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Remove Barriers to Operational Excellence

Break Through Constraints. Deliver Lasting Results

PIVOT Management Consultants is a group of experienced, professionals that helps organizations develop & implement change strategies.  We provide on-site training and consulting with an implementation orientation for delivering measurable results.

Start Your Pivot

Why Choose Pivot Management Consultants?

At PIVOT, we don’t just provide expertise — we energize your team to deliver lasting results. Our approach combines hands-on consulting with skills transfer, ensuring your organization continues to improve long after our work is complete.

We follow a proven two-phase process:

  1. Assess: A deep review of your business practices to uncover opportunities.

  2. Transform: Designing and deploying strategies that deliver quick wins and embed continuous improvement.

Our services – spanning Lean, Six Sigma, TRIZ, ISO Standards, and leadership training – are tailored to help you streamline processes, boost performance, and achieve your business goals.

Learn More About Us

Proven Across Industries, From Healthcare to High-Tech

What We Do

We offer a comprehensive suite of consulting and training services, including Lean, Six Sigma, and TRIZ, designed to optimize your processes, foster innovation, and achieve peak organizational performance.

Lean & Six Sigma Transformation

Streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.

Structured Innovation (TRIZ)

Solve complex problems with systematic creativity frameworks.
What is TRIZ?

Strategic Change Management

Align people, processes, and priorities for sustainable success.

Quality Systems (Management & Auditing)

Strengthen compliance and build resilient systems.

Our Services

How We Work: Driving Change Through Proven Methodologies

Assessment & Planning

Assessment & Planning

We gain an in-depth understanding of your business operations and identify opportunities for improvement and critical success factors. This helps us determine your organization's alignment with its strategy, pinpoint challenges, and identify best practices.
Phase 1
Execution & Implementing

Execution & Implementing

This phase concentrates on the design and deployment of improvement strategies related to the issues found in Phase 1. It is a two-pronged approach that first addresses issues to deliver quick results and then stresses a long-term direction to institutionalize the continuous improvement effort.
Phase 2

Assess

We begin by understanding your organization’s goals, challenges, and opportunities. Through in-depth analysis and stakeholder engagement, we uncover areas that need change and identify opportunities/challenges, while recognizing best practices to build on.
Step 1

Align

We work closely with your leadership and teams to align strategy, operations, and culture. This critical alignment ensures that initiatives are well-supported, sharply focused on key priorities, and fully set up for long-term client success.
Step 2

Execute

With a focus on execution and deployment of the plan developed in the previous phase, we work with your team to deliver measurable results. Our use of balanced scorecard links the organization’s vision/mission to actions and associated outcomes.
Step 3

Get a custom solution, tailored to you

Just fill out the form and someone from our team will get in touch with you to help you with a custom solution, tailored to you and your requirements.

*By submitting this form you agree to our friendly privacy policy.

Radical Thinking?
Impact & Insights

View All Blog Posts
Quality Digest Articles

Who We Are

Read More About Us

Akhilesh Gulati

MS, MBA, CSSBB
Founding Partner

Akhilesh helps organizations address quality and operations challenges through TRIZ, Lean, and process improvement strategies. With 25+ years of global consulting experience, he partners closely with clients across healthcare, manufacturing, and services to deliver measurable and lasting results.

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Alfredo Romero

MBA
Partner

Alfredo helps organizations grow through data-driven marketing strategies, operational insights, and business transformation. As Partner at PIVOT Management Consultants, he brings extensive leadership experience in B2B and B2C markets, guiding clients in achieving sustainable sales and market impact.

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Dan Brown, Quality Expert

Dan Brown

ASQ CQA
Quality & Compliance

Dan helps organizations strengthen quality and compliance across industries including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, warehousing, and machinery. With 30+ years of experience, he advises on auditing, quality systems, and operational excellence, and chairs ASQ Chicago’s Innovate for Excellence Summit.

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CG Mistry

MBA, MSQA, CMQ/OE, CSSBB
Quality & Business Excellence

Mistry brings 40+ years of extensive experience leading quality and business functions across Commercial, Aerospace, Defense, and nuclear industries. He has successfully directed plant and department startups, implemented Lean and Kaizen practices, and developed high-performing teams through training and mentoring programs.

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Nik Porfyris

M.A.P.S., CSSBB, PMP
Organizational Excellence & Improvement

Nik brings 30+ years of experience driving operational excellence and solving complex challenges across corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial environments. He has led major improvement initiatives, applied Lean Six Sigma and project management practices, and built strong quality frameworks through leadership, training, and mentoring.

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Rolf Biernath

PhD
Innovation & Product Development

Rolf brings 30+ years of experience at 3M, where he accelerated innovation and product development by integrating science, engineering, and technology. Holder of 55 US patents, he specializes in intellectual property and emerging technologies such as digital twins, with a focus on commercial impact.

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Ashu Rao

M.S. Mech. Engineering
Engineering & Project Management

Ashu brings 25+ years of engineering and project management experience in the Oil & Gas and energy industries, including 15 years in senior leadership roles. He has successfully managed complex projects from FEED through execution, with a proven ability to align priorities, control costs, and consistently deliver results.

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Jaime Chavez

MBA, CQE, CSSBB
Quality Systems

Jaime brings 20+ years of executive leadership in medical devices, helping companies fix and transform quality systems. His expertise spans CAPA, complaints, vigilance reporting, and post-market surveillance, and he advises clients on building inspection-ready systems that align compliance, business goals, and patient safety.

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Ken Eme

B.S Chemical Engineering
Manufacturing & Supply Chain Expert

Ken has 30+ years of experience at the senior leadership level in manufacturing, supply chain, operational excellence, process redesign, Lean, Six Sigma, and strategic planning in a variety of industries. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from University of Arizona.

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Bringing experience, creativity, and results to every engagement—yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

In Action – Over Two Decades of Impact

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We don’t just deliver insights—we deliver outcomes. Partner with PIVOTMC to turn your challenges into sustainable success.

Ready to break through constraints and achieve lasting results?

We will respond to all inquiries within 1-2 business days.

By submitting this form you agree to our friendly privacy policy.

Contact

Akhilesh Gulati

MS, MBA, CSSBB
Process / Operations Improvement
E-mail
LinkedIn
Quality Digest

Fun Fact:
Before consulting, Akhilesh sailed for eight years in the Merchant Marine, signing off as Chief Engineer. While pursuing his Six Sigma Master Black Belt, he also worked towards a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Expertise:

  • TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving)
  • Operational Excellence & Lean Six Sigma
  • Quality Management & Baldrige Framework
  • Change Management & Leadership Alignment

Highlights:

  • Published thought leadership in Quality Digest on TRIZ, Quality 4.0, and leadership frameworks.
  • Guided healthcare and manufacturing clients to Baldrige-level recognition and enterprise-wide Lean deployments.
  • University and executive educator in Six Sigma, TRIZ, and Operations.

Education & Certifications:

  • M.S., Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • MBA – UCLA Anderson School of Management
  • Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt
  • TRIZ Practitioner & Instructor

 

Alfredo Romero

MBA
Marketing, Sales & Operations Consultant
E-mail
LinkedIn

Education & Certification 

  • Economics, Pomona College – 
  • MBA, UCLA Anderson School of Management – 
  • Faculty Lecturer, Loyola Marymount University (Operations & Supply Chain Management Analytics) – 
  • Fractional Executive & Marketing Consultant (ALROM Marketing and PIVOT Management Consultants)

Expertise 

  • Strategic Marketing & Business Growth: Marketing strategy, global branding campaigns, product portfolio planning, new product development, customer segmentation, market research. – 
  • Sales & Revenue Optimization: Sales strategy, forecasting, pipeline management, channel development, B2B account management, lead generation, pricing strategy. – 
  • Operations & Process Improvement: Data-driven process analysis, lean value stream mapping, cross-functional leadership, inventory optimization, integration of sales and operations. 
  • Digital & Content Marketing: Digital marketing strategy, SEO, social media, content creation, campaign management, marketing automation. 
  • Advisory & Leadership: Fractional executive consulting, mentoring and training, teaching Operations and Supply Chain Management Analytics, strategic guidance for non-profits and businesses.

Highlights 

  • Led global branding campaigns and product line development resulting in double-digit sales growth. – 
  • Optimized operational processes and inventory management for improved profitability. – 
  • Developed and implemented e-commerce and digital marketing strategies for multiple companies. – 
  • Supported non-profit hospitals in early career and continues philanthropic engagement. – Avid musician playing tenor saxophone; enjoys baseball, blues, golf, and coffee.
Dan Brown, Quality Expert

Daniel J. Brown

ASQ, CQA
Quality & Compliance Consultant
E-mail
LinkedIn

Education & Certification

  • B.S. in Biology, Aurora University
  • Certificate in Quality Management in Manufacturing, DePaul University
  • ISO 9001, ISO 22000, ISO 13485 Lead Assessor Certifications, Stat-A-Matrix & AQS
  • Lead Auditor EU MDR (Axeon) and ISO 15378 (Quality System Compliance, LLC)
  • ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)
  • Senior Member, ASQ since 1993

Expertise

  • Quality management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 15378, FSSC 22000) – 
  • Internal, supplier, and registration auditing – 
  • Corrective & preventive actions (CAPA) and root cause analysis – 
  • Risk management, failure mode effects analysis (FMEA), and HACCP – 
  • Supplier management, project management, and quality system documentation – 
  • Training, mentoring, and seminar leadership for teams and organizations – 
  • Regulatory compliance and EU MDR auditing 

Highlights

  • Accredited as RABQSA Principal Auditor for ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016
  • One of the first auditors approved for ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016, developing training and transition programs for registrars and clients
  • Led quality system transitions and improvements for multiple industries, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices
  • Long-standing ASQ member and leader, contributing to standards development and training programs
  • Chair of ASQ Chicago Section 1201 Innovate for Excellence Summit

CG Mistry

MBA, MSQA, CMQ/OE, CSSBB
Quality and Business Professional
E-mail
LinkedIn

C.G.’s professional experience includes senior quality roles at Cameron (Facilities Quality Manager, 2011–2013), Ceradyne, Inc. (Quality Engineer, 2009–2011), Rockwell Collins (Senior Quality Engineer, 2006–2009), and DuPont Display Solutions (Quality Engineer, 2004–2006). He has consistently managed quality requirements, interfaced with customers and vendors, and driven continuous improvement initiatives across complex manufacturing environments. 

He holds an MBA from the University of La Verne and an MSQA from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He teaches quality management at CSU Dominguez Hills and Cal Poly Pomona; he also serves as a trainer for ASQ certification refresher courses in CMQ/OE, CQE, CQA, CSQP, and Six Sigma Green/Black Belt.

An ASQ Fellow and certified CMQ/OE, CQE, CQA, and CSSBB, C.G. has been an active ASQ member-leader since 1994. He has twice served as Section Chair of the San Gabriel Valley Section 702, acted as Regional Director for six years, and currently serves as Deputy Regional Director for the Pacific Region. In 2021, he was awarded the Simon Collier Award for outstanding contributions to the quality profession.

Nik Porfyris

M.A.P.S., CSSBB, PMP
Principal Consultant – Organizational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
E-mail
LinkedIn

Fun Fact:
Nik enjoys teaching Lean Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, and SPC, spending time with his grandchildren, and is an avid flyer.

Expertise:

  • Lean Six Sigma & Continuous Improvement
  • Project & Program Management (PMP)
  • Quality Management & Organizational Excellence
  • Crisis Decision-Making Frameworks
  • Mergers, Acquisitions & Turnarounds

Highlights:

  • Trained, mentored, and coached 500+ professionals in Lean Six Sigma, Project Management, and Continuous Improvement.
  • Facilitated multimillion-dollar strategic initiatives (>$20M) for organizations including Chase, Motorola, Abbott, and Discover.
  • Served as Vice President at Northern Trust for 4.5 years.
  • ASQ Chicago Section Chair and ASQ ConnEx Expert.

Education & Certifications:

  • M.A.P.S. – Applied Professional Studies, DePaul University
  • Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
  • ASQ Certified: Quality Manager/Organizational Excellence, Quality Auditor, Quality Engineer
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Certified Adult Educator

Rolf Biernath

PhD
Senior Consultant – Innovation, Product Development & Emerging Technologies
E-mail
LinkedIn

Fun Fact:
Rolf is passionate about applying design thinking to real-world challenges and has a long-standing curiosity about how science and technology can improve everyday life.

Expertise:

  • Product Development & Commercialization
  • Intellectual Property & Product Line Strategy
  • Digital Twins & Physics-Based Models
  • Lean Innovation & Design Thinking
  • Smart Manufacturing & Front-End Innovation

Highlights:

  • Inventor on 55 US patents spanning sensors, displays, adhesives, and microfluidics.
  • Developed IoT optical sensors, rugged outdoor LCD displays, and microfluidic films for medical applications.
  • Created cost models to demonstrate product value and simplify adoption of new technologies.
  • Guided cross-functional teams to bring innovations to market on time and within budget.

Education & Certifications:

  • PhD – Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
  • BChE – Georgia Institute of Technology

Industries & Specialties:

  • Materials & Manufacturing
  • Sensors & Electronics
  • Energy & Microfluidics
  • Generative AI Applications

Ashu Rao

M.S. Mechanical Engineering
Consultant – Engineering & Project Management
E-mail
LinkedIn

Languages:

  • Fluent in Russian

Expertise:

  • Project & Engineering Management (Oil, Gas & Energy)
  • FEED & Detailed Engineering Phases
  • Supplier Quality & Vendor Management
  • Mechanical Engineering (Steam & Gas Turbines)
  • Construction & Commissioning Support

Highlights:

  • Engineering Manager for Ammonia & Hydrogen Programs at Black & Veatch.
  • Senior Project Manager at WorleyParsons, leading large-scale downstream and upstream projects for Aramco, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and BP.
  • Specialized in gas compression plants, refinery modernization, clean fuels, and arctic hydrocarbon projects.
  • Pioneered integrally geared centrifugal compressors in syngas plant applications, optimizing synthesis gas and ammonia compression.

Education & Affiliations/Certifications:

  • M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Steam & Gas Turbines), P.F. University, Moscow
  • Diploma in Russian Language, P.F. University, Moscow
  • Member, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • Member, Institution of Gas Turbine and Diesel Engine Engineers, UK

Jaime Chavez

MBA, CQE, CSSBB, ISO 13485 Lead Auditor
Principal Advisor – Quality Systems, Regulatory Compliance & Continuous Improvement
E-mail
LinkedIn

Fun Fact:
Jaime has taught ASQ CQE and Six Sigma courses, blending his passion for quality and continuous improvement with real-world application. He believes quality is not just compliance—it’s the foundation for both patient safety and business growth

Expertise:

  • Quality System Remediation & Executive Advisory
  • Regulatory Inspection Readiness (FDA, ISO 13485, MDSAP, EU MDR)
  • CAPA Optimization & Complaint Handling Systems
  • Pos-market Surveillance & Vigilance Reporting
  • Corrections & Removals Governance
  • Risk Management & Quality Governance Frameworks
  • Strategic Planning & Organizational Alignment

Highlights:

  • Featured speaker on Pos-market Surveillance at FDA Headquarters (2016).
  • Advised MedTech leadership on resolving FDA 483s and warning letters through pos-market system transformation.
  • Eliminated significant complaint and CAPA backlogs via governance frameworks and executive oversight.
  • Guided global MedTech firms in implementing enterprise eQMS platforms (TrackWise, ETQ Reliance, Siebel).
  • Transformed global Corrections & Removals governance, accelerating resolution and closing overdue field actions.
  • Supported successful MDSAP and ISO 13485:2016 certifications with no major findings.

Education & Certifications:

  • MBA – Technology Management, University of Phoenix
  • BS – Manufacturing Engineering, University of Texas
  • Certified Quality Engineer (ASQ)
  • Certified ISO 13485 Lead Auditor (BSI)
  • Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (J&J)

Ken Eme

B.S. Chemical Engineering
Manufacturing & Supply Chain Expert
E-mail
LinkedIn

Fun Fact:

Ken has led numerous workshops on Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, integrating his extensive industry experience.

Expertise:
  • Strategy Development & Deployment
  • Process/Operations Improvement
  • Turnarounds
  • High Performance Team Culture Design/Implementation
Industries Served:
  • Consumer Products
  • Plumbing Fittings and Valves
  • Flexible (Plastic) Packaging
  • Paper Packaging
  • Irrigation Solutions
  • Aerospace
  • Non-Profit Organizations
Education:
  • BS in Chemical Engineering from University of Arizona