Ultrasound World V (2009)

Ultrasound World V Program Abstracts

Abstract:  More and more companies are feeling the symptoms of the maintenance crisis. Deferred maintenance is reaching chronic levels as current equipment continues to age. While sophisticated, new equipment needs more care, attention and custom configuration. Companies are struggling to find internal talent that has the skills and education to replace the retiring baby boomers. Attend this session to discover some proven solutions to this crisis, discuss innovative approaches to thrive in this adverse business environment.

The average age of hundreds of thousands of maintenance people across the globe is 48. Many of the boomer generation have started to retire, leaving empty maintenance positions unfilled. Companies are facing a challenge in finding qualified workers to fill these vacancies. With no one to fix broken pipes, frayed wires, aging equipment, and few who understand how to support modern automation technologies, nations are finding themselves in what Joel Leonard has coined, "The Maintenance Crisis."

Bio:  Joel Leonard, Host, SkillTV.net . 
A former vice-president of the Association for Facilities Engineering, Joel is taking the lead internationally in identifying, explaining and helping to solve the Maintenace Crisis problem.  As a result of his efforts, Joel was appointed to the United States Council on Competitiveness, a national think-tank whose purpose is to work with legislators and the White House to inform policy decisions that lead to effective strategies for economic development.  Internationally, corporate and govenmental leaders are seeking Joel's advice and he has been interviewed on National Public Radio and CNBC.

Joel has been a contributing columnist for Plant Services Magazine for the past five years. In 2008, he received the Gold Award for his column in Plant Services Magazine from the American Society of Business Publications Editors.

Joel has often presented at and been the keynote speaker at national and international conventions since 1998. In 2008, he was the first American to deliver the opening address at the Euro Maintenance conference in Belgium.