Draft:Frederick J. Michel

Frederick J. Michel, Biography

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 parents

and 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