Advisory Board

Our Advisory Board is critical to the success of KCMN. They lead KCMN using their extensive experience to direct programming, recommend meeting topics and subgroup ideas and ensure KCMN remains relevant and connected to the greater manufacturing community.

Bert Benton, Chief Operating Officer; SOR Controls

Bert Benton is currently Chief Operating Officer for SOR Controls Group and is an adjunct professor with Johnson County Community College.

Prior to his current position he was CEO for Kustom Signals and prior to that he held various operational leadership roles with Thales, Honeywell, and L3Harris Corporation. In addition Bert is a member of the advisory board for the Kansas City Manufactures Network.

He holds a MSIE and BISYE from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Dusty Cruise, President & CEO; Missouri Enterprise

Dusty has served as President and CEO of KCMN's partner organization, Missouri Enterprise since 2009. He provides direction and leadership toward the achievement of the organization's mission, vision, strategy and annual goals and objectives.

Prior to his role with Missouri Enterprise, Dusty held various operational roles in a variety of manufacturing organizations. He holds a BS, Industrial Management Comprehensive from Missouri State University and has served as Missouri Quality Award Examiner.

Dusty is an alum of Missouri State University where he acquired a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management and mini MBA.

John Kusek, Retired; DIT-MCO

John recently retired from his role as CEO of DIT-MCO International in Kansas City, MO and is enjoying this new phase of life. Prior to his role with DIT-MCO, John served as CEO of Code 3, Inc. and Public Safety Equipment, Inc. and as Chairman of Kustom Signal.

John holds a BSES, Engineering from Rockhurst University, MSEE, Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia and MBA, Business from Rockhurst, University.

Rachel Lindsay-Elston, Vice President; Lindsay Machine Works, Inc.

Donna Porch, Mid-America TAAC

Brady Poskin, Plant Manager; PRIER Products

Danica Rome, Kansas Manufacturing Solutions

Tiffany Stovall, Kansas Manufacturing Soltuions

Tiffany is the President & CEO of Kansas Manufacturing Solutions where she works to supply solutions that meet the evolving needs of Kansas manufacturers. She is on the Executive Committee of the Wyandotte Economic Development Board and is a member of the Kansas City Kansas Community College Workforce and Entrepreneurship Board.

A proud graduate of the University of Missouri, Tiffany still happily cheers for Kansas Colleges and Universities.

Chris Vering, Knit-Rite

Matt Wrye, Manufacturing Operations Manger; Hallmark Cards

Matt is the Manufacturing Operations Manager for Hallmark Cards. He is a results-driven engineer with over 20 years experience in Lean Continuous Improvement Implementation & Coaching, Business Strategy Implementation and Project Management. He has been part of the Hallmark team in various roles since 2008.

Matt holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and is a dedicated Lean Practitioner.

Ben Troja, National Standards Manager; Rehric Pacific

Ben Troja is the National Standards Manager at Rehrig Pacific Company in De Soto, KS and 12 year KCMN Advisory Board member. Ben draws from his experiences supporting manufacturing operations in various supervisory, managerial, and administrative roles throughout his career.

As an NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) alumni, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and former certified ISO 2001:2015 Lead Auditor, Ben utilizes his experience and skills in Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Process Improvement, and Quality Assurance to continuously improve himself and the people and processes around him.

Advisory Board

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