Kirill Liberman
Founder & President

Since 1990 Kirill Liberman has been a driving force in the Management System consulting, training, and certification industry. He has applied himself specifically to the implementation and certification of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 based management systems in nearly every industry sector. His clients include organizations like 3M, General Electric, Verizon, Siemens, Mutual of Omaha, Alcon, Cabot, Johnson Matthey, Baker Hughes, and countless small and medium companies. In addition to his hands-on work with clients, Kirill Liberman has authored numerous articles and case studies that demystify ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 and guide readers to best practices.

As the founder of Pinnacle Enterprise Group, Kirill Liberman pursues his vision of using ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 as platforms for integration of Lean Six Sigma tools and methods.  His objective is to help companies of all sizes and in all industries develop value-driven business operating systems that are the foundation and structural framework for business excellence.  To this end, he designed and developed the Lean QMS®, Lean EMS®, Lean EHS®, and Lean BOS® methodologies.  These have become the benchmark for implementing quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety management systems and achieving certification.

Experience includes:

  • President, Pinnacle Enterprise Group, LLC
  • President, Liberman & Associates, LLC
  • North American Director of Business Development, TUV SUD America (formally TUV Management Service)
  • Director of Business Development, Clydesdale International Management Consulting, Inc.
  • Regional Manager, International Approval Services (IAS)
  • Senior Project Manager, Alamo Learning Systems
  • Center Manager, North American Biologicals, Inc.
  • Director, Warde Clinical Laboratories

^ back to top

Glenn Tanzman
Project Director

Glenn has over 3 decades of Operations Management, Quality Management, and Supply Chain Management Experience. During his distinguished career he has served in such capacities as Director of Materials Management, VP of Operations, and VP of Manufacturing. Starting as a Quality Engineer at Avon, he continued his career with Swingline, Liverpool Industries, Blumberg/Excelsior, Zumtobel, and Lighting Services before transitioning into consulting and teaching. Glenn has taught Operation Management and Organizational Behavior at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY for the past 4 years.

A lifetime learner, Glenn holds certifications in a variety of disciplines including:

  • CPIM (Certification in Production and Inventory Management) from APICS
  • CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) from APICS
  • CQE (Certified Quality Engineer) from ASQ
  • CMfgE (Certified Manufacturing Engineer) from SME
  • RABQSA QMS Lead Auditor - ISO 9001
  • In addition he has completed courses in Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, and Project Management

Glenn is a subject matter expert on REACH and ROHS, the two recent laws enacted in the European Union that impact the global supply chain. He served on the ASTM F-40 committee on "Declarable Substances" and his expertise includes environmental legislation that affects manufacturers throughout the world. He has given over 20 presentations and public workshops on these topic as well as public workshops on Lean Manufacturing, ISO 9001:2008, and Lean Six Sigma.

^ back to top

Greg A. Garthe
Project Director

Greg A. Garthe is Pinnacle Enterprise Group's Lean mentor and master. Greg began his passion for Lean Manufacturing with Texas Instruments where he served as the Lead Manufacturing Engineer and a member of the Continuous Flow Manufacturing Team. He was then recruited by Johnson Controls where he trained and led the Continuous Improvement Team. Greg was a co-developer of the Johnson Controls Manufacturing System (JCMS) and led the Lean effort. Greg then accepted the position of Operations Manager with RoMan Manufacturing, the world's leader in resistance welding power sources, where he continued to apply his Lean expertise. Greg led the Lean transformation at RoMan Manufacturing, which included the implementation of Pinnacle's Lean QMS® and Lean EMS®.

^ back to top

Deidre Tate
Environmental, Health, and Safety Project Director

Deidre Tate brought over two decades of experience in the design and execution of environmental, health, safety and regulatory compliance programs to Pinnacle.  She joined Pinnacle upon completing her tenure as the EHS Manager with Johnson Matthey Pharmaceutical Materials, a cGMP, global manufacturer of high potency APIs, where she implemented and managed ISO 14001 and PSM management systems.  Furthermore, Deidre has held senior leadership roles in Automotive, Chemical, Oil & Gas, Environmental Consulting and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing.  Deidre brings 10 years of lead auditor experience in EH&S compliance and has led over 100 audits domestically and internationally.  She has also successfully implemented Responsible Care , VPP and CFATS at multiple facilities.  As part of the Pinnacle team, Deidre applies her EHS subject matter expertise to compliance auditing, program development and helping clients achieve ISO 14001, RC 14001 and VPP certification.

Areas of Expertise Include:

  • ISO 14001
  • Responsible Care
  • RC 14001
  • Lean & Six-Sigma tools integration
  • cGMP
  • PSM/RMP
  • VPP
  • Risk Management Tools
  • CFATS Security Assessments
  • REACH/GHS
  • Title V & MACT Compliance
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Wastewater & RCRA Management
  • HAZMAT/HAZWOPER
  • All OSHA general industry construction compliance program areas.

Honors and Awards:

  • Appointed by the Secretary of Homeland Security to the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee.
  • Awarded the U.S.C.G., Gold Pin and Certificate of Merit, 1996-2006 for service on CTAC
  • Honored as a Minority Achiever in Business & Industry, 1999.

^ back to top

Chuck Wilks
Project Director

Chuck Wilks has over 30 years experience in Corporate Quality Management, Engineering, and Quality Managements System auditing. His experience includes quality, engineering and project management at Lockheed Martin and Quality Management System Lead Auditor for some of the world's leading registrars. Chuck is a registered RABQSA ISO 9001 Quality Management System Lead Auditor, ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), RABQSA AS9100/AS9120 AEA, and S20.20 ESD Lead Auditor. In addition to providing consulting, training, and assessment experience, Chuck has performed over 400 third party ISO 9001, AS9100 and ISO 14001 Quality and Environmental Management System audits in nearly every industry sector. As a member of Pinnacle Enterprise Group, Chuck provides ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and AS9100 implementation consulting, training, and internal auditing services that help clients develop a Lean QMS® and Lean EMS®.

^ back to top

Marc Black
Project Director

Marc Black is a skilled Industrial Designer with over 20 years of design leadership in the automotive and home goods industries. He is experienced in both traditional and digital media. While in the employ of Sabic Innovative Plastics (formerly GE Plastics), he developed a benchmark process for analyzing parts and products. This process can be used for design optimization, cost & performance comparisons and "should costing." &builder supplies industry. Through this process, Marc was responsible for identifying over $5 million in potential cost savings for Masco's various business divisions.

Areas of Expertise Include:

  • Material and manufacturing/assembly identification for cost analysis.
  • Concept development communicated through illustration, both traditional and digital, that leverage design improvements through material technology.
  • Product redesign and optimization with emphasis on green design, system light-weighting, and improved performance for automotive systems.
  • Formally trained in Boothroyd Dewhurst’s DFMA (Design for Manufacture & Assembly) tools.
  • Taining others in the usage and benefits of DFMA tools.

^ back to top

Tim Cassity
Project Director

Tim Cassity has 30 years experience in Corporate Quality Management and Engineering, Management System Consulting, and Quality Managements System Assessments. He has held executive level positions in industries from Electronics, Plastics, Fabrication, Transportation, and Pressure Vessel to Environmental Monitoring, Aerospace, and Medical Device Manufacturing. As a consultant, Mr. Cassity has helped fortune 100 clients such as Verizon/Bell Atlantic, Hewlett Packard, ITW, and General Electric develop, implement, and certify ISO 9001/QS 9000/AS 9100/ISO 13485/ISO 14001 /CMMI  based management systems. He has attained credentialing in application of Six Sigma tools and has extensive Six Sigma project experience with several facilities. Mr. Cassity is a registered RABQSA ISO 9001 Quality Management System Lead Auditor. He has conducted over 800 third party ISO 9001 certification audits in a variety of industries. His auditing expertise is routinely sought and contracted by the world's leading third party assessment firms (Registrars).

^ back to top

Michael Harris
Project Director

Michael Harris began his career as an Environmental and Process Engineer for Ford Motor Company and has been an environmental and quality management system (EMS & QMS) professional since 1992. During this time he has provided quality, environmental, and health and safety consulting and auditing services in nearly every industry sector. Michael is a RABQSA Certified QMS and EMS Lead Auditor and a licensed Processional Engineer. He has also completed the IRCA auditor conversion training for OHSAS 18001 and CAN/CSA Z1000-06. Furthermore, Michael holds a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Engineering and a MBA in Global Management.

As part of the Pinnacle team, Michael applies his extensive EMS and QMS auditing and consulting expertise to help clients develop, implement, and integrate ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 based management systems. Furthermore, his expertise is regularly sought by the world's leading registrars, such as TUV Rheinland, SGS, NSAI, and others.

^ back to top

Weylan G. Stricklin, CQA
Project Director

Weylan Stricklin has over 25 years of quality management experience in government contractors, automotive parts and tooling, and equipment manufacturing industries.  Weylan has successfully developed, implemented, and maintained Quality Management Systems to military, automotive, and general industry quality standards with an emphasis on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.  Weylan has also successfully developed, implemented, and maintained ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.  Weylan is an American Society for Quality Certified Quality Auditor and an active member of the ASQ throughout his entire quality profession.  Furthermore, Weylan has completed Six Sigma Black Belt training and has worked with organizations in Lean Operations and Six Sigma activities.  Weylan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology and a Master of Science degree in Quality Management.

^ back to top

Sarah Kalil
Project Director

Since 1980 Mrs. Sarah Kalil has served the regulated manufacturing and engineering industries. During her distinguished career she has held executive level positions with Aerospace, Defense, and Medical Device manufacturing organizations ranging from small start-up companies to large corporations. In 1993 Mrs. Kalil began to apply her expertise as a management system and organizational development consultant. She has provided her experience and support to a notable list of companies that includes: Honeywell, Raytheon, and Smith and Nephew. As a Pinnacle Project Director, Mrs. Kalil provides ISO 9000, ISO 14000, QS-9000/TS 16949, and FDA QSR implementation, training, and auditing services. Her credentials include RAB Certification as an ISO 14000 Aditor of Environmental Management Systems.

^ back to top

Jack R. Kunisch
Project Director

Jack Kunisch brings nearly 3 decades of technical experience in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering and management with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Translogic, Siemens, Mercury Marine, and Coors Ceramics. He is the former president of the Fort Worth chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and is a senior member of the Institute. His extensive experience includes design and implementation of Lean systems, continuous improvement, and introduction of new products to existing production facilities while streamlining support processes. Mr. Kunische's expertise also includes: ISO 9000, work methods, measurement, improvement, high performance work teams, TQM, and mentoring change agents. He has applied his broad knowledge of socio-technical applications to a diverse list of industries and functions, including: aerospace, electronics, pressure vessel, missile manufacturing, ceramics, automotive, finance, accounting, and information technology.

^ back to top

Granville H. (Jay) Jones, Sr.
Project Director

Jay Jones has nearly 3 decades of Quality and Project Management experience in the consulting, software, medical, telecommunications and service industries. He has distinguished himself as a consultant, manager, auditor, and educator. He solidified him reputation by his demonstrated performance with such companies as: Lockheed-Martin, Dow Chemical, Allied Signal, Quantum, Digital Equipment, Unocal, Rockwell International, Coors, Coleman, and Honeywell. His experience and achievements speak for themselves:

  • Quality Professional of the Year, Denver Section of ASQ
  • University of Colorado, Executive MBA Quality Management Conference-MBNQA
  • Certified Six-Sigma Instructor for ASQ
  • Software Process Improvement (CMMI) Instructor for the Mile High Chapter of the Project Management Institute.
  • Education Chairman for Denver ASQ, developed the educational program and presented classes on Software Quality Assurance/Testing, Customer Satisfaction, Process Improvement, Principles of Supervision, and more.
  • Software Forum Chairman/Founder, of the SW Forum for the Denver ASQ
  • Visiting Statistics Professor, Keller Graduate School of Management
  • Lead/Principal Auditor, ABS Quality Evaluations, for ISO 9000, QS 9000, TL 9000, and AS 9000

^ back to top

Denise Bertin-Epp
Advisory Board

Denise Bertin-Epp has been a practicing RN and healthcare innovator since 1984. She has extensive experience in critical care and healthcare administration, and has held management positions in both Nursing and Administration. Ms. Bertin-Epp has redesigned patient care delivery systems in both American and Canadian healthcare systems. Her vast experience includes: Care Management, Information Systems, Risk Management, Health Information Services, Healthcare Accreditation, Compliance, HMO Risk Pools, Physician Practice Acquisition, Utilization, and Quality Reviews. For the past 2 years Ms. Bertin-Epp has also served as the Vice President of Medical Process Improvement at EndueNet, Inc., a medical process improvement company that enhances compliance and revenues for physician practices/groups and healthcare systems.

^ back to top

Joseph McGoey M.D.
Advisory Board

Dr. McGoey is a dermatologist with 20 years experience. He is an expert in Evaluation and Management Coding, Medical Documentation and their relationship to Compliance. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member in good standing of the Michigan society of Dermatology. Dr. McGoey has held several prestigious positions throughout his career, including Medical Director of a 65,000 visit per year multi-specialty clinic; Medical Director of a 1 million life, 5 state PPO; Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Michigan, as well as operating the business component of the largest Dermatology Department in the country. Dr. McGoey is currently involved in patient care improvement efforts and revenue enhancement opportunities for physicians and large group medical staffs throughout the country.

^ back to top

Daniel J. Rissing
Advisory Board

Dan Rissing is one of the country's leading and most respected healthcare CEOs. During his distinguished career he has applied his expertise to creating, growing and turning-around business units in extremely competitive markets. He has spearheaded direction through strategic planning, developing innovative solutions, and effective communication strategies. He brings experience in acquiring, merging and managing health delivery systems and complex acute care facilities. Mr. Rissing has established and directed academic programs, Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Management Service Organizations and Integrated Regional Health Care Systems. His experience also includes developing for-profit businesses, recruiting dedicated medical staffs, enhancing governance effectiveness, and improving the bottom line.

Experience Includes:

  • Darwin Networks, President and CEO, Health Care Division
  • Christus Health System, President and CEO, Division III
  • ProMedica Health System, Inc., President and CEO
  • St. Raphael Health Care System, President and CEO, Hospital of St. Raphael, and Chief Operating Officer, St. Raphael Health System
  • Good Samaritan Medical Center, President and CE

^ back to top

James W. Kolka, Ph.D., J.D.
Advisory Board

Dr. Kolka's professional experience spans more than 30 years. During this time he served as a full professor and senior administrator at several public and private universities. As an attorney, he has dedicated the last decade of his distinguished career to the quality and environmental fields by developing a comprehensive preventive law program that utilizes both the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 to reduce product, services and environmental liability for the US and EU markets. Furthermore, Dr. Kolka developed programs to apply ISO 9001:2000 as a platform for risk management and disaster preparedness.

Dr. Kolka brings the following experience to the Pinnacle family:

  • Developed integrated regulatory compliance programs for machinery, medical devices, and medical device packaging for Europe (CE marking) and the US (FDA's Quality System Regulation).
  • Developed programs utilizing ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 to reduce liability exposure in the manufacturing and services sectors in both regulated and non regulated industries of the US and EU.
  • Conducted more than 400 seminars and workshops for North American, European, Asian and Latin American companies and has written more than 250 articles and five books on the topics of liability, EU Directives and technical standards, ISO 9000, ISO 14000, liability, risk management and disaster preparedness.

^ back to top