With an impressive background in manufacturing, Shannon brings a wealth of experience from his work with the Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP). He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Technology from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and dual Master’s Degrees in Human Relations and Business Administration from Amberton University. Shannon is highly skilled in leadership development, Lean, Six Sigma, and quality management systems, making him an excellent resource for manufacturers in the Nashville region. 

Tim Waldo is a Workforce Consultant with the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS), assisting Tennessee manufacturers with workforce and workplace development opportunities. His passion for helping people discover their potential has been a primary motivator over a career including more than 17 years in the manufacturing sector and multiple years in the service sector. Through those years, Tim has had the opportunity to recruit, train, and manage multiple teams. 

In 2012, he shifted his career focus exclusively to workforce development, first in the nonprofit sector, then in 2017, joining UT CIS. In these roles, he has helped to launch new initiatives; a pre-apprenticeship training program for marginalized audiences; and, with UT CIS, a strategic shift toward workplace development efforts. Tim earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Tusculum College and from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in Educational Psychology focused on adult education. Living in east Tennessee affords Tim and his wife, Carol, plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.

Dr. Temple is the Solutions Consultant for West Tennessee based in Jackson. In this role, he works with regional manufacturers to provide consulting and training in areas such as workforce development, quality, and continuous improvement with the purpose of assisting West Tennessee companies remain competitive in today’s global market.

Prior to his current role, he served in the role of an Economic Development Specialist within the UT CIS organization. Dr. Temple is heavily involved in serving his community and has served as an advisor to the City of Jackson Tornado Recovery Task Force, Impact Chairman with the West Tennessee United Way Board of Directors, Chairman of the Jackson Affordable Housing CDC, and West Tennessee Human Resource Agency Board of Directors.  Currently, he serves as the Vice Chairman of the City of Jackson Housing Development Authority, Jackson/Madison County Industrial Development Board, American Institute for Certified Planners (AICP), Tennessee American Planning Association (TAPA) and WestStar (Class of 2009). He also serves as an adjunct professor for Union University.

Dr. Temple holds a BS in Public Administration and an MBA both from the University of Tennessee at Martin and an Ed.D in Higher Education Administration from the University of Memphis.

As a Solutions Consultant for the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services, Gordon is based in the Upper Cumberland Region of Tennessee. Gordon has senior level management experience with a strong track record in cultivating customer relationships, leading successful project teams, and managing resources and finances. With five years in Supply Chain Management and twenty-six years in Project and Program Management across diverse industries including Automotive, Medical, Aerospace, Defense, Consumer, and Industrial Electronics, he excels in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Project/Program Management, Account Management, and Business Development. 

Gordon earned his BSBA in Production and Operations Management from Tennessee Technological University. When he is not serving manufacturing clients, Gordon enjoys wood working, being outdoors, camping, hiking, kayaking, and fishing.

Dwaine Raper is Director of the Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program at the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services(CIS), serving Tennessee manufacturing companies to help them improve performance and profitability, and grow.  Dwaine is passionate about manufacturing and is a champion for manufacturing in the state.  Before joining CIS in 2007, Dwaine gained 15 years of manufacturing operations and supply chain management experience with companies in the automotive and electronics industries.  Dwaine holds two business degrees from East Tennessee State University (MBA and BBA).  He also maintains three professional certifications; Certified Production and Inventory Manager (CPIM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), and Certified Public Manager (CPM).