leading a corporate A3 for
Standardization of overall training processes and for a new chiller unit. Utilizing Training Within
Industry (TWI) methodology to be able to retain the highest level of Standard Work knowledge.
Tools:
TWI, Job Instruction (JI) and Job Breakdown Sheets (JBS)
RIE / Kaizen / 2P
5S tool utilization
Standard Work
A3 – Problem Solving
MDI – Manage for Daily Improvement
Safety Leadership for La Crosse Campus

Corporate Health & Safety Director at JF Brennan Co., Inc.
July 2012 – July 2013 (1 year 1 month)
J.F. Brennan Company Inc. is a marine construction and environmental remediation company that
provides high-quality services to engineering, utility, railroad, paper mill, government, municipality,
and harbor entities located throughout the inland waterways of the United States. Services
included dredging, diving, dam repairs, pile driving, railroad bridge repairs, in-situ capping.

-Company had not sustained a LTI during my tenure
-Managed staff of 5 on site safety managers
-Set budget and annual goals for department
-Expanded/updated existing written Safety Program & submitted to ISNetworld for approval
-Written Accident Prevention Plans to Corps of Engineers (COE) for site appoval and access
-Oversaw all Insurance responsibilities
-Performed safety training
-Oversaw all safety and training records
-Performed on-site safety observations

Safety & Quality Improvement Manager at Voith Paper Fabrics & Rolls Systems Inc.
October 2011 – July 2012 (10 months)
Voith Paper Fabrics in Appleton WI. manufacturers press fabric felt clothing for tissue and graphic
machines. The manufacturing is performed by over 200 union employees with a 250,000 square
foot facility. It sits on a 31 acre site since 1969 and was purchased from Appleton Mills in 1983.

-Company had not sustained a LTI during my tenure
-Oversaw all Safety activities, including the DuPont “STOP” program, Pure Safety and training.
-Directed all Quality expectations with all products manufactured.
-Participated in Operational Excellence Program, Lean Six Sigma Kaizen events.
-Coordinated all training & inspections for the sites environmental SPCC plan

Manufacturing Coach (Safety, Quality and Productivity) at Eggers Industries
January 2011 – July 2011 (7 months)
A full service single source union commercial wood product manufacturer. Employees 120
employees and 50 administrative staff at the Two Rivers location.. With the second location in
Neenah, Eggers Industries manufactures architectural flush doors, true stile and rail doors, door
frames, veneered plywood panels, ceiling tiles and custom veneered components for premier
commercial projects (Contract Position).

Coached, Educated and Motivated 36 employees in Safety, Quality, Productivity. Budged activities
in the door manufacturing industry. Exceeded all material expectations.

Safety, Quality and Productivity Director at Jones Sign Company
October 2009 – December 2010 (1 year 3 months)
A full service single source non-union sign manufacturing/installation company. Over 175
Installation, fabrication and office employees.

Creating and implementing a new safety culture at a family orientated company that was growing.
Also, had led their existing Lean activities and developed a road map for their continuous process
improvement journey.

-Company had not sustained a LTI during my tenure
-Expanded/Updated the existing Safety Program (manuals)
-Oversaw all Insurance responsibilities
-Performed all safety training
-Oversaw all safety and training records
-Performed all on-site safety observations
-Directed all DOT activities
-Coordinated all Lean continuous improvement activities (5S and standard work)
-Oversaw all UL 48 Quality activities (Underwriters Laboratory)

Dir. of Risk Management and Lean Continuous Improvement at Tweet Garot Mechanical
May 2006 – September 2009 (3 years 5 months)
A full service single source union mechanical contracting company that installs plumbing, heating,
air conditioning and process piping systems. We also install and fabricate sheetmetal, process
ductwork, mechanical systems and other process equipment. Over 350 union employees located
throughout the Midwest and 50 administrative/support staff. With annual sales in excess of $70
million.

Reporting directly to the President and COO of the company. Creating a vision and led their
continuous improvement process, provided knowledge to assist in managing company risk/
oversaw their safety minded culture and staff. I was also responsible for all aspects of the tool/
equipment division.
-The company had not sustained a LTI in my last 7.5 years (5 Million work hours) with the company
(2001 – 2009)
-Directed the company’s Lean guiding coalition in correlation with Strategic plan
-Facilitated all Lean improvements events (6S and Kaizen)
-Developed, maintained and oversaw the Safety Program (written manuals, awareness, culture,
incentives, training, orientation, safety committee and other safety staff)
-Oversaw case management program for all aspects of workers compensation and involved in all
other insurances for the company
-Oversaw seven tool/equipment/delivery employees and its departmental needs

Safety Director at Tweet Garot Mechanical Inc
January 1992 – May 2006 (14 years 5 months)
– Started, developed, maintained and oversaw the Corporate Safety Program (written manuals,
awareness, culture, incentives, training, orientation, inspections/observations, safety committee
and other safety staff team members).
– Oversaw case management program for all aspects of workers compensation and involved in all
other insurances for the company.

Construction Laborer at Edgerton Contractors, Inc.
May 1986 – August 1990 (4 years 4 months)
Provided hands on labor for Edgerton Contractors during my college summers. Completed an
intership the summer of 1990, performed site elevations with grade stakes and the use of lazers.
Even operated a Bobcat skidster for backfilling operations.

Education
Viterbo University
Master’s Degree, Servant Leadership, 2014 – 2018
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Certificate, Lean Facilitation, 2006 – 2006
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Bachelor of Science Degree, Industrial Technology; Building Construction, 1986 – 1991
Activities and Societies: Student Construction Association (SCA), Blue Devil Football, Offensive
Center
Wauwatosa West High School
1982 – 1986
Activities and Societies: Football (MVP), Basketball and Track
Chris Warren
La Crosse, Wisconsin Area
Safety Leader at Ingersoll Rand / Trane – La Crosse

9 people have recommended Chris
“I worked with Chris the past year at Voith. Chris and exceptional leader and he worked hard to
improve and establish an excellent Safety Program for the Company. He is highly motivated and
proactive in work and in life. He is highly respected by both his peers and the employees on the
plant floor. Chris would be an great asset to any organization due to his energy and overall positive
demeaner. Work recommend Chris anytime.”

—Barbara J. Elmer, Integrated Logistics Support Manager, OSHKOSH DEFENSE, LLC, worked
with Chris at Voith Paper Fabrics & Rolls Systems Inc.

“Over the past few months, I have had the pleasure of working hand in hand with Chris and my
team members on some specific safety projects. The real amazing thing was that Chris walked
in and only after a few minutes, was able to contribute like he was here for 20 yrs. Chris has a
wide range / variety of skills from writing policies / procedures to the day to day interaction with
the operators on the floor. He brings a strong knowledge, commitment, collaborative, caring,
servant leadership approach to safety in the workplace. Furthermore, he has a vast background
in lean / continuous improvement that really helps support the company culture.. Chris has a very
natural demeanor and hands-on leadership approach to showing his dedication and passion to all
employees that will truly assist them in going home to their families.””

—Mark Winchester, Corporate Safety and Regulatory Manager, Schreiber Foods, worked
indirectly for Chris at Ingersoll Rand / Trane

“Chris is a dedicated, passionate and driven producer of results who is committed to continuous
improvement: both of himself and those people and processes around him. I have always been
impressed by his ability to see the desired end result and relentless pursuit of achieving the
desired objective. He has also developed an increasing ability to understand his role is the
improvement process and has worked on himself so that he can better lead/facilitate those
continuous improvement efforts and results.”

—Eric Coryell, President, Beta4, was a consultant or contractor to Chris at Tweet Garot
Mechanical
“I was introduced to Chris through my research of the book: Modern Construction: Lean Project
Delivery and Integrated Practices. Writing the book was a special challenge, because it is one of
the first recent books on the subject. I needed to find examples of successful application of Lean
Construction with projects of varying sizes, and I thought it important to include the sub-contractor
perspective. Chris’s employer; Tweet/Garot Mechanical had just that experience. Chris and I were
able to connect and started sharing our tools and techniques. I found Chris to be very insightful,
helpful and extremely knowledgeble, especially when it came to his hands on experience with
Lean Kaizen improvement events. He had documented evidence of success with Kaizen, Value
Stream Mapping, 5S, and other lean approaches. Again, in the construction industry, this is truly
innovative and unusual. This book is now in print, and is recognized by Greg Howell, co-founder of
the Lean Construction Institute, LCI, as the most comprehensive and up-to-date book on the topic –
it includes both theory and practical examples. Chris’s input provides some of those excellent real-
world examples Chris, thanks so much for your time and effort, in contributing to this book.”

—Lincoln H. Forbes, Ph.D., P.E., LEED AP, FIIE, Principal Consultant,
www.LeanConstructionLearning.com, was with another company when working with Chris at
Tweet Garot Mechanical Inc

“Chris is a high energy, driven individual whose focus was helping our people perform their tasks
safely, and then efficiently, giving the customer high quality. Chris would take whatever time and
efforts needed to be helpful and had a problem-solving mind set.”

—Jeana Gillaspie, Estimator Project Manager , Terra Engineering and Construction, worked with
Chris at JF Brennan Co., Inc.

“Chris is a dedicated, passionate and knowledgeable safety and lean professional. He brings a
strong commitment and caring approach to safety in the workplace. Furthermore, he has a vast
background in lean operations for continuous improvement. Chris is a hands-on manager who is
devoted to driving projects to completion.”

—Donald Wagner, P.E., Vice President of Engineering and Product Manager, XDS Holdings, Inc.,
was with another company when working with Chris at Jones Sign Company

“Chris was a highly energetic team member of the Voith FRS Appleton team. Apart from his
exemplary quality and safety skill sets, in my opinion his strongest asset is to be available always to
help people and keep them motivated in everyday Production activities. I wish him good luck in his
future endeavors!”

—Akshay Shah, CSSBB, PMP, Lean Coach, Baylor Scott & White Health, worked directly with
Chris at Voith Paper Fabrics & Rolls Systems Inc.
“Chris has excellent EHS Knowledge & awareness; he also has lots of energy and is a go-getter, I
would recommend him anywhere to run a program with his positive attitude.”

—Todd Church, Environmental Coordinator, Trane Company, worked directly with Chris at
Ingersoll Rand / Trane

“Chris Warren was an integral contributor to the creation of the Wisconsin paper industry’s OSHA
10+ safety program. Designed to “raise the bar” in safety performance for contractors working at
participating Wisconsin Paper Council members, his safety expertise, people skills and “can do”
attitude were valuable contributions to the program’s creation and implementation.”

—Earl Gustafson, VP – Energy, Forestry, HR, Wisconsin Paper Council, was with another
company when working with Chris at Tweet Garot Mechanical Inc