Production and Inventory Control Instructors (The Tseng College)

The distinguished instructors in this program have each earned the designation of CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management). They are leaders in their field, with numerous years of experience in a wide range of industries. Each instructor has received special training related to adult learning, and has observed the course being taught by a seasoned instructor. Many have taught more than one of the courses in the program, thus are able to integrate the material from course to course. Following is a partial list that reflects the skill and experience you can expect in our instructors.

Benton J. Au, CPIM, MSEE: Benton J. Au, CPIM, MSEE has more than 25 years of experience in various manufacturing environments, including automobiles, automatic testing equipment, medical devices, construction and gaming. In his current position as vice president of operations for DiamondGame in Chatsworth, Au leads the assembly, engineering, field service, and materials handling functions. He also has experience in managing customer service, finance, human resources, marketing, information systems and sales functions. Au is an APICS-certified instructor and an active member of the San Fernando Valley APICS Chapter. He received both his bachelor’s and master's degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California.
Rocco Covella, CPIM: Rocco Covella, CPIM, has more than 15 years of experience in consumer products, forecasting and supply chain management.
Dave W. Damian, CPIM: Dave W. Damian, CPIM, is a master scheduler and program manager with PerkinElmer Optoelectronics in Covina. He has nearly 20 years of experience in manufacturing production planning and purchasing, both in the aerospace and commercial markets. Damian has led or been a part of master resource planning implementations with several organizations and has been associated with APICS since 1989. He received his bachelor's degree in Organizational Management from The Master's College in Santa Clarita.
Robert Googooian, CPIM: Senior information systems analyst, Honeywell International in Torrance

Robert Googooian, CPIM, is senior information systems analyst for Honeywell International in Torrance. He has 20 years of experience in production planning and supervision, warehousing and inventory control. Googoosian recently served as project leader for the rollout of a point-of-use wireless warehouse management system at Honeywell's Torrance plant.
Robert Jacalone, CPIM: Bob Jacalone, CPIM, has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of materials management, production and inventory control, and project management for a variety of aerospace and defense-related companies.
John Kozma, CPIM: Materials manager at New Hampshire Ball Bearing

John Kozma, MBA, CPIM, is materials manager for New Hampshire Ball Bearing in Chatsworth. He has more than 20 years of experience in materials management, production and inventory control, procurement and project management in a variety of manufacturing industries. Kozma earned his bachelor's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his master's in business administration from Pepperdine University.
Jim Strong, CPIM, CPM, M.S.: Independent Consultant

Jim Strong, CPIM, CPM, M.S., is an independent consultant, specializing in operations and supply management. He has more than 20 years of manufacturing management experience in both commercial and aerospace industries. Strong is a past president of APICS, Ventura County, and served for three years as APICS Region VII, director of education. He is a past president of NAPM, San Fernando Valley, and a frequent speaker at professional development events. Strong has taught purchasing and operations management certificate courses at CSUN and other local educational institutions.
John Sturgell, MBA, CPIM: Supply chain manager for Precision Dynamics Corporation

John Sturgell, MBA, CPIM, is supply chain manager for Precision Dynamics Corporation and has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, aerospace and electronics manufacturing. He has been an instructor for the San Fernando and Los Angeles chapters of APICS for more than 10 years.

* The Professional Engineer designation is earned through the successful completion of an eight-hour industrial engineering examination.

** The CIRM (Certified in Integrated Resource Management) designation is earned through successful completion of an examination administered by APICS.