TOLEDO, Ohio, October 17, 2024 – SSOE Group (www.ssoe.com), an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm, announces its sponsorship of the 26th annual Lean Construction Institute (LCI) Congress. Over a dozen of its Lean project delivery experts will attend, and one will present at the event on October 22nd – 25th at the San Diego Town and Country Resort in California.
Leaning into Learning
LCI Congress brings together owners, members of the design community, general contractors, trade partners, and other Lean professionals to collaborate, network, learn, and share both success stories and challenges. As a Deluxe Sponsor, SSOE is supporting Learning Day at Congress on Tuesday, October 22nd. Attendees will take a deep dive into the latest Lean topics at fundamental, intermediate, or experienced levels while connecting with the Lean community during hands-on courses.
On Thursday, October 24th, Project Manager / Mechanical Engineering Monica Steele will serve as one of five panelists engaging in a discussion on the topic “We Have a Design Manager, Now What?” at 9:30 a.m. (PDT). In this session, participants will hear and learn about the role and value of a design manager, how Lean practices can help individuals in this role, why a design manager is necessary in addition to a project manager, as well as cautionary tales from the panelists. This encore panel session was first unveiled at the LCI Design Forum in May and returned due to popular demand.
Steele performs several different functions within SSOE, including mechanical process engineering and, most recently, serving as Design Manager / Area Coordinator on several projects. In this role, she is responsible for managing design teams from Front End Loading (FEL) through detailed design and construction. Steele collaborates with clients throughout project phases, managing changes and striving to meet the client’s schedule and budget.
Lean Thought Leadership
Over a dozen employees from various levels of the organization will also be in attendance—including SSOE President Catherine Myers, PE, who has served on the LCI Board of Directors since 2022, currently in the role of Board Chair, and has contributed to research on Lean strategies presented at both the Construction Industry Institute and the Construction Management Association of America’s national conferences.
Additionally, William Kussro, PE, SE, P. Eng, Vice President, Engineering and Design, will be in attendance to gain additional insight and knowledge as he prepares to step into the role of executive sponsor of the firm’s Lean Community of Practice in place of Myers in the near future.
Kussro commented, “I am deeply passionate about driving continuous improvement and operational excellence. Building upon Cathy’s successful achievements, I will continue to guide our firm in streamlining processes, enhancing collaboration, and delivering unparalleled value to our clients utilizing Lean principles. In addition, we will continue to elevate our Lean practices, fostering a culture of innovation and efficiency that sets us apart in the AEC industry.”
An LCI member since 2015, SSOE leverages Lean tools and strategies with the goal of defining and delivering a collective vision of success on projects by eliminating waste, compressing schedules, lowering costs, and improving satisfaction. For nearly a decade, SSOE has maintained a corporate partnership with LCI to align with the firm’s efforts to advance Lean principles as the cornerstone of its culture and organizational strategy.
Today, the firm continues to evolve its Lean Operating Strategy initiative through its Lean Community of Practice, with several years spent training and mentoring in a way that supports SSOE’s focus on the voice of the client while furthering employees’ knowledge base and understanding of Lean.
For more information about LCI Congress, click here.
