Our Experts

Our experts’ capabilities come from long careers at manufacturers, both large and small. They’ve started their own companies, worked for major employers, and led companies across the Southern Tier.


Ed Gaetano
Executive Director
607-774-0022 Ext. 304
Mobile 607-760-3864

Ed is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he earned his B.S. in Industrial Engineering.  He also earned his M.S. in Engineering Administration at Syracuse University.  Ed has had over 30 years experience in industry, gaining expertise in Industrial Engineering, Planning, Manufacturing Management, TQM and World Class Manufacturing techniques and Innovation Engineering Leadership.  Ed joined AM&T in 1994 and has delivered services to scores of businesses focusing on Business Assessments, Strategic Planning, Lean Manufacturing, Process Improvements and overall business performance improvement.  In April 1998, Ed was appointed Executive Director of AM&T.

Expertise: Business Assessments, Strategic Planning, Lean Manufacturing, Process Improvements and overall business performance improvement.


Jim Cunningham
Business Developer / Principal Consultant
607-774-0022 Ext. 311
Mobile 607-725-1225

Jim joined AM&T in 1999 with many years of experience in the manufacturing and distribution industries.  In addition to previously owning his own industrial marketing agency, Jim has been involved with several company start-ups and corporate reorganizations and has held various management positions in Sales, Marketing, Quality Assurance and Operations with a number of hi-tech companies.  In addition to delivering client services, Jim is responsible for the development of new business, grant management, and expansion of AM&T's outreach to small and mid-size manufacturers in the Southern Tier, and is a PBA and has been trained in Solutions Selling and Innovation Engineering Leadership.

Expertise: Business Assessments, Operational and Strategic Planning, Organizational Improvements, and Sales & Marketing Management, Planning and Training.


Lloyd A. Johnson
Principal Consultant
607-774-0022 Ext. 312
Mobile 607-227-6229

Lloyd is a graduate of Syracuse University where he earned a B.S.E.E. and an MBA. Lloyd has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing, quality and program management. Prior to joining AM&T in 2003, Lloyd was a VP and Chief Operating Officer at a high-tech firm in Ithaca, NY., and was a consultant providing services to Lockheed Martin in Syracuse, NY. Since joining AM&T, Lloyd has successfully worked on several projects with several companies, including assessments, strategic planning, facility planning, lean training, ISO, TWI and Project Management. Lloyd brings a broad and varied skill set to the organization, along with an in-depth understanding of how small firms operate. Lloyd is a Professional Business Advisor (PBA) and is also a certified Project Management Professional, certified by the Project Management Institute, and is certified to teach Training Within Industry (TWI) and has received his RABQSA certification as a Certified QMS Principal Auditor for ISO and has conducted scores of engagements with clients.

Expertise: Business Assessments, Strategic Planning, Lean Manufacturing, Supervisor Skill Building (TWI), Project Management Training, Operations Management, World-Class Manufacturing and ISO Quality System Development and Auditing.


Robert (Bob) Mann
Principal Consultant
RABQSA-Certified QMS Lead Assessor
607-774-0022 Ext. 305
Mobile 607-725-8226

Bob is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where he earned an A.A.S. degree in Photographic Engineering and a B.S. degree in Business Administration. Bob's IBM career spanned over 30 years and included assignments in manufacturing, information systems, marketing and development engineering. Corporate level assignments included domestic and international functional assessments and evaluation of business practices. Prior to joining AM&T, Bob spent six months with a nationally-recognized Registrar of Quality Systems. He joined AM&T in 1995 and developed it's ISO training and audit services programs for delivery to companies. Bob is a Professional Business Advisor (PBA) and a RABQSA-certified Lead Assessor of Quality Management Systems. He specializes in and leads the delivery of ISO9001, ISO14000 and AS9100 QMS preparation and audit services.

Expertise: ISO 9000 and AS9100 training, preparation and internal audits, ISO 9000, AS9100 and 14000 Lead Assessor.

Michael Meador
Principal Consultant
607-774-0022 Ext. 314
Mobile 607-342-3208

Michael is a graduate of Marshall University and received an MBA from the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University. His interests propelled him into technology-based enterprises where he has been responsible for both top- and bottom-line results. In addition to CEO roles, he has directly managed business functions such as Strategic & Financial Planning, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources, Administrative Services and Facilities, Legal, Risk Management, and Information Technology. He has been founder or co-owner of several businesses, and has been responsible for managing several corporate mergers and acquisitions. Michael joined AM&T in 2009 and has been primarily responsible for business development and enhancement of marketing materials and messaging. Michael has also been certified to deliver Family Business advisor services to family-owned businesses.

Expertise: Business Assessments, Planning, Marketing, and Training.

Carol Miller
Principal Consultant
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
607-774-0022 Ext. 316
Mobile 607-237-8031

Carol has over 25 years experience in the manufacturing and service sectors. She has a broad-based background in Operations and Project Management, Lean Manufacturing, Quality Assurance and Technology Integration. Carol has worked in a variety of operations and management functions at several companies. She joined the MEP Program in 1996 and provided consulting services in the design and implementation of manufacturing best practices in Long Island and New Jersey prior to joining AM&T in 2004. Carol has a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the State University of New York, College at Buffalo, and an M.S. in Management of Technology from Polytechnic University. She is a member of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) and the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is a NIST certified trainer and implementer of Lean Manufacturing techniques, and has received certification as a Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University. Carol leads AM&T’s Lean effort.

Expertise: Lean management and training, Six Sigma, Quality Assurance, Technology Integration.

Kathy M. Peacock
Finance Administrator / Notary Public
607-774-0022 Ext. 308

Kathy has 25 years of accounting experience, mostly in the non-profit sector. She joined AM&T in 1995 and is responsible for handling all of AM&T’s finances and reporting. Kathy manages client contracts, tracking & invoicing and monitors AM&T goals and statewide reporting. Kathy is an ISO Internal Auditor performing internal audits for AM&T’s and some clients. She provides support in Lean classes and at trade shows, and helps clients complete their financial reimbursement requests. Kathy has a degree in accounting from St. Bonaventure University, is a Notary Public and belongs to the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.

Robert F. Edwards
I.T. Administrator / Webmaster
607-774-0022 Ext: 307

Bob has 20 years experience in networking technologies and computer programming, and another eight in quality control and engineering. Bob joined AM&T in 1996 and now is its webmaster and database administrator, keeping AM&T at the leading edge of technology. He has a degree in electronic technology from Broome Community College and studied computer science at Binghamton University.