Steve received B.S. & M.S. Degrees in Statistics from Iowa State University and an M.S.E. Degree from Purdue University. He has taught numerous seminars in SPC, Design of Experiments and Statistical Methods at a variety of Colleges within the Illiana region over the past twenty years. He has been a member of ASQ for the past 25 years, the last ten of which have been at the Senior member level. He is a Certified Quality Engineer (CQA), a Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), a Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) and a Certified Quality Manager (CQM). Steve worked two years with Philllips Petroleum as a quality engineer, 15 years with Inland Steel Company as a statistical engineer and supervisor, and five years employed by The Methodist Hospitals as an Organizational Performance Manager. This past year, he worked as a reliability engineer and statistical consultant on the Space Shuttle Program.

Tracy is a Ceramic Engineer employed by Vesuvius USA as Quality Assurance Manager in a refractories industry. He acts as Quality Director, Technical Manager and Research Engineer who has achieved three ASQ Certifications: Quality Manager, Quality Engineer and Quality Auditor. He has been with Illiana for many years and is currently serving as Co-Chief Proctor for all ASQ Certification Testing.

Renee is a Quality Coordinator at Vesuvius USA and has an Associates Degree in Medical Billing. She performs different functions at Vesuvius, including creation of Batch Forms, Document Control, Data Entry, Internal Auditing, and  in charge of various databases.  She previously worked at Smiths Medical as Quality technician on all three shifts; inspecting tracheotomy tubes. She also became their  Document Control Specialist and internal auditor.  Renee is currently studying to take the CQA exam.

Brent is a HSSE (Health, Safety, Security & Environment) Supervisor and auditor in a support role for BP North America's Whiting Business Unit.  He is a Six Sigma Green Belt with an ASQ certification as a Quality Auditor and an IHMM certification as a Hazardous Materials Manager. He was a Quality Manager and ISO9000 Lead Auditor for over 8 years with Avery Dennison and has held several positions in Quality, Environment, Health and Safety during 15 years of experience in manufacturing.

Brent also holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees from Indiana State University and a Certificate in Quality Control from Purdue University Calumet.

He believes that safe operations enable a quality process and productively engaged workforce.  In his spare time he serves as a Lieutenant with the Highland Indiana Fire Department and enjoys time with his young family. He has been involved with the Illiana Section since 2005 and is excited about serving the Section membership as Treasurer

Daniel Lowery serves as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Calumet College of St. Joseph, located in Whiting, Indiana. He played a major role in creating the College’s newest program offering a Master of Science in Quality Assurance degree. Dan received his BA degree from Valparaiso University, his MSBA from Indiana University Northwest and a Ph.D. in public administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses both at Indiana University Northwest and Calumet College of St. Joseph. Dan has been consulting on quality topics in both the nonprofit sector for healthcare. Prior to his academic career, he worked for 20 years as senior administrator with the Social Security Administration.

Edgar Wilson (Bill) Blackmon has been employed by Innophos and related companies for 31 years. During that time he has served in various positions
in maintenance, Operations and Engineering. Bill is a certified Quality Engineer and has been an active member of ASQ since 2002. He currently is the Technical Manager for Innophos Chicago Heights. In this position he is responsible for sharing Process Improvement Methods throughout the Innophos five plant system and fostering Continuous Improvement. Bill is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering and earned a Masters from Keller Graduate School of Management. He has been married for 31 years to Phyllis and they have three children. Bill is active in his church as a Deacon, sings in the Male Chorus and assists his wife in her ministries feeding the homeless and providing guidance to those with addictions. He is also a photographer.

Kim Bernas is a ASQ Certified Quality Auditor who has been employed at Federal Signal Corporation for 9 1/2 years. She has been with Electrical Products Division as the Quality Technician since 1999. She as provided training for Electrostatic Discharge and Blue Print reading. Kim performs ISO Internal Audits, Supplier Issues and communications, Material Review Board Finished Goods Audits and non-conforming material processing. Kim Bernas was employed by Sun Electric Corporation fir 18 years. While there Kim worked as a Calibrator and test of the computer diagnostic equipment for motor vehicles, Final and Receiving Inspection. Kim Bernas is the proud parent of a daughter and a son, and the very proud Grandparent of three (2 boys and a girl).

Don Herz
Phone: (708) 755-7000 X337
Email:  dherz@landauerinc.com