Who We Are
Hello!
At NSI Engineering, we believe a happy workplace starts with a happy process, and a happy process is built through an engaged team that understands the importance of systems-based thinking and risk-based analysis.
With an emphasis on organizational change management, risk-based thinking, and continuous improvement, we work not only to improve upon a process, but to help our partners build leadership skills, communication skills, systems thinking and engagement within their teams.
We Value
Happiness
Loyalty
Compassion
Resilience
Responsibility
Balance
Testimonials
Helping Make the World a Better Place Since 2004
Founded in 2004 on principles developed through 20 years of research in the areas of Organizational Development, Continuous Improvement and Quality Management, NSI Engineering delivers world class quality management services supporting all industries. Comprised of professionals with a wealth of real-world problem solving experience, we have direct experience partnering and collaborating with organization leaders and project managers to make the world a happier place.
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Our Team
We’re a cohesive team of dedicated individuals who view every obstacle as a chance for growth. It’s not just about enhancing processes; it’s about fostering leadership, communication, strategic thinking, and team engagement along the way.
Laura Uden
President, CEO, and Consultant
Qualifications
- PhD Management, University of Salford
- MS Systems Engineering, San Jose State University
- CSEP
- CMQ/OE
- PMP
- 20 years hands-on experience as a rail transit and heavy civil design and construction QA Oversight Manager and QA Manager on Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, and Progressive Design-Build projects totaling over $60B in value
- Managed teams of auditors working on California High Speed Rail, Sound Transit Link Extensions, BART Train Controls Modernization Program, and BART Extensions to San Francisco Airport, Warm Springs, and Silicon Valley
- Developed and implemented ISO-compliant Quality Assurance Program Plans and Quality Management Systems, as well as procedures for Design and Construction Quality Control, Quality Management, and Quality Assurance
- Developed and provided QA and QC training to dozens of design engineering firms
- Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), and Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Taught university graduate and undergraduate courses in systems engineering and quality improvement at San Jose State University, the International Technological University, Silicon Valley University, Peking and Tsinghua Universities
John Wyatt
Senior Quality Professional
Qualifications
- BS Engineering Technology, Western Kentucky University
- Professional Engineer
- ASQ Certified Quality Auditor
- Member, American Society for Quality
- Member, American Society of Civil Engineers
- 15 years’ experience establishing and implementing quality management programs compliant to ISO 9001, Quality management systems - Requirements, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration, and agency requirements. Quality implementation activities and accomplishments include writing quality plans and establishing quality programs, Quality Assurance (QA)/Quality Control (QC) application and oversight, quality training, auditing and surveillances, and championing a culture of quality, leadership, continuous improvement, and best practices.
- Over 35 years’ civil engineering and management experience for all phases of project development, design, post-design services, and construction, including on major, complex projects. Experience includes preparing and managing development of design, estimates, technical specifications, and reports for transit, rail, highway, roadway, airport, and seaport projects, with a focus on quality.
- Developed and applied innovative methodologies for achieving efficient and effective solutions in the health, safety, quality, and risk management fields. Strengths include critical thinking to inform decision making, process development and simplification, extensive technical skills, complex problem solving, management of teams, and strong writing and communication skills. Takes personal responsibility for work and is a strong proponent of safety and quality at all organizational levels.
Sean O'Hara
Quality Professional / Systems Administrator
Qalifications
- BS Information Systems
- 10 years Experience in Scrum and Agile software development processes as a Certified Scrum Master, focusing on delivering products that meet customer requirements.
- 24 years experience in driving diverse international project teams towards meeting complex organizational objectives for hardware and software development.
- 24 years experience product development and requirements management, focusing on software, firmware, and operating system inspection and testing against requirements.
- 30 years experience in continuous process improvement and ISO 9001 Quality Management System compliance. Continuously improved inspection and testing and customer requirement gathering processes.
- United States Marine Corps 1988-1994
Declan O'Hara
Software Systems Integration Engineer
Qualifications
- MS Electrical Computer Engineering, Oregon State University
- BS Electrical Computer Engineering, Oregon State University
- Develop procedures to maintain and administer SharePoint environments, including daily monitoring, and troubleshooting.
- Collaborate with clients to get the requirements and providing business solutions.
- Design, verify and validate Microsoft Power Automate workflows.
- Develop and implement Microsoft Power Apps applications to meet customers' needs.
- Communicate effectively both in written and verbal formats.
- Write python automation scripts for data management.
Carrie Cabak
CFO & Managing Consultant
Qualifications
- MBA Willamette University
- MS Quality Assurance, San Jose State
- BS Mechanical Engineering & Technology, California Polytechnic State University
- Senior member, American Society for Quality
- Member of Technical Advisory Committee 176 (ISO 9001) - 2023
- Member, International Council on Systems Engineering; Presenter at 2023 INCOSE Annual Symposium
- RAB/ANAB Registered Lead Auditor, 1990 – 2005
- ASQ Lead Auditor 1991-2003
- BSI Lead Auditor Certification – 1990
- Engineering-In-Training Certification, California, 1985 (No expiration)
- Member, Project Management Institute, Willamette Valley
Ben Pierce
Accountant / Quality Professional
Qualifications
- BS Finance, Portland State University
- BS Marketing, Portland State University
- BS Economics, Portland State University
- Specialization in Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and forensic analytics
- Experience with predictive models to analyze performance against competitive entities
- QuickBooks
- Experience in marketing simulations to identify and analyze impact of potential strategies for increasing exposure to a company website
Mark Schneider
Quality Professional
Qualifications
- BS Business Finance, Corban University
- 27 years experience in high tech at an ISO 9001:2015 Registered Firm responsible for infrastructure asset management.
- 10 years as Construction Project Manager ensuring QA/QC principles and practices were developed and followed.
Abraham van Niekerk
Quality Professional
Qualifications
- 5 years experience planning, leading, and reporting on internal audits of AS9100 compliant Quality Management System.
- 5 years experience in Scrum and Agile processes, focusing on delivering IT solutions to established service levels.
- 15 years experience infrastructure design and requirements management, focusing on software, hardware, networking, and system level interactions.
- 15 years experience in continuous process improvement and ISO 9001 Quality Management System compliance. Continuously improved inspection and testing and customer requirement gathering processes.
Eric Satrum
Quality Professional
Qualifications
- MBA Willamette University
- US Army 1996-2004
- Quality Ambassador and Quality Coach
- 4 years experience supporting and leading quality management activities on public transit projects; designing and implementing agency-compliant plans and procedures, planning and conducting multi-level audits and assessments; designing and implementing continuous improvement efforts including lessons learned activities and responses to nonconformances and corrective action requests; developing and implementing quality management training programs; evaluating compliance of management plans to ISO 9001:2015 and 2019 FTA QMS Guidelines.
- 17 years experience with ISO9001 registered Quality Management Systems focusing on auditing, quality training, and championing continuous improvement and lessons learned initiatives.
- 10 years experience driving diverse project teams towards meeting complex organizational objectives for aviation product development, avionics retrofit installations, and continuous improvement.
- 10 years experience in installation and maintenance of complex avionic systems, managing parts inventories, and complying with Federal Aviation Administration standards in a Repair Station.
- Member, American Society for Quality
- Member, Project Management Institute, Willamette Valley
- Member, International Council on Systems Engineering
Brian Pierce
Senior Quality Professional
Qualifications
- BS Mechanical Engineering, Oregon State University
- 2 years’ experience residential design, construction coordination and owner’s oversight.
- 15 years’ experience strategic planning, staffing and management.
- 18 years’ experience leadership, personnel development, and technical supervision.
- 19 years’ experience in project management including Phase Gate, Waterfall, Agile, Agile for Hardware, Certified Product Owner and Scrum Master.
- 32 years’ experience in continuous process improvement, ISO9001/AS9100/QS9000 Quality Management System compliance and internal auditing.
- 32 years’ experience in new product development, requirements management, product certification and risk mitigation.
Russ Winchester
Risk Professional
Qualifications
- BS Information Systems
- 10 years experience leading, developing, and delivering New Product Training to an international audience, process change management, and implementing/developing warranty and support strategies.
- 15 years experience in driving cross-functional project teams toward meeting organizational financial and timeline objectives.
- 25 years experience in product service management and requirements management, focusing on Lean Six Sigma support processes, and supply chain management.
- 34 years experience in continuous process improvement and ISO 9001 Quality Management System compliance.
Sharon Hartzel
Healthcare Professional
Qualifications
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