Re: New Folks - Please Take a Minute and Introduce Yourself / Say Hello!
My name is Howard Houser, but I've been going by Chip for all my life. I was born in Sellersville, PA (Grand View Hospital), raised in the Bloomsburg, PA area, and now live in north-central Pennsylvania (town of Nelson in Tioga County).
I recently was hired as the Quality Manager here at Kennedy Valve in Elmira, NY. My focus is to implement a quality management system here, but until then I just run around and put out "hair fires" all over the plant!
Kennedy Valve has been in the area for 125 years and manufactures fire hydrants and water valves. We have our own foundry, machine shop and assembly area in-house.
Prior to coming to Kennedy Valve I worked at Lockheed Martin as an Inspection Supervisor for 16 months, at OSRAM Sylvania as a Production Supervisor for 13 months, and at Schweizer Aircraft as an Inspection Supervisor for 4 years. Prior to all that, I served in the United States Marine Corps for 20 years. While there I was a CH-46 helicopter mechanic and crewchief. I also ran a Planned Maintenance Department, Flight Line, and Quality Assurance Department. And for three years I was a Detachment Commander in charge of Marines at two American Embassies in Rangoon, Burma and Vienna, Austria.
I like to hunt, fish, play golf and read (John Jakes is a favorite). I play bass guitar and am a progressive rocker from the 70s! You'll find me listening to bands like Rush, Pink Floyd, Yes, ELP, Led Zepplin, etc... most of the time.
If I have a pet peeve in quality it is the "it's good enough" attitude that most everyone has. If the part had a print drawn for it, then follow the print! I don't care if it's a part for an F-22 or an ashtray. Aim for nominal and be mindful of your tolerances.
