2023 Quality Awards

The Quality Professional of the Year recognizes an individual who, during the course of his/her career, has made outstanding contributions to the quality profession. The Quality Plant of the Year award recognizes plants that have applied world-class quality technology, equipment, services and techniques that improve quality standards. In our latest award, Rookie of the Year, Quality recognizes an individual with one to five years of experience in the industry who has contributed to the quality profession even in this short amount of time.

The 2023 Quality Awards Presentation will take place prior to the Keynote Presentation on Wednesday, October 25 from 9:00am – 10:00am  

Reed Switch Developments Corp. (RSD), based in Racine, WI, celebrated its 55^th anniversary last year, alongside its 35^th as a Wisconsin manufacturer. Today, Debra Dahlin is the second-generation owner and president of the WBE-certified company. Under her leadership, RSD has grown steadily, despite a series of recessions, a global pandemic, and a major pivot from primarily standard parts into small-to-medium volume custom ones.

 

Saso Krstovski, former Ford Lean Manufacturing Manager and Six Sigma Master Black Belt

His colleagues say there's no one like him. Saso Krstovski is a 27-year veteran of the Ford Motor Company and an adjunct professor at Lawrence Technological University. He's been described as that rare person who can teach anyone about technical subjects, listen carefully, win over skeptical staff, and even emcee a retirement party with just the right mix of humor. A Ford colleague described him as the Pied Piper of manufacturing, someone who is always trying to help others. When faced with a complicated problem, another colleague said he asks himself, "What would Saso do?" Many have said they were grateful to have met him, even if they no longer work together.

 

Jared Curtis, Project Coordinator, PPI Quality & Engineering

It wasn’t a nerve-racking decision, Jared Curtis says. He wanted a change and he got one, soaking up new information like a sponge. Customers responded and sent glowing emails about his work. It was only a year into the new career that he was a little unnerved. The pandemic arrived. Oil was trading at negative $50 a barrel and he started to worry: “Did I make the right decision?” But eventually things stabilized and he felt secure. Finding the right people to help him along the way was crucial, he says. One of his colleagues and mentors was Tash Baksh, PPI’s Manager Quality, Health, Safety, Security, Environment, & Operational Excellence. 

In his letter of recommendation, Baksh wrote, “With Jared’s very short tenure in the quality industry, he has made a difference at our company, exemplified excellence, and has positively impacted quality on our operational team. His skills, great attitude, and willingness to help others both internally and externally makes him our Rookie of the Year nominee.” Quality agreed.