Ken Thomas received a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1977. During the 29 years prior to his retirement from Eli Lilly in 2006, Ken was engaged in a broad variety of technical fields, including API manufacturing of insulins and antibiotics, Environmental Management, Human Resources, Computer Process Automation, and Variability Reduction/Lean Six Sigma. Ken has extensive experience leading and facilitating teams. In 1997, Ken was assigned to lead the development and implementation of advanced concepts and practices of Supply Chain Management at Eli Lilly. He led the global project that defined and instituted global supply chain management at Lilly for all products and all locations. Nine subsequent years of contributions in this field include the creation of numerous global roles, tools and processes for the management of Lilly’s supply chains. In addition, he spearheaded development of technical training and career paths for global supply chain management professionals, and the creation of critical support activities for a global, single instance SAP implementation and the creation of a strategic supply chain vision. He is respected for his ability to develop people, to lead teams to be creative and conceptual, and to gain ownership into detail implementation efforts. He is broadly recognized as an opinion leader in the field of global supply chain management in the pharmaceutical field.

Ken is Certified in Production and Inventory Management by the American Production and Inventory Control Society. He is qualified as a Lean Six Sigma Champion, and has been recognized by Eli Lilly with the Quality Advocate Award and with the Global Supply Chain Excellence Award.