Meet The team
OpX Solutions, LLC is a performance improvement company. We specialize in helping organizations achieve operational excellence through process improvement and leadership development.
Leadership Team
Peter Mierke
CEO
When Peter Mierke graduated from the University of South Carolina, he began serving his country in the US Navy. Onboard 2 different ships, his love of leadership was developed and he started to truly understand the actions needed to support his team and help them achieve their goals.
Upon separating from the Navy, Peter joined GE Energy and supported manufacturing, sourcing and logistics of Gas, Steam and Wind turbines through multiple business cycles. He enjoyed learning from a global supply base and experiencing the factors that influenced the power generation industry. While working full-time, he completed his MBA.
Peter moved to Savannah, GA and joined the Mitsubishi Power team while they developed their Western hemisphere presence. He led multiple teams in manufacturing and service/repair of gas and steam turbines in processes such as welding, machining, fabrication, coating and assembly. As Plant Manager, Peter worked directly with Japanese and North American leadership to build, install and commission multiple power plants.
Most recently, Peter has supported the growth of a privately held company supporting wind, solar and other power generation customers in their project management and material deliveries. He established financial and organizational processes aimed at growth and supporting customers in their projects.
Family is the most important thing to Peter, and he enjoys spending time with them on the water boating/fishing, hiking, exercising and even doing yard work! He has visited 6 continents (still needs to get to Antarctica) and looks forward to time with family and friends.
Nancy Eichstadt
Managing Partner & CEO, LMI‑Carolinas / The Carolina Leadership Group, LLC
Nancy Eichstadt is the Managing Partner and CEO of LMI‑Carolinas, the regional affiliate of Leadership Management International (LMI), operating under The Carolina Leadership Group, LLC. Since 2009, she has helped professionals and organizations across the Carolinas enhance leadership capability, boost performance, and drive sustainable growth.
With over 25 years of experience in corporate leadership, Nancy brings deep expertise in executive coaching, team development, and strategic change. Prior to launching her practice, she held senior roles in Sales, Marketing, Global Business Development, and Business Unit Management at Fortune 500 companies including Dow Chemical, Georgia‑Pacific, and Sealed Air Corporation—where she managed revenues up to $200 million and led multimillion-dollar capital projects.
Nancy’s approach blends business acumen with authentic coaching. She’s known for her energy, integrity, and direct communication style that drives real, measurable results. She helps leaders build confidence, improve communication, and strengthen team dynamics—transforming both individual careers and company culture.
Under her leadership, LMI‑Carolinas has earned numerous accolades, including LMI’s Licensee of the Year for the Americas. Nancy herself has been recognized as Sales Leader of the Year (2017), Servant’s Heart USA (2020), and Motivator of the Year in both the Americas and globally.
Education
B.S. in Public Relations and Marketing, Ball State University
When she’s not working with clients, Nancy enjoys golf, hiking, camping, scuba diving, cooking, and traveling with her husband and their English Cocker Spaniels.
MIKE LEIGH
Founder
Mike Leigh is the President of OpX Solutions, LLC and a Managing Partner with Leadership Management Institute. Mike has 25 years of leadership and management experience, within both government and corporate environments. He began his career as an officer in the US Navy in the late ‘80s, specializing in nuclear propulsion and surface warfare. During a 20-year career spanning both active duty and the reserves, he received several awards and earned numerous qualifications, including certifications as a Navy Nuclear Engineer and a Navy Instructor. Mike retired from the Navy as a Commander in 2008. Following active duty, Mike spent 13 years with General Electric and held various leadership and senior management positions at several different manufacturing sites. During his last five years with GE, Mike was an internal lean consultant and helped over 25 GE factories/suppliers and hundreds of work teams become more productive, reduce costs, and improve their bottom line. Mike learned his skills from Shingijutsu Consultants, considered by many to be the best in the world.
Mike left the corporate world and started OpX Solutions because of his desire to more closely help others achieve success, both in their personal and professional lives, and to be more involved in the Roanoke area. Mike stays active volunteering with several charitable and civic organizations including the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, Military Officers Association of America, and St John’s Episcopal Church. He also enjoys running and triathlons and is an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Mike holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and a Master’s degree in Human Resources.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EXPERTISE
- 25 years of operational leadership experience as a US Navy Officer (retired Commander) and manufacturing manager.
- National account certified facilitator with Leadership Management International (LMI).
- LMI World Growth Leader in 2018 awarded to top LMI business in the world for year over year growth.
- LMI Americas Facilitator of the Year in 2016.
- Virginia Small Business Veteran of the Year in 2014 from Virginia Small Business Development Centers.
LEAN PROCESS EXPERTISE
- Lean practitioner since 2007.
- Internal Lean consultant with GE for 5 years. Provided Lean strategy, training and support for 15 different GE factories.
- 45 weeks of training by mentors from Shingijutsu, considered by many as the best Lean consultants in the world.
- Facilitated over 300 kaizen improvement teams.
- Instructor with Virginia Tech Lean Academy.
- Co-authored book – Practicing Lean.
LOIS JAMES
Director of Leadership Development
Lois has 33+ years’ business and management experience in the financial, customer service, senior healthcare, and leadership development industries. She started her career in the secondary mortgage market with Freddie Mac in McLean, VA where she held leadership positions with Freddie Mac to develop, train, and coach new employees to follow mandated guidelines.
After living in Washington D.C. and Chicago, IL after college, Lois moved back to the Roanoke area in 2004 and spent 14 years in the senior healthcare industry holding various leadership and management positions. Working her most recent position as Regional Director with Generation Solutions, the company won several local and statewide awards and had a zero-deficiency rating with the required state inspection.
Because of her strong passion and desire to help others achieve both professional and personal success, Lois joined OpX Solutions in 2018 and is a Certified LMI Facilitator. Giving back to her community is important to Lois. She has been an active member of the Roanoke Senior Networking Group since 2004 and has served as Vice President since 2006. She is also active with the Roanoke Kiwanis Club where she serves as Membership Chair as well as participating in several other committees. Lois sits on the board with The Market Building Foundation in downtown Roanoke and on the board with the Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce. She is active with the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce where she currently serves as an ambassador. Lois has been a Deacon and a volunteer with various programs at Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Originally from the Alleghany highlands in Clifton Forge, VA, Lois graduated from Virginia Tech, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management with a minor in Sociology.
DIANNE WARD
Director of Organizational Development
Dianne Ward will support you as a lean practitioner, performance coach, and accountability partner. Known for her servant leadership approach and her inclusive communication style, Dianne will help inspire motivation that will ignite a positive transformation for your business.
With a Master’s Degree in International Economics from the University of Kentucky, Dianne has devoted her career to the pursuit of continuous improvement. Dianne is a certified coach with the International Coaching Federation, and she has spent the last 5 years coaching all levels of leaders, including executives in a Fortune 100 company. Dianne has over 20 years of experience leading teams in the manufacturing, distribution, information technology and insurance sectors.
Dianne is a founding member of the non-profit organization, WE CHARM (Women Everyday Changing Hearts as Role Models) which is dedicated to supporting the empowerment of both women and men. In her spare time, Dianne enjoys building a homestead lifestyle with her husband. She also has an interest in music and is currently learning to play several instruments.
Dianne will incorporate her wide scope of experiences and business practices into a practical, relatable, enjoyable learning experience for you and your team. She looks forward to applying her skills to serve your organization’s core mission and strategic goals.
Katie Broce
Business Operations and Marketing Leader
Katie comes to us with over 20 years of experience in customer service from retail, banking, and manufacturing and a degree in Business Management with a focus in Human Resources Management. Starting at a very young age, building relationships with customers and clients has been a driving factor in her success. A top producer with Wells Fargo Bank in not only sales but in client retention was just the beginning of her career achievements.
After leaving Wells Fargo Bank to join the team at Mitsubishi Power Systems, Katie held multiple positions allowing her to gain knowledge of the Manufacturing world before finding her home in Human Resources. There, Katie was able to share her desire to give back to her community and served as the Campaign Chairperson for the company’s United Way fundraiser for 4 years, surpassing its goal each year. Katie also is a graduate of LMI’s EPP and EPL programs facilitated by OpX Solutions.
Katie enjoys spending time with her three sons and husband. Whether it be boating on the river or sitting in the stands of a sporting event, she is always outdoors. She supports her children’s schools through multiple volunteer opportunities and is an active member of her church.
Lisa Hayes
Director of Strategic Development and Leadership Growth
Lisa is an intuitive executive coach, facilitator, and speaker with a talent for guiding leaders through chaos toward clarity and success. Over the past 27 years, Lisa’s career has spanned strategic initiatives in the retail industry with Target Corporation and Best Buy and leadership consulting across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, non-profits, and professional sports.
Lisa leverages a comprehensive toolkit of assessments and methodologies, including certifications in executive and team coaching and proficiency in DISC and EQi assessments, to help clients achieve self-awareness and build habits for long-term success. Recently, she relocated to Savannah, GA, from Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, and joined the Savannah Chamber of Commerce to connect and collaborate with local professionals.
Outside of her professional life, she is deeply committed to her family and community service. Known for her love of animals, she has dedicated years to helping rescue animals find new homes. She even started a candle business in MN that donated all profits to local animal rescues. She has continued this passion in Georgia by volunteering with Chatham County Animal Services and a local animal rescue organization.
Ester Wensink
Growth and Partnerships Director
Ester Wensink is Growth and Partnerships Director at OpX Solutions, with an international background in manufacturing, sustainability, and learning & development, helping organizations translate strategy into measurable operational results. She brings more than a decade of global experience in learning and development, project and change management, and business development, with a track record of turning complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies that drive measurable performance gains. Her expertise spans manufacturing, sustainability, offshore wind, and innovation, and she is known for simplifying complexity, building strong networks, and designing programs that translate strategy into daily habits and behaviors.
A certified business coach and PROSCI change management practitioner, Ester has led industry education initiatives, developed curricula for emerging technologies, and coached leaders and teams across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. Her key skills include building strategic partnerships, project and change management, curriculum design, leadership development, coaching and mentoring, all grounded in a practical, people-centered approach to operational excellence.
Outside of work, Ester enjoys hiking, singing, and meditating, practices that help her stay grounded, creative, and connected to the bigger picture. She brings that same reflective and growth-oriented mindset into her client relationships, creating space for leaders to step back, refocus, and move forward with clarity and confidence.
Lindsey Taylor
Director of Operations
Lindsey’s career has been rooted in process and people from the very beginning, starting directly on the production floor. With a background in manufacturing engineering, her early career was spent in high‑volume manufacturing and heavy industrial environments, where she supported daily operations, launched production lines from the ground up, and immersed herself in Lean transformations and Kaizen events. This hands‑on, floor‑level experience shaped her understanding of how systems, teams, and execution come together in real time. As her career progressed, Lindsey transitioned off the production floor into program/project management, where she broadened her impact—leveraging her operational foundation to strengthen Lean, Six Sigma, and project management practices and demonstrating how mastering the fundamentals can drive sustainable organizational change.
Lindsey’s hands-on approach began at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where she earned her degree in Mechanical Engineering. Her curiosity and commitment to continuous learning have created opportunities to deepen her expertise, including earning Six Sigma Black Belt certifications through both ASQ and Caterpillar. To complement her technical background and ensure a well-rounded skill set, Lindsey also holds certifications in Change Management and Situational Leadership.
Outside of work, Lindsey enjoys traveling, spending time with family, cooking, and working out. In one of her first college interviews, she was asked to count how many countries she had traveled to and was told to stop when she reached 32. Experiencing local culture is an important part of how she travels, and when work takes her on the road, she often uses it as an opportunity to try new and local workout classes. While travel has shaped many meaningful experiences, the moments she values most always include her family. They are her biggest supporters and the foundation behind the life and career she is proud to have built.
JENNIFER LEIGH
Director of Administration
Jennifer Leigh will be your contact person for all things administrative at OpX Solutions, including corporate and employee assessments, accounts payable/receivable, contracts, and bids, and setting up as a client, employee, or contractor.
Her experience includes education, technical writing, website maintenance, digital and print marketing, and bookkeeping. She currently does all of the above for OpX Solutions as well as fulfills all our HR needs and maintains our corporate certifications such as SVAM and VETBIZ.
Jen has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from The University of Tampa and a Master of Science Degree in Education from Old Dominion University. She is a founding member of Women at the Well, a ministry devoted to helping women in the Roanoke community develop closer bonds, while also giving back to women and children in need.
Nadine Lavigne
Leadership Development Facilitator
Nadine Lavigne is an executive coach, facilitator, and leadership development expert dedicated to helping organizations build authentic, connected, and high-performing cultures. With over 20 years of experience in Fortune 100 companies across industries such as manufacturing, technology, and professional services, Nadine brings a unique blend of business acumen and human connection to every conversation.
A lifelong learner, Nadine is certified in executive coaching (ACC), facilitation, and multiple leadership assessments, including DiSC, StrengthsFinder, and The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team. She is also part of multiple Women’s Networks, the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and active in the Upstate business community, where she helps organizations elevate how they lead, learn, and grow.
Outside of work, Nadine finds joy in concerts, working out, and cheering on her kids’ sports teams. She believes the same principles that strengthen families and friendships, such as gratitude, connection, and authenticity, are what build the most successful workplaces. When people feel seen and valued, trust grows, and meaningful results follow.
advisors and coaches
John Dawson
Manufacturing Advisor
John Dawson worked at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, KY for 16 years, where the principles and philosophies of TPS were deeply inculcated. This Lean/Continuous Improvement experience has enabled him to be a successful results-driven change agent with a highly competitive, innovative, entrepreneurial global mindset.
With over 15 years of combined leadership expertise in consulting, training, project management and TPS continuous improvement designs, John facilitates his understanding of the organizational structure on all levels to guide and lead others while driving organization culture change from conceptualization to implementation by coaching and mentoring key stakeholders throughout the initiative.
John has driven lean transformation in a spectrum of industries from automotive to healthcare to Oil and Gas. During his tenure at previous businesses, he was successful in creating engaged team environments, which enabled his teams to successfully achieve department and company goals.
John has an Associate of Science in Data Processing from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Capella University and is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
John’s areas of expertise include: Change Management, TPS Philosophies, Group Facilitation, Coaching and Mentorship, Cross Team Collaboration, Lean Processes & Best Practices, Strategy Development and Continuous Improvement.
Sara Kagarise
Executive Coach and Leadership Development Facilitator
Sara Kagarise, MA, PMP, PCC, CRP is a seasoned Organizational Psychology Practitioner with over a decade of experience in the training and organizational development space. As a certified coach, she collaborates with leaders to grow and develop themselves and their talent to meet current and future workforce needs.
Sara holds certifications as an Professional Certified Coach, Project Management Professional, and ROI Professional. As an Industrial and Organizational Psychology Practitioner, Sara’s goal is to improve the work environment for an organization’s most valuable asset, its human capital. She loves helping leaders leverage their most authentic and effective self.
Sara holds an A.A.S. degree in Radiologic Sciences from Virginia Western Community College, a B.S in Health Science and Health Administration from Old Dominion University, and a M.A. degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Adler University.
Chris Tate
Manufacturing & Engineering Leader
Chris’ experience spans 32 years of manufacturing across multiple market segments including aerospace, automotive and power generation.
Chris began his career in the family shop where he gained a solid foundation in machining, fabricating and welding. It also gave him a strong entrepreneurial spirit and get-it-done attitude that permeates his work.
In his early career Chris was a manufacturing engineer supporting machining, welding and fabricating processes. His time in the family shop gives him a unique set of skills that allow him to offer simple creative solutions that appeal to craftsmen in the shop.
As he matured in his career, Chris moved into leadership and has held roles such as manufacturing engineering manager, operations manager, and plant manager. His leadership experience has ranged from small technical teams to leading multiple plants in different regions.
Chris makes his home in Natchez MS where his wife is a real estate broker. They have two sons; the oldest son is in medical school and the youngest is finishing an accounting degree.
Leila Aziz
Sourcing and Supply Chain Advisor
Leila is a seasoned supply chain and operations leader with over 15 years of experience driving strategy across the technology and energy sectors. She spent over a decade rising through the ranks at General Electric starting with the prestigious Operations Management Leadership Program (OMLP) to eventually becoming a Senior Manufacturing Operations Manager before transitioning to the sourcing and procurement world where she rose to the role of Senior Global Commodity Manager. There, she managed high-performing teams responsible for the sourcing strategy of critical wind turbine components with a strong focus on driving savings.
Leila possesses a holistic view of the supply chain, having held key leadership roles in strategic sourcing, manufacturing operations, and quality engineering. This diverse background allows Leila to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and on-the-ground operational execution.
Leila is a graduate of Clemson University where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering. She lives in Greenville, South Carolina and is a graduate of Leadership Greenville Class 43. Leila serves on the boards of Project Host, a local soup kitchen, and The Warehouse Theatre, a professional theatre in downtown Greenville.
JIM GAMBILL
Manufacturing Advisor
Jim worked for GE Energy for over 30 years, progressing through roles of increasing responsibility in Production and Supply Chain. Areas of responsibility included – Stockrooms, Production Control, Inventory Management, Sourcing, Scheduling, Shop Operations, Spare Parts Fulfillment, Materials, and Lean Implementation.
He is an experienced Lean Sensei, driving dramatic results across a diverse mix of businesses. He thrives on implementing TPS concepts to improve business metrics and simplification efforts. He has coached and mentored hundreds of managers and thousands of direct labor on the shop floor using Lean methodology to eliminate waste in physical as well transactional processes. He is an excellent communicator, focusing on team building, and hands-on learning.
Jim has been a consultant for seven years leading companies through their specific challenges. He is experienced and skilled in Lean, DMAIC, Supply Chain, Strategic Sourcing, Root Cause Analysis, and Continuous Improvement. Current projects indicate that many companies are particularly interested in facility Layout and process improvements.
Skills & Expertise:
+ Lean Implementation + Materials Management + Purchasing Manager
+ Lean Training + Master Planning + Inventory Control
+ Lean Projects + Scheduling + Shipping and Logistics
+ Lean Facilities + Project Management + Warehouse / Stockrooms
+ Excellent Communicator + Mentor / Sensei + Effective Team Leader
Allan Tsang
Negotiation Coach
Allan Tsang is an experienced negotiation Coach and the founder of 88Owls.com. With over a decade and a half of experience training professionals from around the world, he brings a diverse background to the table. His expertise in negotiations and knowledge of business dynamics enables him to identify and address areas of potential risk or opportunity, providing customized solutions to his clients’ needs.
With close to 1000 companies and thousands of professionals, he has been able to develop a comprehensive understanding of negotiations and deliver successful outcomes. Allan has been trained and mentored by the world renowned negotiation expert, Jim Camp, author of Start with No and the founder of the CAMP System. He also holds a master’s degree in conflict analysis and resolution, has delivered workshops with one of his mentors, Gary Noesner, Chief of the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit (Ret.), and has adapted and implemented some of their negotiation tactics and approaches in order to build positive and collaborative relationships in the business world.
As a negotiation coach, Allan provide coaching to a range of clients – from start-ups to multi-billion-dollar companies, Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies, and Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work For”. His coaching style is characterized by a no-nonsense approach that enables his clients to get the best possible results from their negotiations. Additionally, he has guided negotiations against companies such as Google, PepsiCo, Verizon, Northrop Grumman, and Microsoft, equipping them to perform well under pressure in real-world negotiations.
Allan is not only an invaluable asset to executives, but also to those responsible for negotiating high stake deals and team members who need someone in their corner. His expertise in strategic negotiation, conflict resolution, culture and talent development has enabled him to successfully guide organizations during negotiations at all levels. Whether you need help coaching your executives, developing a culture and talent strategy or negotiating complex deals, Allan is the go-to resource for achieving success in any negotiation. With his proven track record and excellent reputation, you can count on him to help you get the most out of your negotiations.
He has been quoted in organizational management textbooks on negotiation, co-authored Negotiation Mythbusters: rethinking everything you know about negotiation, and was featured in several regional business publications on negotiation. With Allan’s help, clients are able to better understand the complexities of negotiations, develop negotiation plans tailored to their specific objectives, and ultimately close deals that will benefit everyone involved.
Ron Barrett
Manufacturing Advisor
Ron Barrett’s path into operations and supply chain consulting was shaped by an unusual combination of engineering training and military service. After earning a degree in Ocean Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, he spent eight years in the Navy as both a Naval Flight Officer and a Civil Engineer Corps officer — experience that instilled a deep appreciation for precision, accountability, and building teams that execute under pressure.
After leaving the Navy, Ron joined GE Energy and spent nearly a decade working across manufacturing, supply chain, and global operations for gas and steam turbine product lines. He had the opportunity to lead a manufacturing startup in Budapest, Hungary — shipping the first unit just ten months after project approval — and later managed capital investment across GE’s global network of plants and service centers. Those years taught him how world-class industrial organizations are built and what separates the ones that consistently deliver from the ones that struggle.
Ron then moved into the offshore marine services industry, where he led global supply chain and information technology for one of the world’s largest vessel operating companies. He implemented ERP systems across more than 20 countries, established shared service centers on two continents, and led sourcing initiatives that generated over $20 million in annualized savings. From there he joined a family-owned Caterpillar dealership, where he held four different senior roles spanning safety, service operations, and sales — and came to genuinely appreciate the unique cultures throughout the state of Louisiana.
Today Ron works as an independent consultant helping industrial and service companies improve how they operate. He brings a straightforward approach: understand how work actually gets done, identify what’s getting in the way, and build practical solutions the organization can own and sustain.
Outside of work, Ron enjoys travel by land, sea or air while sampling the food and culture along the way.
Specialists
SHARON HARRILLA
Workforce Training Specialist
Sharon Harrilla brings order to chaos on your manufacturing floor. She will help your workers understand their challenges and help improve training and training materials. Making connections for the workers on the floor has been the most rewarding aspect of her work.
Sharon has over 20 years of varied teaching experience and a passion to help others achieve their goals. She truly embraces the concept of lifelong learning and strives to bring that message to workers, supervisors, and managers. For every problem there is a solution and the key to all success is in the human relationship that we build with others.
Sharon earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Edinboro University and a Master of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College. Her hobbies include running and traveling.
SAM LEIGH
Training Materials Specialist
Shane Leigh
Systems & Support Specialist
Shane Leigh will assist in organizing and presenting your data in an easily digestible and modifiable format, allowing for a vast and detailed understanding of crucial information. Using Microsoft Power BI, he can create dashboards displaying any kind of information you wish to help analyze trends and identify previously unknown issues in inventory, payroll, sales, job sites, scheduling, and more. User-friendly dashboard controls allow you or your employees to filter, sort, and drill down into data to get the answers you need.
Shane graduated from Christopher Newport University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a minor in digital humanities. His experience includes Power BI work for Piedmont Airlines and EZ Mobility Solutions, web testing for Advanced Logic Industries, and various cybersecurity and cryptographic programming work for the U.S. National Security Agency.