Bill Ball Email and Phone Number

Writing fiction novels

Author of post apocalyptic fiction. Big news! My first solo novel "Dead vs Alive: Game On" has been released. The book is available on Amazon. It is set in central Michigan near the small town I grew up in and it follows the efforts of the local National Guard unit and Sheriff's Department to fight and survive in the Zombie Apocalypse. I hope you enjoy it.My book with co-author Paul Mannering was published as "Dead! Dead! Dead!" in the spring of 2015. The book did very well in some segments and the publisher, Permuted Press, has decided to make a major investment in the project. The book will be retitled as "Apocalypse Recon: Outbreak" with a re-release in the spring of 2016 with a contract for book two to follow in the same year; an option for book three is contingent on sales. We will be marketed in military and post apocalyptic sci-fi and Simon and Schuster will be distributing the book to book stores along with our electronic offerings.In addition I "beta read" for some very successful authors which means I read the book prior to release and offer input on every facet. It is rewarding to help people you know and respect; plus when you see your input in the final printed copy you know they respect you enough to use your input. Helping good people succeed is inspiring. This has been very rewarding so far and I plan to continue as I move on to more formal professional work. An active creative mind is an asset to any company.

*Responsible for evaluating existing processes and configuring manufacturing systems to reduce cost, improve sustainability and develop best practices within the production process*Evaluate and improve on processes in manufacturing systems.*Maintain reliable and safe manufacturing systems while improving production rates, efficiencies, yields, costs and changeovers.*Develop innovative solutions.*Use accepted Lean Six Sigma tools and practices to enhance the manufacturing process*Improve process capability and production volume while maintaining and improving quality standards.*Prepare samples for study.*Perform product features testing.*Collect, record, and transcribe data.*Show results in reports.*Maintain testing equipment.*Perform new and raw material testing.*Develop and implement systems that optimize all phases of production process.*Provide suggestions during incident investigations.*Advise on corrective actions.*Work with equipment designers and manufacturing supervisors to develop a cost-effective and working production process.*Ensure projects are completed on time.*Ensure financial budgets are followed.*Research and purchase new manufacturing technology.*Effectively manage large amounts of incoming calls, emails, and faxes.*Listen and respond to Departmental Head’s needs and concerns promptly and professionally.*Review or make changes to existing process documents and SOPs.*Provide appropriate solutions and alternatives with appropriate follow up to ensure resolution. *Build sustainable relationships of trust through open and interactive communication.*Assist manufacturing supervisors in meeting production goals & targets.

Responsible for schools program, travel orders, and payroll for Recruiting and Retention Command, Michigan Army National Guard. Planning and execution of special events.

Manufacturing Engineer - Klein Plastics- A Division of Klein Tools until the plant closed..Responsible for Operation, Maintenance, Training, and Innovation for automated fish tape manufacturing cells.Provide Engineering support in the areas of manufacturing processes, systems, procedures, equipment, tooling, and facilities. Manage engineering assignments and projects with multiple internal and external partners.Utilize problem solving skills to analyze manufacturing difficulties and define corrective actions.Design, document, and implement manufacturing processes to improve process capability, reliability, consistency, and throughput.Participate in operational and financial analysis to recommend the purchase of new tooling and equipment to provide improved manufacturing processes.Analyze processes to improve first time quality and reduction of rework.Develop methods of operation to increase productivity.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:'Serving as the leader at over warehouse operations and staff in a 24 X 7 operation'Ensuring warehouse key performance indicators (KPIs) are met or exceeded'Reviewing daily achievement of targets and reporting variances during on-the-floor and debrief meetings'Driving inventory accuracy results'Coaching, mentoring and developing team members to meet current and future business requirements'Facilitating seamless handoffs and communicating key information to peers, team members and management'Understanding internal and external regulations, procedures & policies and apply them fairly and consistently'Maintaining contingency plans for time sensitive operations (unscheduled absentees, equipment issues, system or process malfunctions, inventory exceptions)'Driving departmental results using the Nestle Continuous Excellence (NCE) process'Ensuring complete compliance to prescribed GMP's and internal NESTEC standards

Responsible for planning, resourcing, and executing training for 116 man Artillery Battery. This was a dual status job consisting of training and administrative positions.  Training: Responsible for long and short range planning, resourcing, and executing all necessary tasks to keep 116 soldiers in 8 different specialties proficient and qualified in their respective military occupational specialty. Ensuring the safety and accountability of soldiers and equipment during hazardous operations in the field. Administrative: Responsible for assessing and reporting unit readiness. Administering personnel files including medical, dental, legal, and training. Also, scheduling and administering military schools and civilian education benefits.

Setup, operate, troubleshoot, and repair automated equipment on a production line. Equipment included hydraulic presses up to 250 tons, die sets, pick off machines, electric and pneumatic systems on the pick off machines. exit conveyors, and valve rebuilds. This included rotation through quality control where we tested the magnetic properties of our raw material and magnets using an x ray spectrometer, hysteresis graphing, and mole ratios.

Led a fire team of Airborne Infantryman in patrolling, marksmanship, professional development, and defense of the nation. Our primary mission was to "close with and destroy the enemy by means of individual movement techniques and small arms fire". I was lucky enough to be assigned to America's premier light Infantry division: the 82nd Airborne Division. We were capable of deploying anywhere in the world within 18 hours of the Presidents call. Airborne, All The Way!