Conference Agenda
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Pre-Conference Workshops
Registration and Breakfast
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM CT
Welcome
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM CT
Morning Workshops
8:15 AM – 11:45 AM CT
W-A1 | The Trust Equation: Team Building in the Face of VUCA
Presented by: Will Schoch, HCA Healthcare
W-B1 | Surpassing Assumptions: Building Clarity Through SIPOC
Presented by: Craig Green and Vonny Nguyen, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
W-C1 | Beyond Buy-In: Driving Change with Engagement That Matters
Presented by: Michelle Stidwell, Knowledge Works Group, LLC
Networking Lunch
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM CT
Afternoon Workshops
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM CT
W-A2 |Recognize, Examine, and Action Plan: A Systematic Approach for Surviving (and Thriving!) Through VUCA
Presented by: Will Schoch, HCA Healthcare
W-B2 | Surpassing Limitations: Using AI to Build Processes and Improve Your Baldrige Application
Presented by: Craig Green and Vonny Nguyen, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Excellence Celebration Dinner & Awards
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM CT
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Thursday, February 26, 2026
Conference Day: Breakout Sessions
Registration and Breakfast
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM CT
Welcome
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM CT
Opening Keynote
8:15 AM – 9:15 AM CT
Opening Keynote | Leading in “Times Like These”
Presented by: Major General Vincent E. Boles, U.S. Army, Retired
Break
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM CT
Breakout Sessions A
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM CT
A1 | Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Organizational Resilience in Uncertain Times
Presented by: Michelle Stidwell, Knowledge Works Group, LLC
A2 | Getting Started with Baldrige: A Winner’s Journey Through the 7 Categories
Presented by: Douglas Wong, NHC South Central Region
A3 | Scouting for Solutions: Problem-Solving as a Team
Presented by: Chad Arcand, OpEx Creative and University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services
Break
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM CT
Breakout Sessions B
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM CT
B1 | Data Visualizations That Help You Tell Your Story
Presented by: Daniel Clark, West Cancer Center and Research Institute
B2 | Excellence Under Pressure: Applying TNCPE Principles in Flood Recovery
Presented by: John Fredericks, Kala Allen, Joseph Wigington, Erwin Utilities Authority
B3 | Decoding Stress: Leveraging DISC Styles for Stronger Team Dynamics
Presented by: Diana Bryant, Tennessee Valley Public Power Association
Lunch
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM CT
Afternoon Keynote
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM CT
Keynote Panel | Leading Through Chaos: Real-World Lessons from Tennessee’s Front Lines
Facilitated by: Chris Gray, Griffin Mechanical; Lee Brown, Erwin Utilities Authority; Tony Benton, Tennova Healthcare; Chris Beaulieu, Cummins, Inc.
Break
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM CT
Breakout Sessions C
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM CT
C1 | Acclimate and Cultivate: How Great Leaders Keep Their People Longer
Presented by: Cara Silletto, Magnet Culture
C2 | Baldrige Breakthroughs: What’s New, What’s Next
Presented by: Lila Holt and Rob Rouzer, TNCPE and Baldrige Master Examiners
C3 | AI in Regulated Environments: An Executive’s Guide
Presented by: Marcus Blair, Omega Digital Solutions
Break
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM CT
Baldrige Networking Activity
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CT
Networking Activity | Trailblazing through Results: Finding the Insights Path
Facilitated by: Lila Holt and Rob Rouzer, TNCPE and Baldrige Master Examiners
REGISTER TODAY!