On a Bi-monthly basis the Los Angeles section of ASQC honors a member for their outstanding contributions to the society as well as for promoting the stature of the quality profession. For the January/February newsletters edition, the section is proud to honor Steve Kozich as its "Member Focus" recipient.

Perspective
Mr. Kozich has worked as a consultant to industry, education, government and public utilities since 1974. Prior to initiating his own consulting firm (1974) he held high level management positions in engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance and program management. As a consultant he has worked with firms in areas as diverse as rapid transit, medical devices and equipment and propulsion systems. As expressed by Steve, over the years his forte has become one of assisting corporations through corporate capability analysis to executive professional development. Steve is a Fellow of the College of Fellows of the Institute for the Advancement of Engineering (IAE), a Fellow of the American Society for Quality Control (ASQC), a registered Professional Engineer in the State of California and has received several society specific awards including but not limited to the coveted Eugene Grant Award and the Simon Collier Award. Apart from his quasi-retirement status, Steve currently serves on the Governor's Quality Award committee to the State of California and is a member of the State's Professional Quality Engineering Examining committee. As Steve's past has included assisting others, a natural progression for him included teaching at the university level. As an educator he has been published and is currently working on a second book on the subject of "Quality in the Manufacturing Process."

Introspection
Steve's interest in education includes the development of the Quality Technology Program at the Junior College level as well as the development of the Quality Assurance programs for Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. As past president of the Industry Division of the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT), he has worked diligently to bolster the curriculum and acceptance of the technology degree. Currently he serves as a member of NAIT's accreditation board, authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit technology programs at the college two-year level and the university four-year level.

Looking Forward
With his manufacturing and quality background Steve has become adept at improving processes. His vision of education in a quality setting has now taken him on the journey of individual improvement where knowledge rather than time has become the focal point. His research in this subject matter is currently being compiled to create a book titled "Individual Improvement--The Next Step after TQM." As he continues his journey of self-improvement, and broadening the reaches of the quality approach to the academic realm, the members of ASQC's L.A. Section would like to thank him for all of his support.

Thank you Steve for your professionalism and dedication to the society for so many years.