Meet Herb Dwyer: Manufacturing and Quality Expert
You'll speak to a lead consultant on your initial call with Kevin Kennedy Associates — he will help define your technical requirements, business needs and the most skilled experts who match. Sometimes that expert is him!
I sat down with Herb Dwyer to discuss work and the lighter side of life. Here's a snapshot of Herb's expertise in manufacturing, quality and packaging, and what makes him tick.
1. What is your area of expertise?
I bring together teams to address unique and challenging technical issues in all kinds of product areas — oil and gas, medical device, alternate energy, complex manufacturing settings are just a few — throughout the world.
2. What do you like most about that technology or discipline?
I enjoy the process of exploring solutions that help clients gain a return on their own idea and vision. It allows me to exercise my skills and background.
3. What type of challenge do you find stimulating?
I like opportunity. The chance to achieve something that seems almost impossible with good business and technical approaches — that’s stimulating to me. Establishing a greenfield or even brownfield company as a way to add value also appeals to me.
4. Who was your childhood hero and why?
My early hero was George Washington, because he was willing to give up comforts for a purpose and a vision. He led from the front in challenging times, when everyone was willing to give up and surrender. Against overwhelming odds, he stuck to his vision and won. He helped found something that outlasted him; I want to do the same.
5. What piece of information do you think would surprise clients? It could be about their industry, projects, technology or anything that comes to mind.
I spent two years wildcatting in the southern Oklahoma area while drilling relatively shallow gas and oil wells. I didn't really strike it rich, but I learned how much oil and gas exists there and could appreciate the risk and the rewards of developing natural resources. Understanding price and supply is a good lesson for any product or project.
6. You may travel a lot for work. But where do you like to vacation?
I like to vacation in two places: India, where I do short-term mission trips and Southern California, where our daughter lives. Both offer unique experiences and challenges, and I’m always actively doing something that allows me to learn.
For example, I learned about drip irrigation, simple sanitation methods and inexpensive ways to collect dung to make gas for cooking while in India. These methods are effective in third world countries—especially in village areas.
Herb Dwyer is an expert in high density and high temperature electronic packaging, establishing processes, quality auditing and lean manufacturing process improvement. He also has an extensive background in plated copper on ceramic along with thick and thin film. His military background includes work with power supplies, aerospace, satellites, unmanned vehicles and electric hybrids. He graduated from Northeastern University and Boston College.