In the spring of 2011, a few colleagues and myself decided to pursue a dream of starting our own consulting firm. With encouragement from our wives, and the help of a few others, we were able to launch APEX Performance Excellence Group. The firm provides professional consulting to the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industry specializing in process/system design, operationalization of requirements (FDA, ISO, Baldrige, Strategic Plans, etc.) and continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, etc.). One of our stated goals is to “seek those who are as passionate about their work as we are about ours.” I am the Founder and President of APEX.I began my professional career at Baxter Healthcare working in manufacturing at an aseptic filling operation. The various roles that I held during a seven-year period afforded me an unbelievable opportunity to grow and develop what has evolved into a life long passion – getting work done effectively and efficiently through the engagement of people. After a brief role in leadership development, I joined Baxter’s Business Excellence Group. The group provided advanced skills in process/system design, lean, six sigma, green/black belt deployments, and Baldrige based assessments. This opportunity was a job of a lifetime. I spent over eight years with the group harnessing skills around leading large-scale process/system design and continuous improvement efforts. I was given the opportunity to work with every level and every function within the corporation. Over the 18 years I spent at Baxter Healthcare, I held various positions that ran the spectrum of Production Supervisor Levels to Quality Manager Levels to Master Black Belt. I was also able to achieve my master’s degree and obtain multiple certifications and accreditations. The experience at Baxter Healthcare could not have prepared me any better for the next chapter in my life: APEX Performance Excellence Group.