Member Spotlight - Meet Joel Smith
Introducing Joel Smith! Smith is an ASQ author and has been a senior member since 2013.
Current position: Director of continuous improvement, Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., Frisco, TX.
Education: Master’s degree in statistics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
Introduction to quality: LeRoy Franklin’s intro to statistics class at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN, was life-changing for me in terms of understanding how data could be used to drive improvement.
Previous noteworthy jobs: After college, I spent 13 years working several roles at Minitab Inc. and was able to attend many ASQ events as part of it.
ASQ activities: Previously, I served in several roles with ASQ’s Statistics Division including chair. Currently, I serve on the Hunter Award and Ott Scholarship committees.
Published works: I co-authored the Applied Statistics Manual (Quality Press, 2018), write the Random Thoughts column for Lean & Six Sigma Review, and co-authored a research paper on control charts for rare events for Quality Engineering (“Control Charts Based on the Exponential Distribution: Adapting Runs Rules for the t Chart,” Vol. 25, No. 2, April 2013).
Recent awards: I recently received the 2021 Award for the Advancement of Six Sigma at the ASQ Lean and Six Sigma Conference.
Personal: Married to Silvana for 15 years. Two children, ages 10 and 12.
Favorite ways to relax: I love to travel with my family, and I enjoy all kinds of cycling. I follow Virginia Tech very closely. Let’s go Hokies!
Quality quote: Make every decision, hold every conversation, and carry out every action as though your customers are right there in the room with you.
