Alumnus named '2006 Industrial Scientist' at annual meeting of Tennessee Academy of Science
During the 116th annual meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science (TAS), held this
year at Austin Peay State University, an APSU alumnus was honored as recipient of
the 2006 Industrial Scientist Award for his exemplary work at Trane Commercial Systems,
a division of American Standard.
During the 116th annual meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science (TAS), held this
year at Austin Peay State University, an APSU alumnus was honored as recipient of
the 2006 Industrial Scientist Award for his exemplary work at Trane Commercial Systems,
a division of American Standard.
Barry Kulback, Clarksville, was chosen for the honor by the TAS Industrial Scientist
Award Committee, chaired by Dr. Chin-Zue Chen, professor of engineering technology.
Although TAS meets yearly, the Industrial Scientist Award is not an annual award.
It is presented only when someone especially meritorious, such as Kulback, has been
nominated.
A 1979 graduate of APSU, Kulback earned a bachelor's degree in physics with dual minors
in mathematics and computer science.
He has been employed with Trane since his graduation, initally working in information
technology, where he has held myriad positions from programmer and analyst to project
leader to project team manager.
During that time, Kulback was involved in strategic company initiatives and development
of software applications to support them. Some of the initiatives were migrated to
Just-In-Time manufacturing, resulting in higher production efficiency and lower inventory
burden. His team developed Demand Based Management software, which was used by all
three divisions of American Standard. This software was granted four U.S. patents.
Seven years ago, Kulback elected to change career paths, entering the Six Sigma program.
Today, his job title at Trane is Sigma Six Master Black Belt.
Chen said, 鈥淯.S. industries have been concentrating on improving manufacturing qualities
in recent years to ensure world-class products. About seven years ago, Mr. Kulback
shifted his role to implement Six Sigma methodology to drive manufacturing process
improvements and assure the company's product quality.鈥
The first year Kulback led Quality and Productivity/Process Improvement Projects,
his efforts resulted in more than $1.8 million in annualized bottom-line savings for
the company.
Kulback further expanded his role to lead global Six Sigma deployment initiatives
in project tracking and training material development. He has conducted training
for more than 650 associates in 11 domestic and global locations, thereby delivering
more than $25 million in year-over-year bottom-line savings.
Currently, Kulback is leading a global effort to establish a new Global IT Strategy
for Trane Commercial Systems.
Kulback continues to be active in the community and with the APSU National Alumni
Association. He is president of Eta Xi Sigma Chi Corp., a non-profit group working
to secure housing for the Eta Xi Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity at APSU.
APSU Homecoming chair in 2005 and a member of the APSU Govs Club, Kulback has been
past president, past treasurer and past membership chair of the Trane Support Group
Alumni Chapter of APSU. This group has raised and donated more than $350,000 to APSU
and, in so doing, has endowed seven permanent four-year scholarships.
For more information, contact Chen by telephone at (931) 221-1472 or by e-mail at
chenc@apsu.edu. -- Dennie B. Burke