Episode 17: Harmonizing Efficiency with Kevin Keller
In Episode 17 of Quality Time With MoreSteam, host Dan Swartwout sits down with Kevin Keller, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and barbershop harmony hall-of-famer, for an inspiring conversation about process improvement.
Kevin brings decades of experience as a consultant, teacher, and coach, sharing practical insights into statistical tools and methodologies that drive operational success. Topics include statistical hypothesis testing for data-driven decisions, control charts for maintaining process quality, and response surface methodology for optimizing product performance. With real-world examples, Kevin demystifies complex statistical concepts, making them accessible and impactful for professionals at any level.
But process improvement isn’t Kevin’s only area of expertise—his passion for barbershop music offers a unique perspective on teamwork and continuous improvement. Kevin shares how the principles of harmony and collaboration in music align perfectly with achieving excellence in operations.
Whether you’re a Lean Six Sigma practitioner, a stats enthusiast, or simply curious about how process improvement principles can harmonize with creativity, this episode strikes all the right notes.
In this episode, you will hear about:
1:24 - Meet Kevin
2:26 - How Kevin got involved in Lean Six Sigma
3:58 - How Kevin got involved with MoreSteam
5:30 - Consulting work as a Master Black Belt
7:00 - How Kevin uses continuous improvement principles in his personal life
8:26 - The MoreSteam webinars hosted by Kevin
10:23 - Improving operations by understanding variability in manufacturing processes
15:10 - What is CPK
16:20 - Statistical hypothesis testing and its role in process improvement
17:54 - Simplifying statistical concepts to make statistical insights more impactful
21:44 - The importance of valid statistical inferences in business decision making
24:13 - The skill of communicating as a Master Black Belt
25:32 - How control charts assist in maintaining process quality
31:30 - Response surface methodology
34:41 - Kevin’s hall of fame career in Barbershop music
Additional Resources:
Kevin Keller's November 20, 2024 Webinar
Kevin Keller's December 18, 2024 Webinar
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Exploring the Power of Response Surface Methodology
Unlocking the Power of Statistical Hypothesis Testing: A Fresh Approach
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Host • MoreSteam
Dan Swartwout is the host of Quality Time with MoreSteam. A lifelong Central Ohio resident, Dan is a double Buckeye. He earned both a BA and a law degree from The Ohio State University. Before joining MoreSteam, Dan had a long career as a host, comedian, and master of ceremonies. For 17 years, Dan was the studio audience host for the Ohio Lottery game show Cash Explosion. Dan was also the host of CBuzz, which was a collaboration between the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, WWCD 92.9, and the Columbus Dispatch. On CBuzz, Dan interviewed some of the most prominent entrepreneurs in Central Ohio. From 2002-2020, Dan toured the country as a standup comedian. Tracks from his comedy CD have been played over 5,000 times on Sirius/XM satellite radio. Now, Dan brings his experience and enthusiasm to Quality Time with MoreSteam -- it's business and fun, together.
Master Black Belt • MoreSteam Client Services
Kevin Keller is a professional statistician and quality professional with over 30 years of experience teaching, coaching, and leading Lean Six Sigma project teams from the shop floor to the enterprise levels. He began his career as a process engineer at Texas Instruments and then served in a Master Black Belt role at MEMC Electronic Materials for 15 years. Kevin advanced to manage quality systems for AB‐InBev and eventually accepted a Master Black Belt position for AB‐InBev's North American Zone. Kevin earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology and a Masters in Applied Statistics from The Ohio State University. He also is a certified Lean Six Sigma MBB.
