1. Samuel L. (Sam) Wagner
906 Geneva Drive, Alexandria, MN 56308
Cell: (320) 815-9896 Home: (320) 763-9359 Office: (320) 762-6408 direct
Summary of Qualifications
Action-oriented, hands-on change agent with strong lean manufacturing, quality, engineering,
and project management skills. Engineering degree, MBA.
Implement change using a coaching/teaching style emphasizing teamwork, accountability
and benefits to each individual. Quotes from direct reports on leadership style:
“Sam is a good communicator and active listener. He has a knack of steering conversations without
controlling the conversation.”
“Sam is a teamwork kind of guy. He strongly believes in the value of teamwork.”
“Sam’s style is to get you to have the idea so there is more ownership and buy-in.”
Experience
10/04 to present: Director of Advanced Manufacturing, Donnelly Custom Manufacturing
Company, Alexandria, MN
Direct quality, production, process engineering, training, and continuous improvement activities of over 200
employees for custom plastic injection molding company certified in ISO 9000 and 13485. Tag line “How Short
Run Is Done” serving major OEM customers. Consistently achieve results: 98%+ on-time delivery, under 1%
cost of quality, 25% annual scrap reduction saving over $700,000 per year, and continuous improvements in
value-added per employee. Position was created by company owners to take lean effort to next level.
2002 to 2004: Financial Representative, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and
Cambridge Investment Research, Alexandria, MN; Project / Design Engineer, Red River
Mfg., West Fargo, ND; Production Manager, Superior Industries, Morris, MN.
With children in school and poor economic conditions following 9-11, tried career change, but found my passion
was in manufacturing. In order to get back into manufacturing, accepted available positions that underutilized
my skills until Donnelly called and created my current position.
10/99 to 12/01: President / General Manager, Chassis Liner Corp., Alexandria, MN
Overall P&L responsibility for manufacturer and direct marketer of automotive collision repair (frame straightening)
equipment, with 70 employees in 3 sites. Developed and implemented strategic plan, forecasts/budgets, HR
strategies, R&D plan, quality system, and lean manufacturing. Business was sold and merged into buying company.
10/94 to 10/99: Business Unit / Plant Manager, Palmer Industries, Alexandria, MN
Manufacturing and product management responsibility for electrical wire fasteners line, with 80 employees
operating 24/7. Under GB/Gardner Bender brand, supplier to retailers such as Home Depot and Wal-Mart as well
as electrical distributors. Built dies, molds and custom automation equipment for internal use as well as for sister
divisions. Developed and trained teams to implement quality system and lean manufacturing techniques. Multiple
successful kaizen events resulting in substantial continuous improvements. Implemented Oracle ERP system.
Business and Industrial Appreciation Day recipient, awarded annually by community. Corporate Strategic Sourcing
team member with six figure annual savings. Company was Industry Week magazine “Best Plants” Finalist in 2005.
7/92 to 10/94: Regional Director, Minnesota Technology, Moorhead, MN
6/82 to 7/92: Program Manager / Chief, Engrg. Cost Dev’t / Cost Dev’t Engineer, General
Dynamics / Space Systems Division, San Diego, CA – 6/82 to 7/92.
2. Samuel L. (Sam) Wagner
(Continued)
Formal Education
• Masters of Business Administration, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA – 1987
• BS in Engineering Management, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND – 1982
• Diploma, Detroit Lakes High School, Detroit Lakes, MN – 1977
Training and Certifications
• Lean Certification exam, Society of Manufacturing Engineers – 2007
• TWI, Job Methods Certified Instructor, New York Technology Development Organization – 2006
• ISO 9000 Registered Lead Assessor, P-E Batalas – 1993
• Certificate in Cost Analysis, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA – 1985
Community Involvement and Positions Held, 1995-current
• Board of Greater Alexandria Area Industrial Network
• Board of Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission
• Board of local chapter of Rotary International
• Board Vice-Chair of West Central Initiative
• Board of Alexandria – Douglas County Developers
• Church Council
Presentations and Publications
Donnelly Custom Manufacturing – Case Study in upcoming book on Training Within Industry to be published in
November, 2010 by Productivity Press
“The TWI Connection with Problem Solving.” presentation at TWI Summit, Las Vegas, NV, May 11, 2010
“The Critical Role of the TWI Champions in a Successful TWI Implementation” webcast with Steve Grossman of
TWI Institute, February 25, 2010
“Business Problem Solving – The Toyota Way,” Panelist with David Meier, December 15, 2009
“Using TWI to Set the Standards for How Short Run is Done,” presentation at TWI Summit, Cincinnati, OH,
May-09
“Managing Manufacturing Complexity through Innovative Processes,” presentation at IndustryWeek Best Plants
Conference, Nashville, TN, Apr-09
“Overcoming Mistakes for Improved Quality Performance,” presentation at Tri-State Manufacturers Association
meeting in Brandon, MN, Feb-09
“Hands Around the Job,” article in Mechanical Engineering Magazine, Feb-09 (see article at
http://memagazine.asme.org/Articles/2009/February/Hands_Around_Job.cfm )
“Building an Effective Employee Idea System,” presentation at Manufacturers Alliance program at Hennepin
Technical College, Minneapolis, MN, Nov-08 (see part of presentation at http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=m89iE3oLDZs )
“Creating Profit Through Lean in Custom Short Run,” at Enterprise Minnesota event in Shakopee, MN, Nov-08
“Mistake-proofing in the Custom, Short Run Environment,” at Productivity, Inc. Conference in Nashville, TN,
Oct-08
“Step Up Employee Training with TWI,” Donnelly Web Site, Feb-08 (see article at http://www.donnmfg.com/e-
news/0208/donnelly_e_news_0208.html )
“Supply Chain Partners, Training Within Industry Supports Common Goals,” edited by Sidney Hill, Jr.,
Manufacturing Business Technology, Feb-08
“Tips for 5S on the Shop Floor,” Donnelly Web Site, Aug-07 (see article at http://www.donnmfg.com/e-
news/0807/0807_donnelly_e_news.html )
3. “The Latest in Lean: Training Within Industry,” ghost-written for Ron Kirscht in Quality Digest Magazine, Jan-07
“Lean Manufacturing in a Short Run Custom Manufacturing Environment,” CEO Peer Council, Monticello, MN,
Jun-06