Company: PACCAR
Company Division/Group: Paccar Technical Center
Company Description: PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality, light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt, DAF and Foden nameplates. It also provides financial services and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Technician

Nomination Title: Kevin Allen, Sr. Electrical Validation Specialist

   1. Tell the story about what this nominee achieved in 2004 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Since joining the PACCAR Technical Center (PTC), Kevin has developed a
reputation as a technician who does the job right the first time, even when
provided with limited information.  His reputation for professionalism is widely
recognized by engineers, management, and suppliers alike.  The high quality of Kevin’s work is attributed to his ability to root out weaknesses, research information, and work towards solutions, all while working with a diverse team of professionals.  In addition, Kevin quickly masters new skills.  A few of which are: electromagnetic testing, infrared testing, highly accelerated life testing (HALT), and truck electrical transient tests (TESLA).  Infrequently does a technician  become proficient in two or more disciplines nor obtain the breadth in non-technical areas as demonstrated by Kevin.

An additional asset is Kevin’s ability to complete complex projects normally
managed by more senior engineers.  He was assigned to a critical project involving
seven federally regulated functions, to be implemented by two divisions, installed
on 80% of delivered product, and produced by a new supplier.  There were multiple issues prior to launch, all of which Kevin managed.  Leadership changes required Kevin to take the helm of a team in excess of 15 members resulting in him
navigating this project through rigorous testing, implementing production process
improvements, and corporate specification development.  The validation completed
on time to meet production launch needs thanks to his efforts.

Kevin’s communication skills are outstanding as evidenced by his role as the PTC
work coordination meeting lead.  He provides weekly updates to the engineering
center staff. He demonstrates strong written communications in the completion of
Global Corporate Standards, Engineering Test Practices, and ISO work
instructions. He proposed and gained approval for PACCAR’s first HALT chamber with expected test savings of $116,000 per year.

Kevin’s capabilities extend beyond the technical into project management and
quality control.  He is one of six employees to complete a Project Management
Undergraduate Certificate.  Kevin established high levels of credibility as a
project manager while working with PACCAR and supplier engineers.  He provided project plans and coordinated product design reviews with high levels of professionalism.

Kevin is the only technician at PTC to complete the Six Sigma Quality Blackbelt
training, which is considered demanding even by engineers due to complex
algorithms and design processes.  Representative Six Sigma projects
implemented by Kevin include: streamlining the supply ordering process, saving
$20,000 per year, simplifying contractor time accounting, saving  $3000 per year,
and increasing instrumentation efficiency. .

Kevin is actively involved in his community. He volunteered to share technical
expertise with the next generation by providing facility tours and helping with
class projects.  Specifically, he volunteered for SAE World Science fair by contributing time and resources for the “World in Motion” classroom science projects.

With his unique combination of project management skills, technical expertise,
Six Sigma skills, and professionalism, Kevin is an asset to PACCAR and
positively impacts product quality delivered throughout North America.

   2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: List each link on a separate line, begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.website.com]:

Additional information about PACCAR and its product quality, as evidenced by
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction awards, is provided by  the following links.

http://www.jdpower.com/awards/industry/pressrelease.asp?StudyID=764

http://www.jdpower.com/awards/industry/winners.asp?StudyID=764

http://www.jdpower.com/awards/industry/winners.asp?StudyID=881

http://www.jdpower.com/awards/industry/winners.asp?StudyID=962

http://www.jdpower.com/awards/industry/winners.asp?StudyID=693

http://www.jdpower.com/awards/industry/winners.asp?StudyID=627

http://www.jdpower.com/awards/industry/winners.asp?StudyID=472

http://www.jdpower.com/awards/industry/pressrelease.asp?StudyID=693

   3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about this nominee:

As a resident of Mt. Vernon’s rural farming community, Kevin was motivate to
complete an associate degree in Electronics Technology.  His first employment
was as a specialist technician installing communications equipment on
commercial and law enforcement vehicles.  He developed a reputation for quality
and expertise in radios, antennas, cell phones, and communications, which is
desirable at PACCAR’s Technology Center located in Mount Vernon.,
Washington.  Kevin joined PACCAR in 1997 as an electronic test technician
whose initial responsibilities included testing new component designs.  He quickly
gained skills in complex areas such as electromagnetic compliance validation,
communications, quality improvement, and project management.