Staff and Board

(802) 299-9728
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Patrick is based at VMEC’s office on the Vermont Technical College (VTC) campus in Randolph Center. He is responsible for leading the VMEC team in their mission to strengthen and grow Vermont’s manufacturing sector. He also works to further and strengthen the Center’s collaboration with Vermont, regional, and federal stakeholders and partners.

Patrick has had a long career in a number of industries including transportation, education, medical device manufacturing, and testing, inspection and certification. Most recently he held the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Learning Officer at Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and prior to that, was President of the UL Knowledge Services Business, providing knowledge, education, training and advisory services to manufacturers around the world. He started his career as a craft apprentice electrician at British Rail in Edinburgh, Scotland. He has lived and worked in a number of countries including the UK, Egypt, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, China and the United States. He is delighted to be living and working in central Vermont.

Patrick earned an honors degree in Psychology and Public Media awarded by The University of Leeds. He has a Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering awarded by the Scottish Technical Education Council obtained at West Lothian Technical College. Patrick’s formal business education was in Medtronic’s Asia Pacific Leadership Program in association with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Kellogg School of Management, and the UL Executive Leadership Program in association with the Yale School of Management.

Office: (802) 728-1568 / Cell: (802) 793-0919
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Rebecca is a Certified Public Accountant and has a Masters degree in Leadership from Franklin Pierce University. She has worked with manufacturing companies since 1986 and has been the financial support both internally as Controller and externally as a consultant, auditor and tax advisor. Rebecca joined VMEC in April 2002 and works out of her home office in White River Junction.

(802) 498-7711
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Anne has worked with VMEC for nearly 15 years in an administrative capacity. She earned her Associates degree in Business Management and Technology in 2016 from VTC. Prior to working with VMEC, she was employed by BCBSVT for 14 years in the claims and project management departments. She worked for Merchants Bank as a teller, head teller, and assistant manager and co-owned a business for 12 years.

She lives in New Hampshire and prior to there, lived in Northfield where she raised her 4 children and spent thousands of hours traveling the state for hockey, soccer, baseball, basketball, and softball.  Anne’s passions include creating stained glass pieces, mosaics, landscaping, and traveling to see her children and grandchildren.

(802) 793-2078
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Robynn has over 30 years of experience in the areas of communications, marketing, event management and public relations. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Communication Arts/Public Relations from SUNY Plattsburgh as well as an Associate Degree in Business from Champlain College.

Robynn’s past work experience has included positions with the Plattsburgh & Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, Director of Special Events for the Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation (PARC) and Trade Show and Training Coordinator for Blodgett Corporation.  She joined the VMEC Team as Marketing & Training Manager in 2009.

Having grown up in the Adirondacks, she heads “across the pond” often to hike or snowshoe and see family. You may also find her on a White Mtn. or Greens trail, road biking, at a classic rock concert or her favorite place in the whole world, a beach on Cape Cod in the summer!

(802) 734-1227
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Carla C. Wuthrich joined the VMEC team after 25 years of experience at IBM and GlobalFoundries in technical, managerial and transformational roles. Over 10 years while at IBM, she led and aligned the Strategy Deployment processes, Leadership Development and continuous improvement efforts for the IBM Microelectronics Division, reaching over 3 sites and 5,000 employees. Areas of direct influence included manufacturing engineering and operations, development, characterization and test, quality management systems, finance, supply chain and value stream management. At GlobalFoundries, Carla became the Value Stream Program Manager for semiconductor modules, managing the daily to annual processes to exceed on-time delivery, revenue and inventory objectives.       

Carla is equally energized when facilitating and coaching the executive suite through to the front lines, in production and non-production environments.  Using end-to-end, strategic thinking and data, she partners one-on-one with leaders and their teams to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and mindsets that can sustain a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, while working on the challenges and opportunities that matter today.

Carla has a diversity of training and experience in Materials Science (Cornell University (BS) & Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), Lean / Continuous Improvement systems (IBM/LSSBB, VMEC, LEI) and ballet (American Ballet Company and School of American Ballet).  She serves on the board of a local, interfaith non-profit. While she is profoundly energized by her work, she also is called to share music, a meal or a quick hike with her family and friends.

(802) 274-1407
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Phil has been helping manufacturing businesses improve and grow since earning an engineering degree in 1990.  Starting as an engineer visiting customers to solve problems and introduce new products led to roles in sales and business development; after completing his MBA, Phil went on to be Plant Manager, Technical Director and General Manger in various companies.

Along the way he has implemented lean transformations, ISO certifications and business development systems. This includes experience at both small and large companies in industries including papermaking, nonwovens, electrical insulation, electronics and metal fabrication. He brings a diverse background and a track record of successes, whether on the shop floor or working with the leadership team.

When not working, he can be found with his family in the Northeast Kingdom, hiking, biking or skiing.

(802) 373-3537
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A problem solver by nature, Chris has been helping product development and manufacturing companies overcome challenges throughout his career. He has been instrumental in developing new products and implementing manufacturing technology in regulated industries including defense, medical devices and ISO / FDA environments. He joins VMEC to assist companies with Industry 4.0 advanced manufacturing technologies to increase their growth, competitive advantage and address workforce shortages.

Chris earned a mechanical engineering degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where projects and teamwork were hallmarks of their engineering program. Chris has collaborated with engineers and businesses on a portfolio of products including in vitro diagnostics, medical devices, surgical instruments, RF devices, fiber optics as well as electro-mechanical scientific instrumentation. His background includes automation, semi-automated systems and additive manufacturing (3D printing).

With an affinity for advancing entrepreneurial ventures, Chris has worked in multiple start-up companies. In 2002 he started his own business, Adaptive Engineering, LLC, a consulting company focused on assisting Vermont-based product development and manufacturing companies. He is proficient in all aspects of the product lifecycle – from market research and customer discovery to design, manufacturing, market launch and process improvement.

When not solving problems for Vermont manufacturers, Chris can be found mountain biking, skiing, or exploring the outdoors.

(802) 363-7229
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Louis comes to VMEC after a variety of work experiences at numerous Vermont manufacturers. He’s held operational roles including Logistics Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Quality Manager and Director of Operations. He has been on a Lean journey for over 20 years. His work experience ranges from a small start-up to a large aerospace manufacturer. As a collaborative leader, Louis enjoys identifying challenges and improving processes with functional teams. The idea of empowering a workforce to continuously improve, makes the work exciting and rewarding.

Originally from northeastern Vermont, he moved to Burlington for a college degree and stayed. He studied business management and earned degrees from both Champlain and Trinity Colleges. As a lifelong learner he immersed himself in Lean philosophies, advancing that knowledge with every position he has held.

As a Vermonter, Louis embraces all five seasons. He enjoys the amazing opportunities Vermont offers in the rain, snow and even mud.  You may bump into him jogging, hiking or biking back-country trails. In addition, he plays hockey and dabbles in standup comedy. Most importantly, Louis is a dedicated husband and father.

(802) 779-2709
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(802) 299-1456
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Lisa began working for VMEC in November 1996, adjusting her schedule in July 2022 to work part time. With over 40 years of practical experience in the manufacturing and professional services industry, she has held positions in technical sales and service, strategic planning, quality management and project management as well as Director of Manufacturing at the King Arthur Flour Company. Lisa has worked broadly across enterprises from the shop floor to the executive boardroom, coaching and facilitating organizational transformations in continuous improvement. Her broad skills and experiences integrate throughout industry sectors such as healthcare, higher education, government as well as manufacturing. She works with Vermont companies to implement an Innovation Engineering Management System; as a pioneer of the practice, in early 2014, Lisa became the fourth VMEC Team Member to be certified as an Innovation Engineering Black Belt.

When she is not working with clients, Lisa can be found outdoors enjoying the beauty our region has to offer with her husband, Chris.

(802) 431-3323
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Don retired full time from VMEC in December 2020 but works with us on an as-needed basis.

Don has over 40 years experience in manufacturing engineering and manufacturing management, including Department of Defense (DoD) manufacturing. He also has expertise implementing Lean improvements and strategies in the healthcare industry. Prior to VMEC, Don was process and test engineer, a manufacturing manager, and a partner in a startup technical services business where he served as General Manager. Don holds a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Pennsylvania State University and studied Software engineering at the University of Vermont.

Don’s primary focus is in implementing Lean transformations and providing practical Lean training in manufacturing, office and health care settings. He also has expertise in RFID applications, plus experience working with clients through the VMEC New England Manufacturing Supply Chain (NEMSC) Defense Industry Initiative. He holds a Lean Bronze Certification and is recognized as a LBC-Sensei under the guidelines of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME), American Society of Quality (ASQ), and the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing.

(802) 289-2890
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Ken retired full time from VMEC in February 2017 but works with us on an as-needed basis.

Ken brings to VMEC over 30 years manufacturing experience with engineered products. From technical applications of air and water pollution control systems to fabrication of custom aluminum structures, Ken has worked intimately with design and manufacturing teams. As Vice President of Operations and then President of a job shop manufacturer in Baltimore, MD, he applied his technical and financial experience to the strategic development of new products, improvement of manufacturing operations and allocation of scarce resources. Cellular production and work teams were key elements to the company’s success.

Ken was trained as a Mechanical Engineer with distinction from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, followed by a Master in Administrative Science from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Finance from Loyola College, Baltimore, MD, and course work for a MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland.  In his 15 years with VMEC, Ken worked with manufacturers and service organizations throughout Vermont applying Lean fundamentals to improve work flow, workplace organization and problem solving. Additionally, he has used these techniques and the experience of eight years on the Board of Directors for a regional acute care hospital in Maryland to apply the same improvements to several medical centers in Vermont.

Off the clock, Ken trains for endurance racing and competes in cross country skiing and 24 hour orienteering races at the international level. As an active biathlete, he won his age class at the US National Championships in both the Sprint and Pursuit races in winter 2022.

(802) 777-8597
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Keri has over 20 years experience working for numerous manufacturers across Vermont.  Starting as an applications engineer, she experienced a complete Lean transformation early in her career with Husky Injection Molding.  That experience coupled with her drive to always be improving her own work processes and those around her spurred her career onto the path of continuous improvement.

Keri has worked in leadership roles in both the manufacturing and front office areas.  She has maintained a relationship with VMEC throughout her entire career becoming proficient in many of its teachings along the way including Lean 101 concepts, value stream mapping, TWI, set-up reduction, 5S, Kata and more.  Keri enjoys helping others to embrace their problems as opportunities for improvement.

Originally from Vermont, Keri earned her bachelor degree in electro-mechanical engineering from VTC in 1998. Recently she started her own small business servicing the local equine community.  She is an avid equine enthusiast who enjoys trail riding with her daughter, fox hunting and leather crafting.