Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast

This week, we’re talking with Avi Fishman, a Lean Master Black Belt and Six Sigma Black Belt with extensive experience in healthcare systems process improvement who — at the time we recorded our interview — recently found himself looking for his next job. We talked with him about his career path from an NYPD officer to health care administrator, his approach to leveraging his professional network, and his advice for all on remaining “resume ready.”This episode also marks the 200th published episode of “Problem Solved.” Since we launched in May 2019, we have talked with professionals, students, authors, and business leaders in the fields of industrial and systems engineering, healthcare systems, and ergonomics as well as the numerous industries and academia in-between. We’re grateful for the wisdom and insights of our guests, and we’re especially thankful to our listeners — spanning the globe across more than 125 countries. We’re planning to return with new episodes of “Problem Solved” as well as our new Q&A series “ExpertISE” in 2025.

In this week’s episode, Chris Tonn*, director of outreach and networking for IISE’s Modeling and Simulation Division, sits down with Jarrod Thome.Jarrod is an Operations Manager in McDonald’s Global Operations Strategy & Standards department, where he uses his expertise in simulation modeling to tackle big questions for one of the world’s most recognized brands. With a career spanning roles at the United States Postal Service and Spirit Aerosystems, Jarrod has developed and implemented simulation models across diverse industries, including aircraft manufacturing and logistics.In this conversation, Jarrod shares how simulation modeling drives innovation at McDonald’s, from understanding customer behavior to optimizing global operations. He also offers insights into lessons learned throughout his career and the future of modeling in both manufacturing and service industries.*(When he's not podcasting for IISE, Chris Tonn is a simulation engineer for Spirit AeroSystems Inc. in the Manufacturing Integration Technology, Future Factory Team.)

James Swisher, IISE's Director of Continuing Education, returns to ExpertISE this week to offer his insights on the following question: "What role does ethics play in ISE and how are students prepared to handle ethical dilemmas in the field?"

This week on ExpertISE — Javier Masini, industrial engineer with Value Management Strategies Inc. and an IISE instructor, answers the following question: "Can ISE principles be applied to non-manufacturing sectors?"

James Swisher, IISE's Director of Continuing Education, returns to ExpertISE this week to offer his insights on the following question: "How can students gain practical experience or internships in the industrial and systems engineering field while still in school?"

Eric Hassen, president of the Applied Ergonomics Society, and Martha Parker, AES board member and Project Manager for the Texas A&M Center for Worker Health, discuss how to develop ergo programs to improve worker safety, remote work challenges for ergonomists and the benefits of belonging to the society.

In this episode of "ExpertISE," author, certified Lean Six Sigma master black belt, and continuous improvement expert Tina Agustiady answers: "How important are group projects and teamwork in the ISE profession?"

With early and mail-in voting underway in the 2024 elections in the U.S., and an anticipated crowd of in-person voters topping it all off Nov. 5, how are election officials managing the ballot traffic and executing a free and fair election process? We talked to returning guest Gretchen Macht, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial & Systems Engineering at The University of Rhode Island. Dr. Macht is also the Director of the Engineering for Democracy Institute, previously known as URI VOTES. She discusses how her team engages with county election officials from different parts of the U.S., the lessons learned from four years ago and how they’re being applied now, and what you should know about the process in real time as American voters — and the world — wait for the results.You can listen to Dr. Macht's previous appearance on our podcast ahead of the 2020 elections at: https://share.transistor.fm/s/7dc07e35

Barrett Caldwell, Ph.D., professor of industrial engineering and aeronautics and astronautics at Purdue University as well as a Fellow of IISE, returns for another round of "ExpertISE." This week, Dr. Caldwell gives his thoughts on the following question: "What role does ethics play in ISE and how are students prepared to handle ethical dilemmas in the field?"

James Swisher, IISE's Director of Continuing Education, returns to ExpertISE this week to offer his insights on the following question: "What's one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were a student in ISE?"

This week on ExpertISE — Javier Masini, industrial engineer with Value Management Strategies Inc. and an IISE instructor, answers the following question: "How do real world ISE projects differ from the theoretical scenarios discussed in college?"

First-time guest Jacquie Maupin and returning guest Ali Hobbs Everett share their personal stories and discuss their indirect paths into healthcare systems improvement, as well as the industrial and systems engineering skills and know-how needed to succeed in the field.

Elizabeth Gentry, Ph.D., a solution value analyst at Philips and a part-time instructor for the University of Louisville and IISE, returns to ExpertISE to answer the question: "How do you incorporate feedback loops and continuous improvement in the systems you design or optimize?"

Barrett Caldwell, Ph.D., professor of industrial engineering and aeronautics and astronautics at Purdue University as well as a Fellow of IISE, returns for another round of "ExpertISE." This week, Dr. Caldwell gives his thoughts on the following question: "How important are group projects and teamwork in the ISE profession?"

James Swisher, IISE's Director of Continuing Education, returns to ExpertISE this week to offer his insights on the following question: "What strategies do you use to keep with the latest research and developments in the field?"

In this week's "ExpertISE," author, certified Lean Six Sigma master black belt, and continuous improvement expert Tina Agustiady answers: "What role does continuous learning play in the ever-evolving ISE landscape?"

This week on ExpertISE — Javier Masini, industrial engineer with Value Management Strategies Inc. and an IISE instructor, answers the following question: "Are there any specific soft skills that are particularly valuable in the ISE profession?"

Rohan Shirwaiker is an IISE Fellow, a professor in the ISE department at North Carolina State University and co-director and chief scientific officer at the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein, where he works on the design and manufacture of biological products for medical and sustainable food applications. He discusses his work and career with fellow Penn State graduate Cassandra Sotos, an industrial engineer, entrepreneur and professional musician. The duo also discuss their career paths beginning at their shared time at Penn State as well as offer advice to young professionals and college students seeking a career in ISE.

Elizabeth Gentry, Ph.D., a solution value analyst at Philips and a part-time instructor for the University of Louisville and IISE, returns to ExpertISE to offer advice on mentorship for young professionals working in industrial and systems engineering.

Purdue University's Barrett Caldwell, Ph.D., is back for another episode of "ExpertISE." Barrett is a professor of industrial engineering and aeronautics and astronautics at Purdue as well as a Fellow of IISE. This week, Barrett answers: "How do you see the intersection of ISE with the growing emphasis on remote work and decentralized teams?"