Emily Finney

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE II, S1

 SST 145
 256.824.5326
emily.pate@uah.edu

Biography

Ms. Pate is a media and marketing specialist for the Center for Management and Economic Research (CMER) and supports the ATN center. She has worked with CMER for six years. She handles the marketing aspects of the center including website maintenance, training registration & preparation, promotion, videography, photography, and graphics. Ms. Pate earned a Bachelor’s degree from UAH in Marketing in 2013 and a second bachelor’s from UAH in Studio Art in 2019.

Education

• B.A., Studio Art, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, 2019
• B.S., Marketing, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, 2013

Certifications

• Technology-Driven Market Intelligence & Technology Scouting, 2017
• Research Data Management and Sharing, 2016

 Jeff Siniard

RESEARCH SCIENTIST VI

 SST 141
 256.824.6202
jeff.siniard@uah.edu

Biography

Jeff Siniard is the Lean Enterprise Research Scientist at the Center for Management and Economic Research, where he has trained hundreds of executives, managers, engineers and operators in Lean Enterprise principles and he has conducted over 500 Kaizen events for manufacturers and service providers throughout the United States, Canada, and Western Europe.

Siniard’s experience and leadership has resulted in millions of dollars of impacts and hundreds of jobs created or retained for clients in industries as diverse as automotive, steel fabrication and distribution, aerospace, medical, and flexible packaging. Jeff was also a pioneer in developing Lean services for seaport operations.

Prior to joining CMER, Jeff was the Plant Manager for Martin Industries and was responsible for the organization’s Athens site including day-to-day operations, finance and budgeting. logistics and supply chain, and making hiring decisions.

Education

• B.S., Management of Technology, Athens State University

Certifications

• Toyota Production System Support Center for Top Management
• Toyota Kata Coaching
• NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Lean Manufacturing Trainer

Jeff Thompson

Research Scientist VI, S3

jeff.thompson@uah.edu

Biography

Jeff Thompson is an experienced business development professional working with small and medium sized enterprises in urban and rural areas of Alabama. His work includes specialized industry research to assist communities, government organizations, and private companies with growth initiatives. Projects include economic impact analyses, industry profiles, innovation market research, and strategic planning for all types of organizations.

Jeff is experienced in economic development, corporate finance, management consulting, applied research, and managing business organizations. He has served in the roles of chief operations officer, executive director of an industry association, director of small business development, manager of small business and research programs, corporate financial planning, and research scientist. He regularly interacts with local businesses and business groups in north Alabama.

Jeff holds an M.B.A. from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and a B.S. in accounting from the University of Alabama.

Education

• M.A., Finance and Management Systems, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1986
• B.S., Accounting, The University of Alabama, 1980

Certifications

• Certificate of Management Accounting (1985-1991)

Karen Yarbrough

RESEARCH SCIENTIST III

 SST 143
 256.824.6906
karen.yarbrough@uah.edu

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.