James R. Thompson
James over 25 years of experience serving domestic and international organizations in their pursuit of organizational excellence. James also specializes in leadership development and advanced manufacturing techniques.
In 2003, James founded Concentric in order to advise customers in organizational improvement, process optimization and integrated (concentric) management techniques. Jim has led hundreds of projects in Lean, ISO 9001, Automotive Quality (i.e. IATF & ISO/TS 16949), AIAG Core Tools, AS9100, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001/ISO 45001 and other organizational excellence (OE) implementation projects. In 2008, Jim relocated the business to Charleston, SC due to demand in cost reduction efforts, particularly in the automotive & aerospace manufacturing sectors. Jim is an Exemplar Global accredited QMS Lead Auditor.
MARKET SECTOR EXPERIENCE
Litigation – Expert Witness
Automotive & Aerospace Manufacturing
Rubber & Plastics Products
Software & Database Products
Basic Metals & Fabricated Metal Products
Machinery & Equipment
Dies & Tooling Design & Mfg
Electrical & Optical Equipment
Heavy Duty Transportation Equipment
Information Technology
Engineering Services
Education & Training
Health & Social Work
Medical Devices
Chemicals & Cleaning Agents
Nitriding & Other Heat Treating Processes
FUNCTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Small Business Start-up
Management of Key Accounts & Business Development
Technical Project Management (TPM)
Accredited QMS Lead Auditor (Exemplar Global Certified)
Author of The Management System Architect
Supply Chain Development
Process Design & Optimization
Program & Account Management
Quality & Process Engineering
IT System Administration
Webmaster & Social Media Designer
Special Events Coordinator
Founder of Not-for-Profit (Columbus Entertainment & Events Network)
DISTINCTIONS
Six Sigma Certification (Cummins) & LSS Greenbelt (LeanCor)
Expert Witness –International Trade Commission (ITC) Federal Case
Exemplar Global (RAB, RABQSA) QMS Lead Auditor (2002+) & Master Management Consultant (2019+)
Founder & Director – CEEN, Inc. (Columbus Entertainment & Events Network) non-profit charitable organization
ASQ Senior Member & various board positions served, including Board Chair (2015)
Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity Board of Directors (1994-1996); Alumni Adviser (2014-current)
CONSULTANT TODAY
Founder & President at Concentric Global
Founder & CEO at CheckScout, LLC
Lives & works in Charleston, SC
ASQ (American Society for Quality) - Charleston Section Chair (2015), Lowcountry Quality Conference Chair (2014-2015), International Leadership Team Member with Lean Enterprise Division (LED) and Quality Management Division (QMD)
WORK HISTORY & PROJECTS
President - Concentric Global (Concentric Management Systems, Inc.) Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Management Consulting industry February 2003 - current
Management System Consultant/Special Projects - Cummins, Inc Public Company; 10,001+ employees; CMI; Automotive industry April 2008 – March 2011 (3 years)
Lead Expert Witness for International Trade Commission Case – Bryan Cave Partnership; 1001-5000; Law Practice September 2006 – February 2008 (1 year 6 months)
Consultant - Advanced Nitriding Solutions Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Automotive & Aerospace industry April 2007 – April 2008 (1 year)
Quality/Process Improvement Advisor - Columbus Container Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Packaging & Containers 2005 – 2008 (3 years)
Management System Consultant - Productive Resources Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Mechanical or Industrial Engineering industry August 2004 – September 2008 (4 years 2 months)
Certified Lead Auditor – QMI-SAI Global Public Company; 501-1000 employees; Information Services 2002 – 2008 (6 years)
Quality Systems Manager - Valeo Engine Cooling Privately Held; 5001-10,000 employees; Automotive industry 1999 – 2003 (4 years)
Quality Engineer & QMS Management Rep - Cinram International Public Company; 10,001+ employees; Media Production industry 1994 – 1999 (5 years)
EDUCATION & COURSES
Purdue University (1996) – Bachelors in Industrial Organizational Psychology; Organizational Leadership & Supervision + various post-graduate studies
Exemplar Global Accreditation as a Lead Auditor for Quality Management System registration (2002+)
QMIIAC Accreditation as a Lead Auditor for Quality Management System registration (2004-2008)
Six Sigma Certification (2010+)
Licensed South Carolina Real Estate Broker (2011+)
NOTABLE PROJECTS
In addition to his advanced management system experience, Jim has also provided expertise as a Lead Expert Witness in a monumental foreign trade International Trade Commission (ITC) case – setting the precedence for US laws related to the import & export regulations associated with heavy duty equipment trade.
Jim has also provided process improvement and management system training to over 10,000 students globally.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES & CAUSES
Founder & Promoter - Greenstock Music Festival Cause: Environmental January 2005 – 2009 (5 years); current sponsor & volunteer
Founder & President - CEEN (Columbus Entertainment & Events Network) Cause: Arts and Culture; Economic Development August 2003 – August 2007 (4 years 1 month)
Assistant to the Director – Band Together for ALS Cause: ALS/ Lou Gehrig's disease July 2011 - 2012
HOBBIES & FUN FACTS
Passion for music, concerts, festivals and organizing social events
Plays guitar and drums; Drumline in the Purdue All American Marching Band
Absent and tardy only ONE (1) day in 13 years of school (K-12)
Loves golfing, camping, hiking, boating and traveling
RECOMMENDATIONS
“Estimated cost savings thus far is $150k savings by using Jim’s [video on-demand Auditor Transition Series] course. I’ll share that info internally to let people understand the magnitude of the value. Also, one of the India sites had Jim’s course listed as a strength (best practice) in their transition audit report!”
“Jim is well organized and business savvy. He has grown his company at a steady pace over the years and he has the knowledge, team and connections to help grow your business well. He understands his product thoroughly and knows how to apply it. I would strongly recommend his services for start-ups, small businesses in for the long haul or corporate structures needing quality/margin improvements.”
“Jim led CTT through the Quality System certification process on ISO/TS 16949. During this time, I witnessed his leadership skills, open-minded approach, in which he consistently drove the organization to a process-oriented approach. He has a solid knowledge on Quality tools, such as FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, APQP and Six Sigma. Under his lead, the plant defined a robust action plan to have actions identified and built a plan to timely achieve the deliverables, linked with processes metrics, in a way the whole organization improved the metrics and mastered the internal processes. Under his lead, there was a considerable increase on internal audits and results were retrofit on processes as part of continuous improvement program. I recommend Jim as an experienced professional to support a company on Quality Management System activities.”
“Jim has a wonderful heart for helping others succeed. He is tirelessly seeking ways to pool resources together in order to address the needs of his clients. He is a great family man and a savvy business person.”
“Great course and instructor. Jim gets everyone’s thinking and had us engaged in the material. Highly enjoyed the team exercises and class discussions.”
“Great class. I like how Jim used [our company’s] experiences in real examples. Having 15+ years of experience with our manufacturing processes helps to make the connection between the paperwork, slides, handouts and the work environment.”