Drew P Williams

I recently had an opportunity to speak with the ultimate interviewer Allison DeFord from Manufacturing Masters about a topic near and dear to my heart - the role of a Maintenance Planner. I would suggest that this role, more than any other, is pivotal to an organization's successful World Class Maintenance journey. Please take a listen, using the links in the post below, and let me know of your own experiences with planning in your maintenance department. It really can have such an impact to your OEE, efficiencies, waste, and, ultimately, your bottom line. It's worth the investment!

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How are you balancing growth and teaching as a leader? I had the privilege of meeting Lt. Col. Matthew Rasmussen at the U.S. Army's War College this summer. In this article, he challenges leaders to simultaneously grow upward and teach downward. "Growing upward is a leader’s personal effort to prepare for success in future years, while teaching downward is that leader’s effort to grow those for whom he or she is responsible. The two components compete for the time and mental capacity of the leader and create a natural tension for those who know that to continue leading, they must continue learning. Growing upward can be seen as selfish and career focused, even overly ambitious. On the other hand, teaching downward is selfless and fulfills the leader's responsibility to the profession and their institution as teacher, coach, and mentor." https://lnkd.in/gJkkk8JB

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I once again am hopeful that the Boeing strike is nearing its end. As someone who works diligently to keep the Northwest Supply chain strong; I have heard so much from the companies that supply Boeing that they are really going through it. Many of the suppliers are small set aside businesses that on a good year, struggle. This strike is causing anxiety in the market and uncertainty through out the Pacific Northwest for many of these businesses.   I have heard from so many members that they are also hoping for near resolution and for both sides to consider the entire ecosystem while negotiating. Many of you probably don’t realize how much of the planes that are mostly considered commercial are also Defense Planes. These planes not only support the US Department of Defense but are known worldwide as reliable tools in Defense and Security. For Example: The KC-46 refueling tanker is the military derivative of the commercial 767. It is one of the most important aircraft for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and Allied Nations because it is certified to refuel 22 different aircraft, including the F-15EX and the F-35 fighter jets.   Likewise, the delayed production of the 737 will keep new P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from performing a critical military mission. Known as the “Sub Hunter,” the Poseidon shares approximately 85% of its common parts with the 737NG. It is the only plane able to detect and track enemy submarines. Its primary mission is long-range anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare (ASW) operations but is also critical for intelligence sharing, surveillance and reconnaissance. Considering the growing naval capabilities of nations like China, U.S. Armed Forces cannot defend our country without vital platforms like the P-8.    The striking workers engage in incredibly important work. They are on the forefront of precision manufacturing that enables thousands of businesses to keep their doors open. They keep the aviation industry flying, and most importantly, they build the military aircraft necessary to keep America’s national defense strong.   Between Boeing, their talented pool of employees, and their dedicated suppliers; they all keep the Aerospace Industry leading the world from the Pacific Northwest. I am hoping that we will soon celebrate the resolution of this turmoil and move into more prosperous times for the entire Defense/Aerospace Ecosystem.   

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As Defense Logistics Agency and other agencies increase RTO days in line with many other companies in the private sector, real talent will continue to bleed, and this article make a great argument as to why RTO mandates are not relevant in light of what we were called on to do during the COVID-19 Pandemic! "Productivity is a result of clear expectations and good management. Culture is driven by people, not physical spaces, and employee well-being is more about how people are managed, their stress levels, and the amount of flexibility they have." https://lnkd.in/gtEEtGyE

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Another installment of Feel Good Friday. Veteran’s Day was this Monday – this article focuses on veterans in manufacturing applying their skills specifically to roles in safety. And also speaking to how veterans add value to organizations as the transition to civilian work and how companies can work to make that transition smoother. Thanks to all of those who serve and served. #feelgood #happyfriday #veterans #manufacturing #supplychain

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Military leaders use Commander's Intent to help teammates understand what mission accomplished looks like. We veterans use Commander's Intent as a lighthouse in the fog of uncertainty. Understanding a well defined Commander's Intent will bring autonomy to team members while still keeping a cohesive group moving forward. Reach out to me to learn how Veteran Hiring Solutions leverages video-based job descriptions to bring the Commander's Intent of each role to the veteran job seeker. #VeteranHiring #VeteransHelpingVeterans #Veteranjobs

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My first Supply Selfie! Behind me are women and men from the 436 LRS, and represent the best of the best in Supply. I've never met a more committed group of professionals. Their response to checking out the SPARROW Parts Accountability System? Simply: "We need this." The Air Force has lots of logistics systems, but most don't talk to eachother and have lots of gaps where Airmen have to manually record, track, transmit, analyze, and control critical data. These activities are complex, repetitive, subject to error, and time consuming. We can help with all of these and we will do so based on detailed expert input, not out imaginations of what the Air Force needs. Our goal is as close to perfect as possible. With the help of partners like this, we can definitely make it happen! #436LRS #MAINTENANCEOPERATIONS #SUPPLY #CANTFLYWITHOUTSUPPLY

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Here’s a sneak peek from the room where I'll be delivering a keynote on "Maximizing Performance in a Multigenerational Workforce" at Executive Fuel, a conference by Executive Agenda. The energy in this space is already palpable, and I can't wait to dive into the topic with such a powerful audience. Understanding generational dynamics in the workplace is crucial for fostering collaboration, enhancing productivity, and driving innovation. We'll explore: -The unique values and motivations of each generation. -Effective communication strategies to bridge generational gaps. -Practical tips for creating a cohesive and inclusive work environment. Excited to share insights and spark meaningful discussions that will help leaders navigate the complexities of a multigenerational workforce. Are you prepared to harness the strengths of every generation in your organization? Let’s make it happen! DM me if you'd like to work on it together. #GenerationsInTheWorkplace #Leadership #EmployeeEngagement #ExecutiveAgenda #WorkplaceCulture #GustavoGrodnitzky #keynotespeaker

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Accountability should end in performance, not pain. Ever wonder how high-performance teams master accountability? Retired USAF fighter pilot and Vistage speaker Robert “Cujo” Teschner dives into how military teams leverage accountability to enhance learning, teamwork and resilience. Discover the secrets to their success! #CEO #SmallBiz #Accountability

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Do you know many airport executives and managers who are former marines? They're known for their resilience, but even the toughest leaders can struggle with burnout in high-pressure environments. I've seen it firsthand working with executives and managers in aviation and other demanding industries. But what if it doesn't have to be this way? Imagine reclaiming your life outside of work and feeling energized, not depleted. I help aviation leaders develop strategies to bounce back from burnout and create a sustainable work-life balance. Let's chat about how I can support you. #aviation #leadership #burnout #worklifebalance #wellbeing #coaching #executivecoaching

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CHOOSE OUR LEADERSHIP LANGUAGE WISELY The tactical manuals that governed my operations as an Air Force pilot carefully employed THREE key words throughout: Can, Should, and Must. I applied the same precision when using them as a leader, because the people entrusted to my care were not mind readers. If we tell them they "CAN"... we can't be surprised if they do. If we tell them they "SHOULD"... we shouldn't be dismayed if they don't. If we tell them they "MUST"... we mustn't be annoyed if they drop other tasks. There is a place for providing our teams guidance via can/should/must. We just need to be very thoughtful in choosing which one is right for that moment. #leadership #keynote

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The U.S. faces a critical shortage of skilled workers, with 2.1 million manufacturing jobs unfilled, costing over $1 trillion by 2030. The Navy’s “1+2 Mission” aims to revitalize shipbuilding and bridge the workforce gap, supported by strategic partnerships and advanced manufacturing technologies. Collaboration and innovation are key to ensuring our maritime industry’s success. #MaritimeIndustry #WorkforceDevelopment #Manufacturing #NationalSecurity #Innovation #SubmarineBuilding #AdvancedManufacturing #SupplyChain #EmergingTech #DefenseTech #DefenseInnovation #CriticalTech

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**ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION YET?** On March 16, 2012 then-President Barack Obama (D) signed **Executive Order 13603—National Defense Resources Preparedness.** This EO (which is not an act of Congress nor subject to voter approval) gave the government total authority to seize and take control over virtually all critical infrastructure, every sector of the US economy, and the entire Federal government - in both the private and public sectors. But don't believe me; read it for yourself here: https://lnkd.in/gTjeZTRi The EO has never been revoked. But it was modified to be larger in scope and increased powers by Pres. Joseph R. Biden (D), in a related EO on May 14, 2021 with "Executive Order on the Revocation of Certain Presidential Actions and Technical Amendment." You can also read this EO for yourself in my next comment below. So these two EO's can be implemented at any time. Like in a national emergency, crisis, domestic violence, natural disaster, state of war or other circumstances that are only vaguely described. I don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling from reading them... NOTE: I AM NOT a crazy conspiracy theorist, a domestic terrorist nor anti-government. I do not advocate for violence, insurrection nor revolts. I don't hate anyone or wish to see them censored, arrested or punished for expressing their beliefs, opinions or deeply held values. And I do not wear tinfoil hats nor own a bunker. 😏 But I DO have the ability to read and do my own research using reliable sources - just like you and every other American citizen. I believe that free speech is and always will be a good thing. So, please fact-check what I've posted here. If I am wrong, please provide data from official verified sources. I will correct what I've posted here if it is wrong or in error. CONSIDER THIS: Donald Trump is often accused of being an enemy of the people and a threat to democracy. Neither Mr. Trump nor the GOP have advocated for these extraordinary government powers. But certain persons and another political party have. So WHO IS a threat to democracy? 🤔 AND - I AM a faithful and unapologetic follower of Jesus Christ. I believe that God is in control in all places, in all circumstances and at all times. Even when can't we see Him working and things seem totally hopeless. Please read these documents and inform yourselves. Pass them along to your friends, family and networks. And PLEASE PRAY for our nation, my friends.

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Ready for the next Interim or Fractional challenge! Now Seeking: A NEW, challenging Interim or Fractional Exec Role (1099) Recent Roles: I just completed (on 10/2) a successful 10-month interim CEO role with a US Department of Defense supplier. Before that it was a successful 10-month interim COO role within commercial aerospace. Experience as: CEO, COO, General Manager, P&L Leader, Ops Leader, Multi-Plant Leader, Executive Coach, Senior Advisor Sectors worked: Manufacturing, Aerospace, Defense, Space, Industrial, Technology Entity Size: Experienced with Small Cap, Mid Cap, Divisions of Large Cap, Private and Public Specialities: EBITDA and On-time Delivery Improvement Books published on: Strategy Deployment, Lean, Org Change Management See KestersonGroup.com for more information #privateequity #opex #changemanagement #changeleadership #strategy #lean #results #culturechange #coach #turnaround #manufacturing #aerospace #aerospaceanddefense #space #industrial #Technology #ceo #cfo #coo #chro #ebitda #otd

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I just worked on a feature for Opportunity Zone Deals where shared deal links show a preview image on iMessage, LinkedIn, Slack, etc.. Based on my research, server-side-rendering (SSR) is required when your preview image is dynamic. I went with #nextjs deployed to Vercel and it took about an hour. If enough people are interested in the details, I can write up a quick summary. Also wondering if there are better ways to do this. Example below:

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What does it mean to be loyal when you leave the military? It's a bit of an oxymoron. Well, let’s start with a definition. Loyalty is “to give or show firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution.” Some references use words like "committed," “unswerving” and “faithful.” You get the idea. Let's explore what this means when you leave the military world and enter the civilian one. The inherent contradiction is the sense of betrayal that comes from the mere notion of hanging up the uniform. How dare you? How can you even think about leaving when the works isn't done? The important thing to remember here is that your mission isn't over, but it does change. Everyone has to leave. That is a fact. Even the Chairman will retire. Based on the definition, what is keeping you from remaining loyal regardless of your duty status? You may not have an obligation to your oath, but nothing stands in your way of supporting the people, their families, or the community. You just serve in different ways. The proximity and frequency of your interaction changes, but intention is entirely up to you. Do that leadership thing and reach out to check on your people. This is an important part of networking anyway! Before you hesitate and tell me it's uncomfortable, I challenge you to think about how you would feel if a past subordinate were to reach out to connect with you after years of silence. Admit it. You’d be thrilled. I would also argue that the job in the military doesn’t matter as much as the unit or the mission. That is where your loyalty lies, and truth be told, it may be different in the civilian world. Pay attention to the loyalties of people around you. This will reveal the culture of the organization. Their affiliation for the organization may not be as strong as yours was to the unit, but that doesn’t mean that they lack commitment or passion for their work, the people they work with, or the deeper mission of their organization. Before you pass judgment, use those people skills to figure out where those passions are. Finally, you are not being ‘disloyal’ to an organization if you decide to leave or pursue a different opportunity. In fact, you are doing the organization a disservice if you stay. The military is a zero sum game. You are assigned against a manning document. They can't just get a replacement if you decide not to fulfill your duty. The same is not true in the civilian world. They can hire a replacement at any time. Yes, it is an inconvenience. Think of it this way: If you don’t want the job - you will eventually leave anyway, and you are standing in the way of another capable leader who really wants that job. In the military - you are both loyal and (to a point) indispensable. That isn't the case anymore. Sometimes the most loyal thing you can do for an organization is to simply get out of the way so that they can put someone there who is both capable and wants to be there. Adam Silva #militarytransition #leadership

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