John J. Huber
In 1981, John proudly graduated from the School of Industrial Engineering and Management. This event requires a big shout out to his OSU professors, Dr. Joe Mize, Dr. John Nazemetz, Dr. Scott Sink, Dr. Wayne Turner, Dr. Kenneth Case and Dr. Carl Estes. Upon graduation, Accenture hired John (along with 13 other engineers across the country) to teach the Toyota Production System to North American manufacturing companies. Soon thereafter, Fortsmann/Little, the 2nd largest leveraged buyout firm in the country, recruited John to turnaround their recently acquired companies of ITT. In response, John formed his consulting firm, J Huber & Associates, hiring a number of OSU IE/ME graduates to join him including, Jim Wiederholt, Gary Maxwell, Gary Johnston and John Deming. A successful Lean LBO turnaround requires the elimination of in-process inventory thus freeing up cash to pay off the leveraged debt plus achieving the added benefit of improved quality, customer service and cost performance. Sample clients over the years included Thomas and Betts, Lear Siegler, Pullman Industries, Midas, Safelite Glass, American Electric, BE Aerospace, Reznor HVAC, Rheem Manufacturing, Zebco, Seymour Housewares, Zymtex Biotech and Fintube. After 20 years of success in Lean manufacturing turnaround, John turned his attention to non-profits soon discovering the world of Public Libraries. Over the past 21 years, John has served libraries across North America including The New York Public Library, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, King County (WA) Library System, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library, Ottawa Public Library (Canada), Tulsa City/County Public Library and many, many more. Within the library world, John invented numerous breakthrough Lean concepts including the ‘no-totes’ delivery system and the ‘one and done’ holds process. John is the author of Lean Library Management and The Purpose-Based Library and is a sought after speaker on both the North American and International library stage.
John is a member of Alpha Pi Mu, acquired three US Patents, and enjoys writing, including children books for his kids and grandkids. He is addicted to golf, Yoga, Tai Chi and meditates daily on the blessings in his life, including his wonderful wife Kathy, his four children and his four life-changing grand children.