Craig Gyci, Bruce Williams, and Stephen R. Covey

Craig Gygi began studying and applying the elements of Six Sigma and Lean before they were formalized into today’s renowned improvement methodologies. As a graduate student in Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University, he integrated these cutting-edge improvement techniques into his coaching of student product development teams. Upon beginning his career at Motorola, he was formally introduced to the emerging Six Sigma method. It resonated deeply with his previous findings. From that time, Craig has applied, taught, and led Six Sigma in all his endeavors, including technical, management, and executive capacities at Iomega, General Atomics, ES3, and Fiji Water.

Craig now serves as Executive VP of Global Operations for MasterControl. MasterControl produces software solutions that enable regulated companies to manage their critical quality procedures and get their products to market faster, while reducing overall costs and increasing internal efficiency.

A Master Black Belt, Craig has wielded Six Sigma and Lean techniques now for over 18 years, spanning projects from design to manufacturing to business process management, and at companies as varied as Abbott Labs, American Express, and the US Air Force. He is also an expert teacher, having instructed and mentored at all levels.

Craig lives in Utah with his wife and children, where they enjoy its varied landscape and outdoor activities.

Bruce David Williams has been fascinated with complex systems since the launch of Sputnik on his birthday. With degrees from the University of Colorado in physics and astrophysics, he embarked on a career in aerospace systems, where he first encountered Six Sigma after Motorola won the inaugural Baldridge Award in 1988. Later, with graduate degrees from Johns Hopkins and Colorado in computer science and technical management, and as a member of the Hubble Telescope development team, he became intrigued with how large system failures could result from the breakdown of small components. He entered the Six Sigma industry in the late-1990s when he co-founded a software company to develop products for life-cycle traceability.

Bruce has since been the co-founder of two Six Sigma research and technology firms, including the Six Sigma Management Institute. He was co-founder and CEO of Savvi International, a provider of solutions for business performance improvement. He joined webMethods in 2006 to integrate enterprise-class information technologies with business process management and now is the Senior Vice President for Software AG, a leading global provider of technologies and solutions for Business Process Excellence.

Bruce resides in the desert foothills of north Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife and assortment of dogs, cats, birds, horses, and varied native wildlife.

Stephen R. Covey is the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time

Neil John DeCarlo was a professional communicator in the continuous improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, sales and marketing, innovation, and corporate finance fields for nearly 25 years, beginning with his work at Florida Power & Light Company when it won the coveted Deming Prize for quality. Following that time, he authored, ghostwrote, or edited more than 150 articles and eight books in association with such companies as General Electric, DuPont, Bose Corporation, BMGI, McKinsey & Company, UPS, AT&T, the Six Sigma Academy, and many others. Neil also worked with several CEOs and consultants, including Japanese quality expert Dr. Noriaki Kano and the original co-architect of Six Sigma, Dr. Mikel Harry.

In addition to his writing accomplishments, Neil managed communication and publishing campaigns for a variety of companies, most notably BMGI, an international consulting firm that teaches and deploys Lean Six Sigma, innovation, and such other methods as Hoshin strategic planning. While not working, Neil enjoyed most all outdoor sports, reading, questioning everything, and practicing yoga. He lived in a small town called Fountain Hills, just outside Scottsdale, Arizona, with Jeannie — his lovely wife and best friend.