From offices in Boise, Post Falls, Twin Falls, and Pocatello, TechHelp Specialists help Idaho manufacturers, food processors and entrepreneurs improve their competitiveness through continuous product and process innovation.
Manufacturing Specialist – Idaho State University College of Business – Pocatello
Office Phone: 208.282.3928
Email: DaveOConnell@isu.edu
David O’Connell is TechHelp’s Manufacturing Specialist in Eastern Idaho at the Idaho State University College of Business in Pocatello.
Dave was introduced to advanced manufacturing practices early in his career at General Electric (GE). That initial exposure instilled a passion for process improvement that still burns in him today. He is eager to put his experience to use helping Idaho companies improve their processes so they can be more competitive.
Dave attended a Deming Four Day Seminar while working for GE where he learned Statistical Process Control and Continuous Improvement. He has applied these skills in every position that he has held since then. He has continued to increase his skills and knowledge in these areas by getting his Green Belt Certification while working at Heinz and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification while working at TechHelp.
Dave developed an interest in and received advanced training in Training Within Industry (TWI); a WWII vintage approach to worker training that was so good and so effective that it is being revived. TWI is a simple, yet effective, method for training employees, dealing with people problems, and effectively using resources in the workplace.
Dave’s career included several assignments with GE’s Aircraft Engine division as well as positions with RE/MAX International and Heinz in Pocatello where he was warehouse and production supervisor. At each stop along the way, he was able to save company time and money by introducing efficient practices to the workplace. The opportunity to improve the competitiveness of Idaho manufacturers and processors by sharing his knowledge and experience drew Dave to TechHelp.
O’Connell Fun Fact:
Dave is passionate about his horses and Border Collies and is a working cowboy in his spare time. On any given weekend, you will find him riding and working his dogs on cattle and sheep ranches in Southeast Idaho and Wyoming.
Rural Energy for America Program a partnership between TechHelp and Idaho State University Through the USDA Rural Development grant initiative, our organization performs energy audits for a range of entities
TechHelp and the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance will offer a Public Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Course (LSSGB) at IMA’s HQ in Nampa with full-day sessions on 1/17, 1/31, 2/14, and 3/6 of 2024. Lean Six Sigma is a well-known approach for achieving operational excellence that combines the process improvement benefits of Lean with the statistical process control benefits of Six Sigma. The course includes time between sessions for participants to complete workplace projects.
There has never been a better time to apply the principles of Lean Six Sigma in your organization. With today’s tight labor market and supply chain challenges, Lean can help your company become a more attractive employer and a stronger competitor. Luke Fuess and Janna Hamlett of TechHelp, the University of Idaho, and the legendary Lean practitioner Gene Hamacher will lead the course and provide LSSGB project support.
I hope the weather is not treating you too harshly as we enter the holiday season.
We are thrilled to announce that our team has expanded with the arrival of Stuart Walker, a 28-year research and development veteran in the food industry. Stuart joined TechHelp as a Food Specialist in October of 2023 after working for almost 12 years at the renowned Litehouse Food Company in Sandpoint, Idaho. He looks forward to utilizing his extensive food formulation and manufacturing knowledge and background to help solve the current problems being experienced by Idaho food manufacturers. Stuart will be based in Boise but will serve Idaho food processors statewide.