Keith Leitner

Keith A. Leitner is a Lecturer at the Haslam College of Business, University of Tennessee, focusing on Graduate and Executive Education programs. He specializes in Lean methodologies and their application across industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and defense. He is also President and Owner of Leitner Consulting Group and an Advisor with Liker Lean Advisors, LLC.

Education:

• B.A. in Psychology from Appalachian State University
• M.S. in Organizational Leadership and Management from the University of North Carolina, Pembroke (Honor’s Graduate)

Research & Expertise: Keith’s work emphasizes adapting Lean tools to industry-specific contexts, organizational culture development, and continuous improvement strategies. He has designed programs such as the Lean Enterprise Systems Design Institute and Lean for Healthcare initiatives. His expertise spans sectors like shipbuilding, aircraft repair, and healthcare operations, with notable clients including the U.S. Air Force, Northrop Grumman, and the UT Medical Center.

Consulting & Leadership:

• President/Owner: Leitner Consulting Group
• Advisor: Liker Lean Advisors, LLC
• Former VP of Continuous Improvement and Quality Systems at BTR Automotive

Key Contributions: Keith has created Lean certification programs, trained global leaders, and transformed facilities into industry showcases. His work prioritizes practical application of Lean principles to drive operational efficiency and culture change.