Ernie Pither
About Ernie Pither
Ernie Pither serves as the Vice President of the Compressed Air and Tool Division at John Henry Foster, where he has worked since 2017. He focuses on empowering his team to meet customer demands efficiently and has a background in engineering and operational excellence.
Work at John Henry Foster
Ernie Pither has served as the Vice President of the Compressed Air and Tool Division at John Henry Foster since 2017. In this role, he focuses on empowering and coaching team members to execute plans with urgency, ensuring that customer demands are met effectively. Pither has also previously worked at John Henry Foster as a Product Manager for Return on Investment Business and Operational Excellence from 2014 to 2015. During his tenure, he implemented a business operating system aimed at exceeding customer requirements and significantly reducing lead times.
Previous Experience at Ingersoll Rand
Before his current role, Ernie Pither worked at Ingersoll Rand in various capacities. He served as the Director of Engineered Products Sales and Service for nine months in 2010 and 2011. Additionally, he was the Customer Center Manager from 2006 to 2010, where he managed operations in the Kansas City, Missouri area. His experience at Ingersoll Rand contributed to his expertise in sales and service management within the engineered products sector.
Education and Expertise
Ernie Pither earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Kansas State University, where he studied from 1991 to 1995. His educational background in chemical engineering provides a solid foundation for his roles in the compressed air and tool industry, enhancing his capability to manage technical and operational challenges effectively.
Focus on Continuous Improvement
In his professional practice, Ernie Pither aims to eliminate non-value-added steps annually to enhance customer service efficiency. He strives to create a team culture that emphasizes continuous improvement using lean tools. Pither promotes a work environment that fosters passion and creates opportunities for achieving remarkable results, reflecting his commitment to operational excellence.