✕

Denise Hall is the president and CEO of Peak Performance, which is a workforce training and consulting firm helping manufacturers achieve operational excellence. Peak Performance also operates the U.S. Smart Manufacturing Institute, which is part of a global network of institutes. She sat down with Michelle Bangert at the MAX Show in Nashville.

Michelle: So, to start off with, could you tell us a little bit about how you got into manufacturing?

Denise: Yes, of course. I love this story. I am an electrical engineer, but I had a mentor growing up. It was my aunt. She kind of was a trailblazer in her time when she was going through her career. And she really mentored me along the way and encouraged me to get into engineering.

And I actually worked for a company that we were an original equipment manufacturer. And I was designing the PLC for the equipment. And we went to a manufacturer to install the piece of equipment. And as soon as I walked in through the doors, I thought, this is where I need to be.

And so, I didn't work in that job very long, maybe just a year. And then I started working for Corning Incorporated. And then I spent over 26 years working for Corning.

Michelle: Oh, wow. What a great match to find, like, oh, this is what I want to do and where I want to be.

Denise: Yeah. I did engineering and production roles back and forth until I was a plant manager and was able to manage some plants. And then I also was director of worldwide manufacturing effectiveness because we had some plants in China, so I would oversee those, too. But I've worked in facilities in Pennsylvania, New York, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Michelle: Wow, what a range. That's great. So welcome back to Tennessee then.