LCI Recognizes Walt Disney Imagineering With Annual Pioneer Award

ARLINGTON, VA--(Marketwired - Oct 1, 2014) - The Lean Construction Institute (LCI) today announced that its board of directors has voted unanimously to award the Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) organization the Pioneer Award, LCI's highest annual recognition. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has moved the design and construction industry forward in embracing and implementing Lean tools and techniques on capital projects.

LCI board chairman Michael Bade, Associate Vice Chancellor, Capital Programs, UC San Francisco, said, "We are very pleased to recognize Walt Disney Imagineering with our premier annual award for service to the industry and LCI. Disney truly embodies the spirit and purpose for which the award was established: their across the board commitment to promoting transformation of the design and construction industry through innovative Lean methods is unparalleled."

WDI's Craig Russell, former board member of LCI, actively supports WDI staff in undertaking leadership roles in LCI Communities of Practice and related public speaking opportunities, and personally continues to serve regularly and effectively as a spokesman for LCI in public forums of various kinds. Bill Seed currently represents WDI on the LCI board, is a previous Pioneer Award winner (in a previous role in industry), and like Russell maintains active outreach for LCI with owners and other organizations.

LCI Executive Director Dan Heinemeier said, "I am truly excited that we are extending this recognition to WDI for their many contributions to LCI and the Lean community. There is no more influential voice in encouraging companies to pursue the Lean journey than that of the owner, and Disney's outreach effort has been hugely effective in recruiting owner members to LCI and promoting industry transformation."

Michael Bade continued, "Disney has undertaken a no less pioneering role in its own Lean transformation efforts, introducing and implementing Lean principles on WDI projects both in the US and abroad. They have cultivated a community of lean-savvy suppliers and employees, and freely shared lessons learned with national and international Lean communities."

The 2014 Pioneer Award will be presented at an awards dinner during the 16th Annual Congress, LCI's largest annual event bringing together the Lean design and construction community for learning and networking. The Congress takes place October 7-10, 2014 in San Francisco.

About the Lean Construction Institute: LCI is a non-profit organization created in 1997. Its purpose is to transform the design and build environment through reforming production management in design, engineering and construction for capital facilities. LCI has developed the Lean Project Delivery System™ (LPDS) that applies Lean principles pioneered in manufacturing to construction. LPDS tools facilitate planning and control, maximize value, and minimize waste throughout the design and construction process. LCI's national headquarters is located in Arlington, VA.