The University of Alabama in Huntsville – Center for Management and Economic Research Center’s Faculty and Staff expertise are varied and utilized across all four of CMER’s major offices of research: Alabama Technology Network (a NIST-MEP center providing applied solutions); Freight, Logistics, and Transportation; Supply Chain Management; and Strategic Management Services. In addition, CMER hosts the administrative staff offices for two partner business organizations with statewide missions, the Alabama Aerospace Industry Association (AAIA) , and the Alabama Automotive Manufacturing Association (AAMA).
We encourage you to review the Faculty and Staff listing by major areas of expertise to identify specific members of CMER that match a potential research need. Brief bios are available by clicking on the individual staff member’s name. Full curricula vitae are available upon request.
CMER Director
CMER Director
Nicholas Loyd, Ph.D.
Dr. Loyd is the Director of the Center for Management and Economic Research (CMER) and Director of the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. In addition, Loyd has over 15 years of experience implementing Lean production systems. He is a certified trainer by both the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and MIT’s Lean Advancement Initiative. Loyd has trained thousands of executives, managers, engineers, and operators in the principles of Lean Enterprise. Loyd is also a certified Six Sigma black belt and a certified Innovation Engineering black belt.
CMER Staff
Allison Moore | (256) 824-2667
Research Offices: ATN, FLT
Allison has been with UAH for eight years and is the budget analyst for the Center for Management and Economic Research (CMER). She handles all the financial aspects of CMER along with proposals and contracts. Allison has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from The University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Emily Pate | (256) 824-5326
CMER Research Office: Alabama Technology Network (ATN)
Ms. Pate is a media and marketing specialist for the Center for Management and Economic Research (CMER) and supports the ATN center. She handles the marketing aspects of the center including website maintenance, training registration & preparation, promotion, videography, photography, and graphics. Ms. Pate has a Bachelor’s degree from UAH in Marketing with a minor in Studio Art.
Lauren Heikkinen
Research Office: FLT
Lauren is a Research Scientist in the Office for Freight, Logistics, and Transportation at UAHuntsville. She has seven years of experience in transportation and logistics related research. Lauren earned an M.S. in Management of Technology from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2007 and a B.S. in Marketing from Auburn University in 2001.
Lynsey Delane | (256) 824-6407
CMER Research Office: Alabama Technology Network (ATN), Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association (AAMA)
Ms. Delane is a research assistant at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). Lynsey has been with UAH CMER since 2013. She coordinates and supports membership and events for the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association (AAMA). Lynsey graduated from UAH in 2002 with a BSBA in Marketing. In 2003, she joined the Center for Management of Science & Technology (CMOST) at UAH where she worked to provide administrative and research support to the Center’s government contracts.
Jeff Siniard |Email
CMER Research Office: Alabama Technology Network (ATN)
Mr. Siniard is a Lean Enterprise Research Scientist at the University of Alabama in Huntsville with over 35 years’ experience in manufacturing. He has trained hundreds of executives, managers, engineers and operators in Lean Enterprise principles and he has conducted over 400 Kaizen events for manufacturers, service providers and seaports throughout the United States, Canada and Western Europe. Jeff has extensive expertise in implementing and developing training for the application of Lean principles for manufacturing facilities, office processes and port operations. Jeff has seventeen years’ experience in the field of Lean Enterprise, five years of experience as a plant manager, eight years of experience as a plant superintendent and four years of experience as a maintenance superintendent. Jeff is a certified NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Lean Manufacturing Trainer, a MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) certified Lean Aerospace instructor, an LAI Lean Healthcare certified Trainer, and is a certified Trainer in the field of Practical Energy. Jeff has B.B.A. in Management of Technology from Athens State University.
Jeff Thompson | Email
Research Offices: ATN
Industry Association: AAIA
Jeff is Executive Director for the Alabama Aerospace Industry Association. He specializes in the analysis of systems for finance, accounting, strategic planning, management, and information processes. Jeff is responsible for leading the delivery and development of strategic management services to companies, community organizations, economic development entities, and government agencies. Jeff has experience in corporate finance, management consulting, and operations of business service organizations beginning in 1980. He has served in the roles of chief operations officer, director of business consulting, manager of small business and research programs, corporate financial planning supervisor, and project financial specialist. In these roles, he has been responsible for the corporate operations, finance, board of directors relations, investor relations, customer service, human resources, sales, and new development programs as well as managing the development of business and strategic plans including reporting of monthly progress to the plan. Jeff holds an M.B.A. from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and a B.S. in accounting from the University of Alabama.
Karen Yarbrough| (256) 824-6906
CMER Research Offices: Alabama Technology Network (ATN), Freight, Logistics and Transportation (FLT), Strategic Management Services (SMS)
Ms. Yarbrough is the Senior Business Advisor within the Center for Management & Economic Research. She specializes in marketing research, strategic business communications, and management consulting. She has served in the role of president, chief financial officer, and partner in several marketing and management consulting companies. She has worked with a range of clients from high-tech computer and engineering companies to small retail operations since 1982. Yarbrough holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Alabama.