About Al Wick

My background is Quality Assurance Management. I spent most of my work career in this field. I was fortunate to have open minded supervisors, so I spent my time pursuing those things that piqued my interest. I was involved with all manner of things, many only remotely related to my occupation. Writing code, automation programming, mechanical testing.  Mainly I pursued the causes for manufacturing errors. Like no one else I gathered facts that described the multiple causes. Explored new methods of experimenting, like Taguchi DOE. I’ve always been fascinated by failure patterns. The many causes, the multiple root systemic causes that keep repeating. Later I pursued the patterns to success. What about the system led to this working so well?  After 14 years in the field, I finally entered management. 

Managing Quality Assurance gave me the control to test my theories on finding permanent solutions. I would implement a solution, then measure how often the failure recurred. New solution, re-measure. All three of the companies I managed outperformed all of their competition. We received all manner of awards and recognition. I used these same tools to retire in 1997 at the age of 45. I don’t live a luxurious lifestyle, but enjoy myself. I was a bit of a workaholic, and this was a way to force myself to pursue the other side of life. I now spend my time volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and…..my passion….building and experimenting with aircraft.

Divorced after 30 years. Proud of my two successful adult children, Chris and Allison, and new grandchild, Evan. Greatly enjoy travelling and exploring this little planet.