STAT-A-MATRIX Faculty

Robert J. Eatinger, P.E.
Robert J. Eatinger has extensive DoD management and engineering experience assuring the quality and reliability of scientific computing systems and Navy Tactical Training Range Instrumentation. He was the quality technical agent for the Navy's Strategic Systems Programs, supporting Polaris, Poseidon, and Trident. M.S., systems management; B.S. electrical engineering; Certified Lead Auditor; Member, ASQ.

H.W. (Hank) Fahrlander, Jr., P.E., CQE, CRE
H.W. Fahrlander has over 30 years of prior experience in the quality management field. He specializes in Six Sigma, Total Quality Management (TQM), statistical process control (SPC), Statistically Aided Management (STAM TM ), and ISO/QS-9000 quality systems, consulting and training in quality system interpretation, documentation, implementation, and audit. Fahrlander provides on-site and public consulting and training in Six Sigma tools, such as quality analysis/problem solving, statistical quality/process control, benchmarking, QFD, and documentation, using the principles of TQM. He has designed and implemented integrated management systems in government, automotive, and aerospace industries in the United States and internationally.

James J. Gerard, P.E.
James Gerard specializes in course development, course maintenance, consulting, and training in quality management principles for the telecommunications industry, as well as ISO/TS 16949 for the automotive industry. He is the company’s lead course developer and trainer for TL 9000 materials.

Before joining STAT-A-MATRIX, Mr. Gerard spent over 30 years in the telecommunications industry. Most recently, as Executive Director, Quality Assurance for NYNEX Global Systems–FLAG Project, his responsibilities included technical and economical analysis of bids from competing consortiums, development and management of the Quality Assurance organization, negotiation and management of contracts with outside companies for quality inspectors (USA and Japan), on-site audits of contractors and subcontractors (verification of technical ability and ISO 9000 evaluations and follow-up audits), and monitoring of contractor and subcontractor performance.

As Staff Director in the Quality Research and Support Department in the NYNEX Corporate Headquarters, Mr. Gerard identified and developed initiatives to improve efficiency and customer focus through the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM). He was responsible for training in Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) criteria, as well as quality process and quality assurance principles, and for support of NYNEX companies in meeting requirements of the MBNQA and New York State’s Excelsior Award. As Quality Assurance Engineering Manager for NYNEX Materiel Enterprises, Mr. Gerard managed the quality assurance organization responsible for all New York and New England telephone products, developed and trained suppliers in quality assurance principles, and performed and managed supplier audits.

He holds an M.B.A. from Iona College, a B.E.E. from the City College of New York, and an A.A.S. from Bronx Community College. He is an RAB-Certified Quality Systems Lead Auditor, a Licensed Professional Engineer (New York State), a former ASQ-certified Quality Engineer, and a past Examiner for New York State’s Excelsior (Quality) Award.

James L. Hardy, CQE
James Hardy has more than 20 years of experience as a trainer and auditor in many different industries, including aerospace, chemicals, plastic injection-molding, metal fabrication, and others. He specializes in training and coaching relative to business process improvement and ISO 9001/AS9100 management system design, implementation, and audit. Registered QMS Auditor; Certified AS9100 Aerospace Experienced Auditor; CQE; Senior Member, ASQ.

Michael H. Held
In his more than 30 years of experience, Michael Held has been involved in quality engineering, quality control (QC), and quality assurance (QA) management implementing team-based quality management systems using TQM and national and international regulations and standards. He specializes in lead auditor, internal auditor, and quality system documentation training for ISO 9001, ISO/TS 16949, ISO 13485, and other international standards and regulations. As Executive Director of Consulting Services with Stat-a-Matrix (SAM), Held oversees and performs on-site training, auditing, and consulting for quality system development and implementation for manufacturing and service organizations. He specializes in project/team management, problem-solving, statistical process control, benchmarking, strategic planning, and documentation and auditing training. Held has led numerous training programs in employee awareness, documentation, auditing, quality management system implementation, and team building for small and large organizations in a variety of industries including automotive, FDA-regulated, and environmental.

Robert J. Lauer
Robert Lauer has extensive experience in total quality management (TQM) and quality engineering, including 35 years in various positions at Bendix/Allied Signal Aerospace Company (ASAC), where he developed a self-assessment program based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and conducted TQM training. Lauer is responsible for on-site training, auditing, and consulting services relative to business process improvement, TQM/Six Sigma, and quality management systems. He has taught lead assessor and internal auditing and documentation courses (including more than 25 automotive courses over a 10-year period), and has developed material for defense industry training. In addition, he has taught numerous transition training courses for ISO 9001:2000, ISO/TS 16949, and AS9100 management systems.

I. Robert Marash
I. Robert Marash has over 40 years of experience as an educator, auditor, and practitioner in quality and environmental management systems, with a background in industrial management. Industries he has worked with include biologics, heavy equipment, nuclear, industrial chemicals, automotive, food, healthcare, computers, medical, photographic, filters, pharmaceuticals, electronics, telecommunications, aerospace, and defense. As Executive Vice President, Certification and International Liaison with Stat-a-Matrix (SAM), Marash is responsible for all educational courses offered by SAM worldwide to both industry and government. In addition, he develops, implements, and audits quality assurance programs with the goal of decreasing quality costs while increasing product quality and productivity. He is responsible for worldwide educational services and operates SAM offices in Beijing, China ; Bangkok, Thailand; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Seoul, Korea; and Tokyo, Japan. He is a Stat-a-Matrix certified Six Sigma Black Belt instructor.

George D. Ridge, CQE
George Ridge has more than 40 years of experience developing, implementing, and managing quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) organizations and systems for industrial/manufacturing firms and service industries. His expertise includes consulting, training and auditing in AS9100, QS-9000, ISO/TS 16949:2002, and ISO 9001 management systems. Ridge specializes in the development of customized management systems relying heavily on the techniques of statistical process control (SPC), failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), advanced product quality planning (APQP), measurement systems analysis (MSA), and production part approval process (PPAP).

Charles M. Valentine
Charles Valentine's experience in industry includes management roles in development and manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, and quality assurance (QA) for companies such as Boehringer Mannheim and Abbott Laboratories. has performed GMP assessments and implemented statistical tools to improve manufacturing processes and standardize operating procedures. Valentine has coached many organizations in the design and development of management systems using statistical process control (SPC) and product design, development, and evaluation.