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]
Paul Akers | |
|---|---|
 Akers teaching workers at FastCap | |
| Born | May 7, 1960 |
| Other names | Paul A. Akers |
| Alma mater | Biola University |
| Occupation(s) | Author, business owner, YouTuber |
| Notable work | 2 Second Lean, Lean Health, Lean Travel, Lean Life, Banish Sloppiness |
| Spouse | Leanne Akers |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | paulakers |
Career
editAkers 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]
Political life
editIn 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]
References
edit- ^ "Sweet future of industry". Archived from the original on 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
- ^ Olenski, Steve (7 October 2013). "What Every Marketer Can Learn By Going Lean". Forbes.
- ^ "Fastcap Founder Paul Akers – A Bellingham Innovator - Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism". Bellingham.org. 2017-05-29. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
- ^ a b "Fast and Lean: The FastCap Story". Archived from the original on 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
- ^ "The American Innovator". YouTube. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
- ^ Graban, Mark (2010-10-14). "A Breath of Lean Positivity - Paul Akers and FastCap – Lean Blog". Leanblog.org. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
- ^ "Bellingham entrepreneur Paul Akers sets his sights on U.S. Senate". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
- ^ "August 17, 2010 Primary - Federal". Washington Secretary of State. 21 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-08-21.
External links
edit- "Paul Akers Bio" (PDF). paulakers.net. (Self-published)