Mark Paradies, President
Mark Paradies is a founder of System Improvements.
Mark Paradies brings knowledge of human factors, equipment reliability, and high-reliability organizations to the field of root cause analysis. After receiving a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Mark served in Admiral Rickover’s Nuclear Navy, where he received NAVSEA 08’s Engineer Certification, learned Rickover’s equipment reliability best practices, and participated in Rickover’s culture of operational excellence. Mark then studied Human Factors at the University of Illinois while completing a Master’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering. Mark was the 85th person to achieve certification as a Certified Professional Ergonomist (Human Factors) by the BPCE.
Mark brought this knowledge of operation excellence, human factors, and equipment reliability to the development of effective root cause analysis practices while working at Du Pont. His work there led him to start System Improvements and bring advanced root cause analysis concepts to the world.
Mark’s understanding of human factor concepts is foundational to TapRooT® RCA. He incorporated advanced human performance technology into the TapRooT® System without complicated Ph.D. jargon so managers, supervisors, engineers, and shop floor personnel can effectively solve problems.
With the development of TapRooT® RCA, Mark, and TapRooT® RCA co-developer Linda Unger have changed the way the world solves problems through advanced root cause analysis tools, training, and software, assisting in designing and improving performance improvement programs and in investigating the root causes of accidents, sentinel events, equipment failures, and quality issues. Mark has taught thousands of students around the world in a variety of industries, including oil exploration and production, refining, chemicals, plastics, and petrochemicals; mining, metals, and fertilizer; utilities, airlines, shipping, railroads, and light rail; pharmaceutical and consumer products; and manufacturing, telecommunications, network reliability, and government.
Connect with Mark or read his blog posts.
Linda Unger, Vice President
Linda Unger is a Founder of System Improvements.
Linda Unger, co-developer of the TapRooT® System, has a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and Human Factors training from the University of Michigan. She gained experience investigating incidents as a field engineer at Du Pont. She then joined System Improvements to create the TapRooT® System and change the way the world solves problems. Linda is the co-author of the TapRooT® Books.
Linda is currently semi-retired but still participates in license negotiations and the TapRooT® Summit.
Connect with Linda.
Amy Souders, Vice President and Director of Licensing
Amy Souders brings over 20 years of experience in the private business sector before joining System Improvements in 2022. Her experience includes corporate management as a Vice President, team-building, and strategic initiative implementation. Amy has a B.S. in Business Administration from the College of Charleston.
At System Improvements, Amy is an instructor, manages the licensing of the TapRooT® Software, and helps clients develop and implement Roadmaps to Success.
Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.
Alexander Paradies, Vice President, Director of Projects and Innovation, and Instructor
Alex Paradies is responsible for new product development and continuous improvement of the TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis System. He helps clients learn how to maximize their use of TapRooT® RCA as an investigative and predictive methodology and helps clients develop Roadmaps to Success.
Alex came on board full-time in 2019. He brings with him over six years of leadership experience at The Timken Company, where he skillfully managed over 100 workers in a competitive industrial environment. His background also includes experience as an Industrial Engineering Manager, Senior Lean Engineer, Reliability Intern at Novelis, and an undergraduate researcher at the University of Tennessee.
Alex has a B.S. in Material Science and Engineering and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. He also completed human factors training at the University of Michigan.
His sights are set “firmly on safety—bringing continuous improvement to manufacturing, logistics, operations, and quality.”
Connect with Alex or read his blog posts.
Ken Reed, Vice President
Ken Reed’s expertise covers a wide range of topics, with a particular emphasis on equipment failure analysis and high-reliability operations. Ken’s 21 years in Admiral Rickover’s Nuclear Navy (serving on board fast attack, ballistic missile, and research submarines) helped him understand the secrets of achieving high-reliability operation and exceptional equipment reliability. Ken has a B.S. in Electronics Management from Southern Illinois University.
At System Improvements, Ken is responsible for instructor certification, working with over 60 TapRooT® Instructors worldwide.
Ken has also trained thousands of people worldwide to use the TapRooT® System to analyze safety, quality, equipment failure, and environmental incidents. As a TapRooT® Expert, Ken has worked with numerous companies to analyze their safety and equipment reliability improvement needs and develop road maps to achieve excellence.
Connect with Ken or read his blog posts.
Dan Verlinde, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Dan Verlinde joined System Improvements in 2006. Before that, Dan was a business systems analyst for an international third-party certification company, overseeing the implementation, development, and support of business software used for performing audits to international standards. Along with his education at the University of Michigan, Dan has had formal training in SQL, Crystal, Software Administration, Human Factors, and Lean principles.
Dan is a TapRooT® Instructor and brings all his expertise to TapRooT® Software development and technical support, as well as leading the support of all IT operations at System Improvements.
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Marcus Miller, Vice President of Business Development
Marcus Miller is a TapRooT® Instructor who teaches various industries to apply root cause analysis reactively and proactively. He leads System Improvement efforts to bring advanced root cause analysis to the healthcare industry, including developing the TapRooT® Patient Safety Root Cause Analysis Training and working with healthcare systems to implement TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis.
Marcus has a strong background in both operations and business development. He served as the VP of Operations in the healthcare industry and has extensive training in client/employee engagement and management/leadership philosophies. Marcus helps clients design plans to improve performance by implementing TapRooT® RCA as part of continuous improvement programs. He is passionate about client success and building partnerships that exceed goals and achieve lasting financial and operational success.
Marcus has a B.S. in Athletic Training from Lincoln Memorial University and is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. Marcus also has received training in Human Factors from the University of Michigan.
Connect with Marcus or read his blog posts.
Barbara Carr, Editorial Director & Instructor
Barb Carr joined System Improvements in 2006 and is the Editorial Director and a TapRooT® Instructor. She plays a major role in the development of all of the current evidence collection TapRooT® Training (in-person, virtual, and self-guided) and is the co-author with Mark Paradies of the TapRooT® Evidence Collection and Interviewing Techniques to Sharpen Investigation Skills Book (2017). She also develops content for the TapRooT® Training Pathways.
Barb has an extensive background in the legal industry and trained with the National Forensic Science Technology Center. She has completed human factors training at the University of Michigan, has a B.S. in Psychology, and is a Certified Professional Coach.
Connect with Barb or read her blog posts.
Tim Diggs, Strategic Advisor & Instructor
As a strategic advisor, Tim Diggs empowers his clients to move forward effectively with his contagious “going above and beyond” attitude. As an instructor, he skillfully builds camaraderie in the classroom to create an impactful learning environment.
Tim has used TapRooT® since 1996 to solve productivity and quality problems and joined the System Improvements in 2019. He feels excited to be “entrusted with teaching TapRooT® RCA and carrying it forward.” Before joining System Improvements, he worked for 23 years in the transportation industry, developing new processes, evaluating and improving existing operational processes, deploying new systems, and delivering training to operations personnel. Tim has a B.A. in Economics and a minor in Business Management from the University of Tennessee.
Connect with Tim or read his blog posts.
Justin Clark, Strategic Advisor & Instructor
Justin Clark draws on 10 years of experience as a US Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer. He runs the Equifactor® Equipment Troubleshooting development and training, leveraging extensive leadership and management from equipment and systems operations, reliability, and maintenance. He is also a TapRooT® Instructor and helps clients develop Roadmaps to Success.
He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University and achieved NAVSEA 08’s Engineer Certification while in the Nuclear Navy.
Connect with Justin or read his blog posts.