Weekly news source for the Heartstream and CPD merger
June 15, 1998 Volume 1, Number 8
(1) Meet Heartstream’s Mike Adams
(2) New shipping system is up and running
(3) Sales meeting in Boston hailed a success
(4) Meet Larry Barstow, CPD Manufacturing
(5) Most computers users have now HP systems
(1) MEET HEARTSTREAM’S MIKE ADAMS
Mike Adams, Information Technology (IT) site manager of the Heartstream Operation in Seattle, started out in pre-med at the University of Oregon before deciding that engineering was a better fit for him. “The back-biting competition in the pre-med department included contaminating lab samples of other students to get them out of the running for good medical schools,” Adams recalls. “When I switched to engineering I joined a group of people who worked together to make everyone succeed. This seemed like a healthier way to work.”
Adams earned his BSEE in 1980 from Oregon State and got married to Beckie shortly thereafter. His first job in the paper and pulp industry caused him to travel more than he liked and he accepted a job with Intermec in Lynnwood, a Seattle suburb, in 1981.
From software engineer (he wrote embedded code for a bar code impact printer) to head of a 30-person IT department, Adams’ successful 13-year Intermec career was rewarding. He might still be there except for the lure of Heartstream. “I worked with Ski Mydnyski at Intermec before he moved to Heartstream. He suggested I ‘check out’ Heartstream, and I’m glad I did.”
Adams was hired in 1994 as an engineering system specialist to develop a documentation system for engineering drawings. His responsibilities grew to include implementation and management of Fourth Shift, the inventory and order management program used to handle ForeRunner production. He became director of information services in 1995 with responsibilities for all the infrastructure and applications for computers and phones along with support for engineering services. As IT site manager, Adams still handles computer and phones and is busy learning how HP handles technology in a global, corporate environment.
Mike’s and Beckie’s family includes daughter Taryn, who is 12, and 13-year-old son Ryan. The family snow skis and enjoys boating in the San Juan Islands aboard the family’s 33-foot power boat.
(2) NEW SHIPPPING SYSTEM IS UP AND RUNNING
Mike Adams reports that the HP shipping system is now fully functional thanks to the cooperative efforts of many team members. “Last week we shipped a large number of products using the HP shipping system. Demo products were shipped to all the HP sales reps so they will have products to work with when they get back from their week-long sales training in Boston.”
Special recognition goes to Jim Paquette, the HP shipping system program manager; John Araujo, who provides training and ongoing support; and Steve Dickey, who got the HP printers working on site. Heartstream folks also deserves thanks and praise — specifically Shipping Coordinator Subhash Sudra and Customer Service Reps Lee Thompson and Cindy Coale who entered all the sales orders into the system.
“There is always a minor fix that’s needed here and there when a new system goes online,” says Adams, “but this was a very smooth cutover to a new shipping system and we’re pleased with how well it went.”
(3) SALES MEETING IN BOSTON HAILED A SUCCESS
Bringing three diverse sales channels together is a difficult challenge, but the people responsible for planning last week’s sales meeting in Boston scored a winner.
“I don’t think we could have had a better meeting,” says Heartstream Marketing Manager Craig Peterson. “It was extremely positive. We even conducted ‘extra credit’ training sessions after hours because the sales reps wanted more information. I’m very impressed with the level of people we have selling ForeRunner.”
Heartstream Operations Manager Deborah DiSanzo agrees. “When I got up to speak and saw 220 people who were ready to sell ForeRunner and I realized how psyched and engaged they were, I knew we had a winner.”
Another sure sign that the meeting was a winner is that Sales Manager Kay Lester received many phone calls from her team over the weekend telling her how much they liked the meeting, which reinforced her own enthusiasm for the outstanding sales meeting.
Kudos go to Field Administrator Donna Aldrich for her superb support of the field organization. Many of them made a point of thanking Aldrich and other HP managers for everything that has been done to make them feel like welcome members of the HP team.
(4) MEET LARRY BARSTOW, CPD MANUFACTURING
“As we awaited the birth of our first child in June 1987, several older men told me they regretted not having spent more time with their young children and urged me not to repeat their mistakes,” says Larry Barstow, CPD Manufacturing manager. “Over and over again I was advised to find balance in my life, not to sacrifice my family on the altar of my career. I continually strive to act on this advice.”
Barstow is working with Ken Jenkins (profiled in Newsletter # 7) and their teams to plan for a steady increase in ForeRunner production over the next six or seven years.
“The Heartstream philosophy of design gives us lots of flexibility,” explains Barstow. “With a traditional defib design, we have to build in differences for specific customers at an earlier stage. Heartstream builds a generic ForeRunner, which passes all tests before the specific language and country-specific accessories are added. This allows the well-designed product to get to the customer quickly without needlessly tying up company resources in excess inventory.
“Ken and I complement each other,” continues Barstow. “His knowledge of ForeRunner and mine of the HP supply chain methodologies are being combined to establish the manufacturing/customer fulfillment plans. We’re a good pair.”
Jenkins agrees. “Don’t tell him I said so,” he jokes, “but I like and admire Larry. He’s a good manufacturing manager.”
A graduate of Cornell and MIT, Barstow worked for the auto industry in Detroit, then as a manufacturing systems consultant in Cambridge, Massachusetts, working for clients such as General Motors and Pratt Whitney. Being on the road three days a week didn’t fit the picture Barstow and his wife had for their lives.
In June 1987, Maura Barstow had the couples first child (a girl) , they bought their home (a 200-year-old farm house) and Larry started a new job at HP — manufacturing engineer in Patient Monitoring.
Today the family includes two sons (9 and 6) and spends as much time as possible playing together. Hiking, camping, water sports including snorkeling, swimming and sailing all fill the family’s hours. Barstow also coaches his kids’ soccer, baseball and basketball teams. Weekends and vacations at the family’s beach cabin complete the picture.
Barstow says he focuses on four things: career, family, marriage and self. “I spend time on all four, but I don’t sacrifice one at the expense of another.” It seems to work. “I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.”
(5) MOST COMPUTERS USERS NOW HAVE HP SYSTEMS
About 80 percent of Heartstream computer users now have PC COE and HP OpenMail installed on their computers. Shortly all users will have access to these HP systems.
Special thanks to Shannon Smith and Mike Long who are doing a great job installing the software on the computers.
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FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
The Transition Team publishes the Transition Newsletter every week for Heartstream and CPD employees. Send your comments, suggestions or news items to:
Sandy Prater, Editor
sprater@halcyon.com
425-883-4725
fax: 425-867-5539
Note: Sandy Prater is a contractor based in Redmond, Washington.
Distribution:
Maura Renaud, CPD
978-659-4753
Mike Adams, Heartstream
206-664-5797
MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS: PLEASE PROVIDE HARD COPIES TO EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC MAIL.
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