Gerard has over 40 years of experience leading executive and management development initiatives in both large and small organizations, focusing specifically on organizational performance improvement processes. He has primarily worked in the healthcare industry but has also spent a quarter of his career in manufacturing and service industries. He specializes in executive and management development, process improvement, and the use of lean methodologies to bring about significant and measurable organizational improvement.

Prior to his 23-year tenure with ThedaCare, Gerard served as vice president and director of organizational development of Northern Michigan Hospitals in Petoskey, Michigan. Before joining NMH, he was creative manager for quality systems for Sandy Corporation in Troy, Michigan, one of the largest training and consulting firms in the Midwest. With Sandy, he consulted with major clients such as The Burroughs Corporation, IBM, General Motors, and Hyatt Hotels Corporation on systemic leadership development and quality improvement projects. He also spent three years as management development specialist for Gulf & Western Manufacturing Corporation, a Fortune 100 company.

Roger Gerard earned his PhD in management and applied decision sciences from Walden University. He has presented at numerous national conferences and served as chair of the HealthCare Track at the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME). He is a member of the American Society for Quality, the Society for Human Resources Management, and the Organizational Development Network.

Dr. Gerard has three adult daughters and, among them, six grandchildren. Additionally, he and his wife Debra have a 15-year-old son, Avery, whose job it is to keep his parents awake and alert at all hours of the day and night. He and Debra also own their own creative photography and illustration business. Read Less ^