BAXTER SAUCIER APPOINTED AS OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

BATON ROUGE – Baxter Saucier, a Certified Six Sigma Master Blackbelt and a seasoned professional with over 20 years experience in continuous improvement disciplines to include Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Safety and Transformation initiatives, has been appointed as Operations Director of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana.

Saucier will support MEP of Louisiana activities by working in conjunction with the LCTCS MEP of Louisiana Executive Director Dayna Blanchard, as well as the team of MEP Project Managers and LCTCS college partners to create and drive the mission of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) MEP.  Saucier is also tasked with understanding manufacturing needs and helping to grow and sustain the coordinated partnership with the community and technical colleges in Louisiana to most effectively support manufacturers throughout Louisiana.

“We are excited to have an individual like Baxter return to our MEP of Louisiana team.  His history with the MEP National Network, our Center and private industry bring a positive and energized addition to our new partnership model, sharing our goal of providing the best support to the manufacturing community in our state,” said Executive Director of LCTCS MEP of Louisiana Dayna Blanchard.

Saucier offers over 20 years of experience in identifying areas for improvement and developing initiatives that improve operational, organization, and system performance for clients. “It is with great excitement that after 20 years of working in various roles with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana and LCTCS, I will be transitioning to a new position as Operations Director.  This opportunity aligns perfectly with my passion: working with a program that brings great value to the manufacturing industry here in Louisiana.   I am excited to be continuing my involvement with the  team at MEP of Louisiana and look forward to helping to lead and build this organization in reaching new levels of impact and success with Louisiana’s manufacturers,” Baxter said of his appointment.

During his previous employment at several manufacturing companies, he has worked with manufacturers of all sizes to facilitate strategic planning sessions and improvement projects in the gulf region.  As a previous Director of Manufacturing Productivity for the MEP of Louisiana, Baxter has coordinated lean initiatives statewide while delivering lean services and project management, working with small to mid-sized manufacturers to provide business and technology solutions improving productivity and profitability.  Baxter has a Bachelor of Industrial Technology degree from the College of Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He lives in Sunset with his wife and has six children.

About the Louisiana Community and Technical College System
The Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) provides strategic management and support for Louisiana’s 12 community and technical colleges. LCTCS colleges award associates degrees, technical diplomas, and industry-based certificates in programs aligned with business and industry and local economies, which lead students to good in-demand, high-wage jobs.

About the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana (MEPOL) is operated by LCTCS in partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and a national network of Manufacturing Extension Partnerships based in every state. MEPOL provides a full range of services to manufacturers, including growth and cost-reduction strategies, website development and branding, process and quality improvement, engineering and prototyping, facility layout and leadership training. All activities are focused on increasing productivity, profitability and manufacturing success. MEPOL also can connect manufacturers to workforce development services offered by all 12 LCTCS colleges.

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