Mr. Burkhammer began his career in 1972 at FMC's Link Belt Chain Division in Indianapolis, Indiana as a process metallurgist after graduating from Purdue University with a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering. The company was a very high volume producer of power transmission chain. Later transferring to FMC's Naval Systems Division in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1974, he spent the next 16 years in heavy weapon system manufacturing in a heavy manufacturing job shop environment. While there he earned an M.B.A from the University of Minnesota, and, based on the demonstrated ability to solve technical and organizational problems effectively, progressed from managing metallurgical departments to… industrial engineering development assignments, managing welding operations, manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, and finally, a major weapons program. Since then he has led many types of multi-plant manufacturing operations, some international in scope, in pure job shops producing heavy shipboard machinery, small medical devices, and construction equipment; a mass customizer of top quality office furniture, and a technical window films producer. Many of the assignments required the turnaround of poorly performing operations. All were successful. Each provided new insights and more experience in processes, project management, quality improvement, Lean Manufacturing, and constructive, collaborative leadership. He lives with his wife Mary in Martinsville, Virginia.