Frederick J. Michel

Frederick J. Michel, (September 23, 1921, Landau, in der Pfalz, Germany – May 30, 2009,Louisville, KY) was an American engineer at the forefront of developing Lean Company
technologies for the U.S. Army and private industries.
==Background==
Born in Landau Germany to Richard Michel, a wine distributor, and Lilly (Brunner)Michel, a homemaker and talented seamstress. Fred fled Nazi Germany with his parentsand younger brother Rudolph (Rudy) in 1936. The family was Jewish, and they feared for their safety under the Hitler regime. The Michels settled in New York City with relatives and quickly established themselves, which allowed for their move to Brooklyn. Richard worked for Macy’s in their wines/spirits department and Lilly worked for a high-end children’s clothing company designing children’s wear.
==Education==
Fred graduated in 1939 from Brooklyn Tech, an engineering high school, then enrolled in City College Of New York. He received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
in 1944, then entered the war. After his service he earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University, graduating in 1949.
==Military Service==
Fred was in college when WWII broke out. Instead of being drafted, the government deferred his induction until after he graduated. Once Fred graduated, he was drafted and sent to Florida for basic training and became a naturalized citizen. He was identified as a German speaker and knowledgeable of the customs and geography of Germany. He was sent to advanced intelligence training at Camp Ritchie in Maryland. Upon completion of that training he was assigned to Fort Hunt where he was part of MIS-Y (Military
Intelligence, section Y) conducting non-violent interrogations of Nazi POWs. This
operation was referred to as P.O. Box 1142 and is credited with helping to turn the tide of
the war. Fred interrogated prisoners from the notorious super submarine U-234, among
them Nazi scientist Heinz Schlicke. He was involved in processing rocket scientists from
Werner von Braun’s group into a program called Operation Paperclip. Fred was
discharged and received a citation for his intelligence work and assistance with the
Manhattan Project.
==Career==
1948 -1953 -Engineering manager, Peerless Instrument Company, Elmhurst, New York
1953 -1968 - Various management positions, Melpar Divisions/E-Systems, Falls Church, Virginia
1968 -1971 - Manufacturing manager, Westinghouse Electric, Tysons Corner, Virginia
1971-1978 - Operations manager, manufacturing development laboratory, Westinghouse Electric, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1978 -1985 - Deputy chief staff for manufacturing technical, United States Army Materiel Command, Alexandria, Virginia
1985 -1987 - Deputy for production, United States Army Materiel Command, Alexandria, Virginia
1988 -1989 - Director manufacturing technical, Business Development Manager International, McLean, Virginia
==Affiliations==
1944 -1946 - Technology sergeant Military Intelligence, United States Army.
1978 - Member Collingwood Citizens Association, Alexandria, Virginia
1987 - Chairman and member Next Generations Manufacturing Project, Autofact, Pi Tau Sigma, Alexandria, Virginia
1989 - President, Factory OPS & Factory Automation, Alexandria, Virginia
1994 - Member Affordability Task Force National Center for Advanced Technology, Washington D.C.
1991 - Chairman Casa/Small and Medium Size Enterprises, Dearborn, Michigan
1991 - Member concurrent engineering task force Department of Defense, Washington D.C.
1996 - Member Board on Manufacturing and Engineering Design, (BMED), National Research Council, Washington D.C.
1996 - 2000 Business and finance consultant, Washington D.C.
==Achievements==
1996 - Fellow in the Society Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
1996 – President, International Director of the SME
2003 - Recipient of the Gold SME Award (Society Manufacturing Engineers) 1
Frederick J. Michel - listed as a noteworthy manufacturing company executive by Marquis Who's Who.
Frederick J. Michel - Recipient Meritorious Civilian Service Award, United States Army.
==Publications==
Next Generation Manufacturing Methods and /Techniques (National Association of
Manufacturers), Book7, by James A. Jordan and Frederick J. Michel, Aug 24, 2007
The Lean Company: Making the Right Choices (Hardcover), by James A. Jordan and
Frederick J. Michel, January 1, 2001
==Interests==
Avocations: travel, reading, finance planning, stamp collecting.
==Personal-Family==
Married Lucille Berryman, January 3, 1947
Children: Deanna M. Orendorf, Cynthia Michel
Category:American engineers
Category:1921 births
Category:People from Landau
Category:2009 deaths