Paul Akers | |
|---|---|
 Akers teaching workers at FastCap | |
| Born | May 7, 1960 |
| Other names | Paul A. Akers |
| Alma mater | Biola University |
| Occupation | Author, business owner, YouTuber |
Notable work | 2 Second Lean, Lean Health, Lean Travel, Lean Life, Banish Sloppiness |
| Spouse(s) | Leanne Akers |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | paulakers |
Paul Andre Akers is an American author and businessman. [1] Akers is the founder and president of FastCap, a product development company that specializes in woodworking tools. [2]
Akers started building guitars with his mentor Bob Taylor at Taylor Guitars and Musical Instruments in California right out of high school. He then graduated with a degree in education from Biola University and started his career in inner-city ministry in the Los Angeles area as a pastor with his wife Leanne. [3] He worked as a teacher, and then as a carpenter.
In his garage in 1997, Akers developed his first product: the FastCap. It was a technique to cover and hide screw holes with a tiny adhesive cap that blends in with the wood around it. That idea turned into a manufacturing business. Overwhelmed with a multitude of tasks, personnel, and major financial decisions he faced on a daily basis, Akers began using the concepts of Lean manufacturing and the Toyota Production System (TPS), which he credits for propelling FastCap forward. [4]
Akers is also an author, lean teacher, YouTuber, [5] [6] and works as a speaker and consultant offering advice to companies and organizations. [4]
In 2010 Akers set his sights on politics, running for the US Senate in Washington as a Republican. [7] He was defeated in the primary by Dino Rossi. [8]
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The University of Calgary started in 1944 as the Calgary branch of the University of Alberta, founded in 1908, prior to being instituted into a separate, autonomous university in 1966. It is composed of 14 faculties and over 85 research institutes and centres. The main campus is located in the northwest quadrant of the city near the Bow River and a smaller south campus is located in the city centre. The main campus houses most of the research facilities and works with provincial and federal research and regulatory agencies, several of which are housed next to the campus such as the Geological Survey of Canada. The main campus covers approximately 200 hectares.
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