Alan Leduc

The difference between failure and success is doing a thing nearly right and doing a thing exactly right.

Edward Simmons

My name is Alan Leduc.  I am an Associate Professor and began teaching in the Department of Industry and Technology in 1990. I  have taught the following courses during my tenure at Ball State:

That means that if you haven't had me as a instructor before; you are likely to have me in the future. If you want to know more about me, you can visit my web site.

How To Contact Me

The best way to contact me is by clicking on this   button. I can answer my email from both my home and the office, so this is the easiest way for you to get a prompt response. Always send email to aleduc@bsu.edu and a copy to amleduc@insightbb.com if you want a more immediate answer. Do not use the reply button. If I have answered your email from my home machine and you use reply, the message will not be viewable from my office machine. This means that I must forward the message to my office in order to have a record (extra work for me) and if I am at my office when you reply, I will not see the message until I return home (delay for you). If I am available, I will respond promptly. If I don't respond promptly, I am generally not available. 

My office is AT130C, inside the CAD laboratory. Feel free to stop by anytime during posted hours or if you see me in my office with the door open. You may also make an appointment if you have special needs. In the event you want to make an appointment outside normal office hours, send me an email stating the times that you will be available and I will get back to you.

My office telephone is 765-285-5650. Note, if I am away from my office or on the telephone you will receive my voice mail. Just because you get my voice mail does not mean that I am not available. I may just be on the telephone.

The office fax number is 765-285-2162.

My home telephone number is 765-593-1664. Please do not call before 8:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. On weekends and holidays, no calls before 10:00 a.m. please. I will do my best to help you from home; but, I may not have all of my resources available. 

Office Hours

I will try to always post messages here if I know that I am going to be unavailable during scheduled office hours. You are welcome to drop by my office at any time; however, it is best if you send an email in advance that indicates a time when you will be stopping by and the issue that you need to discuss. This will allow me to make sure that there is no conflict and allow me time to review your question before you arrive.

If you want to make an appointment with me outside of office hours:

• You must make the appointment the day before unless it is an emergency.  

• Send me an email:

  • Identify the times you can meet

  • Identify the class with which the meeting is in regard

  • Identify the assignment or item of discussion

Letter from Alumnus

Mr. Leduc,

I am not sure if you remember me or not but, my name is alumnus and I graduated in 1993. (Has it really been 7 years ago?) As a "Where Are They Now" : I am the Production Resource Leader for company. I manage the Grey Iron Machining Department, machining the block and the head for the engine. I have 150 hourly employees and 15 salary (Team Leader) employees that report to me. I have had several positions with the company since graduation from BSU. I began as an intern in Mfg. Engineering while still in school and was hired as a contract engineer upon graduation. I then took a full time position in mfg. as a Mfg. Team Leader (Foreman) on the machining lines. Due to my knowledge with computers and programming I became the Systems Engineer for the team programming the machines as well as developing databases. Two years ago, I was promoted to a Production Coordinators role, learning the role of the Resource Leader. This year, with other changes in the organization, I was promoted again to the Resource Leader position. 

I am writing for one to say hello and also to thank you for the influence that you had with me during my student career at Ball State. I can still remember, going to your office and asking you for help with problems, and your response that made me upset at the time of looking at a book behind you and saying "I think the answer is in here". While that upset me at times, today I see the value in learning how to best use your resources and applying them. I recently hired another former student of yours, another alumnus. He is a recent graduate. As I interviewed him, I noticed that he had attended Ball State and with the same degree. I asked him, before I told him that I had also attended BSU, if Dr. Baldwin would have good things to say about him. He stated that he probably would but, would refer me to you as a better source and stated that you had a great amount of impact on him in his student career as well. Another alumnus has been with us for a few months and is doing well in his new role.

This will probably grab you strange if you don't remember me but, regardless, it is always nice to get feedback on the good work that you have done. Knowing that you have made a difference in other peoples lives and are appreciated for it.

*********************************************

My commentary. I do not always get the type of student evaluations that I would like. Sometimes my personality does not appear to be that friendly. However, you will always find my door open and my home telephone number listed on the web site and in the Ball State index. I do however, have a prejudice. I am willing go out of my way to help those students who want to learn; but, have little patience for students who are looking for quick answers and an easy way out. Homework is an assessment tool, so I won't work the homework problems for you until after they have been evaluated. My goal is long term. What I really care about is whether in the long term, I have provided the foundation that will allow you to grow and be successful in your future. I get a letter like this about every year or so. I can't explain how joyous I feel when I get them. Most would say that my courses are challenging or even difficult. However, most (not all) students will tell you that I go out of my way to be fair.

Resume of Alan M. Leduc

1343 Q Avenue, New Castle, IN 47362
765-593-1664
aleduc@bsu.edu

I have a well-rounded background having held positions in the areas of general management, manufacturing, engineering, and post-secondary education. Personal commitment and dedication combined with the ability to grasp situations, perceive relationships, analyze data, understand, teach and develop people, and work within all levels and areas of an organization has resulted in a record of progressive responsibility and achievement. I left industry to teach at a time when my children were growing up in order to spend more time with my family. It has allowed the opportunity to develop writing and communication skills and a strong background in manufacturing theory. More importantly it has allowed me an opportunity to share my knowledge with many excellent young people.

Education

Employment

Teach courses in the Department of Industry and Technology for the Manufacturing Engineering Technology program (B.S. which is ABET accredited). I have served as program coordinator and student advisor as well as having been one of the more diversified faculty. My diversified background has allowed me to teach eleven different technical courses in: Manufacturing Management, Quality Control, Automation and CIM, 3-D modeling and design, and more.

•  Total accountability for production, material, and engineering activities of a multi-plant manufacturing operation.

• Initiated and actively supervised aggressive product engineering and development program geared to accomplish release of new products at nine-month intervals.  

•  Responsible for day to day senior labor management activities.

• Senior management member of negotiating team responsible for negotiating contract between the Company and United Auto Workers (UAW).

• Direct responsibility for planning and organizing plant shut-down and integration of operations into another facility.

• Served as company’s technical expert for litigation.

• Developed computer models for engineering computations and budget development and analysis.

• Bottom line accountability off-site manufacturing subsidiary with direct responsibility for manufacturing, material, engineering, and customer service activities.

• Successfully managed manufacturing subsidiary though extreme growth period using entry level management team which allowed corporation to attain record profits.

• Turned around the subsidiary which was purchased out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Three previous General Managers failed at this attempt from the time of acquisition.

• Reorganized the company so that it would have the capability to design and manufacture custom equipment.

•  Implemented installation of computer based production control and costing program (APICS).

• Sole responsibility for the companies first military contract from first article to conclusion of the contract.

• Investigated numerous accidents and participated in the company’s defense of product liability suits as the company’s expert technical witness. 

Manager, Engineering                                                                                              Lift-A-Loft Corporation
February 1982 to June 1984                                                                                                          Muncie, IN

·   Managed product and manufacturing engineering including documentation control, production control, and quality control activities for the companies two manufacturing facilities.

·   Managed and introduced into production various new development and product improvement projects.

·   Assisted customers in the automotive, construction, and aircraft industries in developing criteria and specifications for custom equipment.

·   Supervised and actively participated in the design and manufacture of custom machines.

·   Responsible for first article development of equipment for military contract.

·   Developed the companies first quality manual conforming to MIL-I-45208.

·   Evaluated compatibility of engineering specifications with applicable codes.

·   Implemented computer based production control and costing program (APICS), including the establishment of: shop order processing and control procedures; reorder points; economic order quantities; routings, and manufacturing standards.

·   Developed format for Operation, Maintenance, and Parts Manuals and established program for developing and maintaining manuals for all products.

·   Completed interrogatories and provided support to legal counsel relative to product liability concerns.

Manufacturing Engineering and Control Manager                                              Lift-A-Loft Corporation
October 1979 to February 1982                                                                                                     Muncie, IN

·   Developed and implemented engineering change program.

·   Developed data necessary for computer based item master file and structured bills of material for all product lines.

·   Supervised updating and checking of engineering drawings for conformance with current manufacturing practices and structured bills of materials.

·   Evaluated and coordinated special orders in terms of ability to produce, cost, and compliance with engineering specifications.

·   Serve as operations liaison with the data processing group.

·   Developed and implemented quality assurance program.

·   Developed and administered bargaining unit testing program for determining competence in job classifications.

·   Prepared capitalization requests for all capital items procured for the company’s operations group.

·   Developed manufacturing standards utilized to develop labor cost attributable to fabricated components.

·   Prepared several plant and work center layouts and performed numerous methods studies for both fabrication and assembly areas.

 General Forman                                                                                                        Lift-A-Loft Corporation
January 1979 to October 1979                                                                                                       Muncie, IN

·   Responsible for day to day activities of manufacturing facilities.

·   Reduced the number of bargaining unit employees by 29% and the number for foremen by 40% while maintaining production levels.

·   Responsible for order entry, preparation of monthly production schedules, maintaining proper balance between manpower and workload, and utilization of manpower.  

Structural Engineering Technician                                                                              Arsee Engineering
May 1975 to January 1979                                                                                                      Indianapolis, IN

·   Prepared structural drawings and performed engineering calculations for wood, steel, and concrete buildings.

·   Worked two years as part of a project team responsible for structural drawings, site work, equipment layout, and railway sidings for a new manufacturing facility.  

Drafter                                                                                                               American Precast Concrete
April 1974 to May 1975                                                                                                            Indianapolis, IN

·   Interpretation of specifications and preparation of fabrication drawings for submittal to architects, contractors, and engineers for approval and subsequent use in manufacturing.

·   Prepared material lists for purchasing department.

·   Assisted  Production Manager in preparation of production schedules.

·   Assisted Estimator in preparation of bids.  

Office Manager                                                                                           Modernfold of Washington, Inc.
July 1973 to April 1974                                                                                                      Silver Springs, MD

·   Served as liaison between sales staff and manufacturer.

·   Expedited orders placed with manufacturer.

·   Scheduled erection crews.

·   Handled backcharges and warranty claims against manufacturer.  

Sales Service                                                                                                                       Modernfold, Inc.
May 1972 to July 1973                                                                                                             New Castle, IN

·   Worked in sales department as a liaison and expeditor of dealer orders.

·   Assisted dealers in evaluating specifications.

·   Responsible for costing of special orders.

Drafter                                                                                                                                    Modernfold, Inc
May 1975 to January 1979