Gary Spoerre Promoted to Director – Sales Enablement!

We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Gary Spoerre to the role of Director, Sales Enablement. Gary brings 29 years of invaluable experience in process engineering and management across diverse sectors such as manufacturing, electronics, software, education, and aerospace.

In his previous roles, Gary has demonstrated an impressive ability to lead teams, establish standards, and train personnel, resulting in enhanced production, reduced defects, and improved safety. Notably, during his tenure at General Dynamics, he successfully managed their learning management systems and the ongoing training of 400+ site personnel. His dedication to creating comprehensive documentation and providing effective training contributed significantly to a safer work environment and improved product quality. At Whirlpool/Maytag, he trained and counseled employees on product quality improvement, workstation safety, and continuous process improvement. Gary’s role in redesigning the production training program resulted in a significant reduction in rework, lowered injury risks, and increased employee cross-training.

Gary’s multifaceted expertise extends into the aerospace and software fields, where he coordinated complex electronics assembly projects, managed software installation and customer service teams, and developed procedures to ensure consistent customer satisfaction.

Gary holds a Master’s in Education from Southern Illinois University and a BS in Industrial Engineering. His military service as Petty Officer, 2nd Class (E-5) for the U.S. Navy and Sergeant (E-5) for the USARNG showcases his commitment to excellence and discipline.

Additionally, Gary is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and holds certifications in the Society for HR Management, Foundations of Project Management and Lean Systems Design.

Please join me in congratulating Gary Spoerre on his well-earned promotion! His wealth of experience and dedication will undoubtedly continue to drive success in his new role as Director, Sales Enablement. 

Audie Penn now Vice President, Business Development and Service Delivery

Congratulations to Audie Penn on his promotion to Vice President, Business Development and Service Delivery at The ProAction Group! With 38 years of extensive experience in various manufacturing environments, Audie brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role.

In his capacity as Vice President, Audie will play a crucial role in collaborating with clients to identify risk and implement value creation initiatives, ensuring that companies reach their strategic, organizational, and financial goals.

Audie’s diverse background, encompassing both consulting and industry roles, spans across industries such as furniture, food, heavy equipment, municipal functions, energy, and building materials. His previous role as managing partner for a consulting firm focusing on operational excellence showcases his ability to drive significant improvements, exemplified by the impressive EBITDA growth achieved for his clients.

Notably, Audie’s contributions as Group Manager for a global heavy equipment manufacturer led to surpassing performance expectations and a substantial reduction in variable costs within the first five months of his tenure. His expertise extends to supply chain management and global production system deployment, particularly in implementing Lean methodologies for performance enhancement globally.

Audie holds degrees in accounting and business management, along with an MBA from St. Ambrose University. He is also Master Black Belt Certified and holds certifications at the Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels through the Lean Certification Alliance. Currently serving as the chair of the SME Certification Oversight and Appeals Committee within the alliance, Audie continues to contribute significantly to the field.

The ProAction Group is fortunate to have Audie Penn in this leadership role, and his extensive experience and expertise will undoubtedly contribute to continued success and growth for our clients.