About the Quest Staff

"Yes", Quest is knowledge. Even more importantly, Quest is people. Here is a little about the people at Quest, the people you will interface with. The people who commit to your success.

Eric L. Herzog, Ph.D.

Dr. Herzog has 20+ years experience as a consultant and educator in structural and operational change, strategic planning, team building, productivity and executive development. Eric’s formal education was at Johns Hopkins and the MIT Sloan School of Management, where he received his doctorate.

His consulting and training clients include high technology, manufacturing, and distribution companies and the military, retail chains, banks, hospitals, governments, utilities and major oil companies.

Eric is the author of many articles, speaks frequently at industry trade conferences, and is day-to-day involved with Quest clients and their needs. A letter from Eric Herzog

Paul G. Allman

Paul is a recognized leader in the field of Employee Development Training and Organizational Development Strategies, with over 20 years of “hands-on” experience. Paul currently serves clients in Manufacturing, Aerospace, Entertainment and Service Industries.

He has extensive experience in planning, developing and presenting Management and Employee Skill Development courses and programs. He has conducted in-house programs providing businesses with the resources to effectively deal with employee development challenges such as Communication, Motivation, Leadership, and Team Building. Paul has also developed several successful programs including Project Management and Continuous Process Improvement to deal with complex organizational issues and challenges.

Previously, Mr. Allman developed and implemented technical and management training systems at Northrop. He was responsible for educating over 6,000 participants per year; including curriculum planning, course development, organizational procedures, employee staffing, and facility management.

Paul has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and an M.A. from the University of Uppsala, Sweden.

Patti Anesetti, M.S.

Ms. Anesetti offers over 18 years’ experience in consulting, leadership development, and sales training.  She develops HRD strategies and programs in leadership, sales, operations, performance management, negotiation customer service, and motivation for the classroom as well as e-learning and distance learning.  Patti is an excellent facilitator and Executive Coach.  She has worked with Manufacturers, Chase, and Prudential.  She has undergraduate degrees in Business and Education and a M.S. in Educational Technology.  Patti is certified in Distance Learning and numerous professional programs, and is an officer in the Northern NJ chapter of ASTD.

Frank Aranda

Frank Aranda specializes in Continuous Quality Improvement, Lean Manufacturing and Operations, Leadership, Blueprint Reading, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance, Basic Shop Math, Customer Service and more.

He has written training manuals and consulted on Lean, Six-Sigma methodology, Statistical Process Control, Team Building, Leadership, Presentations, Negotiations, Management Skills, Vocational English as a Second Language, Spanish for Supervisors, and Customer Service Training in Spanish and English.

Frank was the Director of Manufacturing for vibration isolation systems that include machine shop, bonding, assembly, testing and quality assurance at Newport Corporation in Irvine, CA. He trained and facilitated the corporate quality steering committee in areas of Quality Improvement, Teambuilding, ISO9001, and Statistical Process Control. He wrote and translated internal documents including ISO 9001 training documentation.

Frank has a B. S. in Microbiology from UCLA, Los Angeles, CA and has taken MBA graduate courses at California State University in Fullerton. He also has an associate’s degree in Laser/Optics from Moorpark College.

Frank earned training certification for ODI Quality Improvement Training and has certificates for Advanced SPC and DOE, and ISO 9000 lead assessors. He is fluent in Spanish and communicates well in French.

James W. Buell, M.S.

Mr. Buell has over 30 years in government and senior management positions. In these positions he has initiated and implemented organizational development, quality improvement and goal setting/performance management programs.

Jim has extensive experience in management, team building, team problem solving, production skills, and production control training programs both in the public and private sector. For the past 6 years he has been both a developer and lead facilitator for Quest.

Jim serves as an adjunct Professor at Golden Gate University, Monterey, California. He received his MS and BA. degrees from California State University and holds a lifetime teaching credential.

Carlos Conejo

Carlos Conejo has over 20 years experience and a proven record of accomplishment in Lean Manufacturing, Sales, Product Management, and Training and Development. As a consultant, he specializes in multicultural workforce development. He is an author and speaks nationally on multicultural workforce issues.

His corporate experience includes sales management and product management at some leading healthcare companies. At one company, he was directly responsible for turning around a declining division and spearheaded its growth from $22 million in sales to $625 million in sales in five years.

Carlos consults and teaches in management, problem solving, leadership skills, process improvement, lean enterprise, performance management and organizational development. He has ten years experience in implementing lean manufacturing, and he is black belt certified in Six Sigma. Carlos is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Carlos has a B.S., Business Administration from Pepperdine University, and he is a member of the National Speakers Association. He was named one of the “Top Five Hispanic Speakers in America” by the independent firm of MarketData.

His publications include Seven Secrets for Your Success, Motivating Hispanic Employees, Crabs of Santo Domingo: The Power of Working Together, and Recruiting & Retaining Multicultural Employees.

Sharon Kravitz

Ms. Kravitz has over 15 years of experience as a Training and Development professional in a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, technology, retail, and banking. Her experience includes designing and facilitating leadership development and customer service programs, design and implementation of user friendly computer courses and customization of training materials.

Sharon has strong platform and presentation skills and takes a facilitative approach to working with groups. She is a natural leader with strong interpersonal skills. She has experience in team building and in building bridges between work groups. Sharon has worked with all levels of employees.

She received a BS in Sociology and Communications from California State University, Long Beach. She is certified in Situational Leadership from the Center for Leadership Studies.

Chad Checketts, MBA

Mr. Checketts has over 20 years experience in leadership and consulting. He works with Fortune 500 companies at all levels of organization responsibility, with a particular emphasis on improving productivity and associated bottom-line performance.

While at AC Nielsen, Chad led the creation of a corporate university that aligned corporate strategy with individual competencies and HRD. At RJR Nabisco he developed the national sales organization and at HJ Heinz he was responsible for executive and organization development.

His consulting includes the design and integration of systems for business planning, performance management, succession management, human resource development, and assessment and development centers.

Mr. Checketts earned his BS in Economics and MBA from Brigham Young University. He has international experience and is fluent in Japanese.

Wendi Fast, M.A.

Wendi Fast has almost twenty years experience directing training efforts for divisions of Fortune 500 companies. She has been an independent consultant for twelve years. Her consulting clients include organizations in the high technology, manufacturing, medical and retail industries. She has taught at the university level and holds certifications in several important training programs.

As a training and development consultant, the primary areas of responsibility include the development and facilitation of company specific training programs that provide growth opportunities for employees in such areas as communication, interpersonal skills, management and supervisory skills, customer service, and quality management. This process may include the steps of needs assessment and information gathering, development of need specific training programs (and if necessary leader’s guides) and facilitation of the developed programs.

In addition to development and facilitation, Ms. Fast has worked on and managed several large state funded training projects.  She has implemented management development programs for clients such as Honeywell, Vans, Screen Actor’s Guild, Fluidmaster, and Alta Med. She has also implemented programs in continuous improvement, customer service and presentation skills at clients such as the Los Angeles Times, Zebra Technologies, Technicolor, and Money Mailer.

 Ms. Fast has a master’s degree in Organizational Communication.

Manny Fernandez, Jr.

Manny Fernandez, Jr., is a seasoned Manufacturing and Marketing professional with many years as a successful consultant and trainer.  He has worked for World Class businesses such as General Electric, Atlantic Richfield, Pfizer, and Hughes Aircraft. Manny’s responsibilities included sales and marketing, process engineering, and operations, including P&L responsibility. The industries served were Engineered Materials, Electronics, Chemicals, Construction and Packaging.

As a consultant specializing in quality, lean manufacturing, and process improvement, Manny has worked with organizations such as Raytheon, Technicolor, Pacific Scientific, American National Can, Exide Corp., Lucas Aerospace, and Adac Labs.  

Manny has an MBA from Pepperdine University, an MS in Chemistry from CSU Los Angeles, and a BA in Chemistry from CSU Dominguez Hills.

Steven J. Gomez

Mr. Gomez, former senior member of the US Army Leadership Academy, understands regulatory requirements and site specific training for both government and business.

Steve has developed and led training in equal opportunity, diversity, conflict, team building, leadership, and sexual harassment. As training manager for the sixth largest US natural gas compression company, he was responsible for organizational culture, leader development, technical training, sales training and organizational consulting to the executive committee.

He received his BA in Business Management from the University of Maryland. He is on the faculty at Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. Steve has served as president for the Corpus Christi branch of ASTD.

Jane S. Herzog, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

Ms. Herzog has 20 years experience as a trainer, organizational consultant, clinical social worker and school board member.

Jane has consulted in organization design, team building and performance management. She has provided supervisory and management training in hospitals, aerospace, manufacturing, distribution, and data processing industries. As well as social service agencies, the US Navy and city government.

Jane served on the Trustee Committees of both the National and California Associations of Independent Schools. She earned her BA at the University of Pittsburgh and her MSW at the Smith College School for Social Work.

Richard Herzog, MBA

Mr. Herzog has been involved in interactive marketing for more than 25 years, most recently with Guthy-Renker Direct.

As an executive and consultant, Richard has been involved in all phases of marketing programs for JC Penny, American Express, Visa, Mastercard, MCI, Sprint, Hewlett-Packard, Apple and 10 of the nation’s largest banks.

Richard was among the founders of the American Telemarketing Association and Chairman of several committees of the Direct Marketing Association. For several years, Target Marketing has included him on its list of the "200 Industry Influentials."

Richard has an MBA in international marketing and a graduate degree in management.

Bob King

Bob King has over 30 years experience in education and training. In addition to a teaching and language training background, Bob has spent the last 17 years working in management development, quality improvement, human resources development, legal compliance and customer service. As a manager with Employers Group (formerly M&M Association), he worked with hundreds of companies in all industries to help them meet their training requirements. Specializing in supervisory and management programs, Bob helped companies implement practical topics where participants could apply their learning right away. Bob has a B.A. in government from Clark University and studied psychology at City College in New York.

David S. Meyer

David has over 20 years' experience in executive, management, team development and problem solving training workshop design and delivery. He has worked directly with over 31,000 managers, supervisors and individual contributors, while logging almost 12,000 hours of direct workshop facilitation.

As a designer, trainer, and consultant, David has worked with manufacturing, aerospace, defense, bio-tech, retail, hi-tech, and financial clients throughout the United States, Europe and the Pacific Asia regions of the world. David's approach to learning is lively and interactive. His classroom approach helps develop insightful self analysis, quality building behaviors, and realistic directions for long-term improvement strategies.

In his role as a Quest Consultant, David has created and facilitated dynamic programs for Boeing, Honeywell International, Hyundai USA, Mercedes Benz USA, Neutrogena, Peregrine Semiconductor, General Dynamics, The U.S. Army, Titleist, Petco, and many other organizations.

Previously, David worked in store development with Ethan Allen, and was the National Director of Training for Krause’s Custom Crafted Furniture / Castro Convertibles chain of furniture manufacturers and retailers. He holds certifications with Silberman Training Systems, Friedman Retail Management, and Situational Leadership from the Center for Leadership Studies.

David’s personal interests are in the maritime world. In 2009, he earned his 50-ton Master Captain License from the U.S. Coast Guard and is an officer in the Merchant Marines.

Lori McLarney-Buell, M.A.

Ms. McLarney-Buell has over 20 years of management and consulting positions in human resources and organizational development, TQM, communications, marketing, finance and training.

As Director of Training for a major high tech company, Lori was responsible for managing, developing and delivering national and international management training programs. Lori has managed several of Quest’s largest organizational development and training projects, and is a primary developer of our Company-Specific Library of Training Materials.

Lori has been honored with numerous awards, including the Award of Merit from the Los Angeles County of Women of Excellence. Lori earned her MA in Communications Management from the Annenberg School at USC, and her BA in Psychology from the University of California. She currently serves as an adjunct Professor at Golden Gate University, Monterey, California.

Bonni Montevecchi, M.A.

With 25 years of corporate experience, Bonni shares business savvy and insights in a manner that not only educates, but inspires others to become better communicators and peak performers. Bonni has done extensive training in the government, healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality arenas.  She has presented topics such as management, presentation skills, communication, and customer service.

Bonni holds a Master’s Degree from the University of San Francisco in Human Resources/Organization Development. Her undergraduate degree is in Journalism from California State University, Fresno.

John Navarro

John Navarro has over twenty years experience in Quality Assurance, leading both large and small organizations, including senior management positions in three very successful startups. 

As the Director of Quality for Western Digital, John helped create and lead a top tier disk manufacturing business that excelled under ISO certification and earned millions of dollars in profits for the corporation.

John has implemented many quality systems worldwide insuring timely, successful plant and product qualifications from strategic customers.  He has helped clients achieve ISO 9001 certification, reduce cycle time through process mapping, organize the Quality Department, and has worked with clients to develop management skills throughout an organization’s leadership.

John has both a Bachelors of Science and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Denise Pizzulli

Denise Pizzulli is a Senior Consultant with Quest Consulting and Training Corporation and an accomplished executive with significant expertise in the practices of organization development, human resources and strategic consulting. Denise was Vice President, Management and Organization Development at Universal Studios and has held other human resources positions.

Denise has designed and implemented leadership and management systems with emphasis on performance management, talent review, executive assessment and development and employee engagement processes that have directly impacted the achievement of measurable business results.

In her varied roles, Denise has provided direction, planning and implementation of all activities related to creating a culture of strategy driven performance, the pursuit of flawless execution, and demonstration of core values.

She has directed the development and implementation of integrated organization processes including: corporate strategic planning, performance management, total compensation, strategic workforce planning, selection and staffing systems, succession planning, assessment, development, executive coaching, training and continuous learning. Denise has also conducted cultural due diligence work and overall assessment of HR and OD systems.

Denise has a Master of Science in Organization Development degree from Pepperdine University (MSOD) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University.

Paula Powers

Ms. Powers has over 30 years of experience as a Human Resource Development Manager in aerospace and consultant in performance improvement for clients in the high tech, manufacturing, and hospitality industries.  Her experience includes processes for aligning individual and organizational goals; designing leadership development programs with blended learning; training supervisors to successfully deliver “just-in-time” training; and creating user-friendly operations manuals and training materials for fast growing franchise and other organizations.  Paula serves as an adjunct faculty member at Chapman University and the University of California, Irvine. She received a BS in Education from the Univ. of Illinois and Masters degree in Human Resources Management and OD from Pepperdine University.

Linda Rivera

Ms. Rivera is a results-oriented, dynamic professional with 15 years of success in developing and managing State of California Employment Training Panel projects.

Linda has over 12 years experience in both operations and management, with emphasis in MIS, training and development, and project management. For the past 7 years she has directed the grant administration for Quest clients.

Kristi Royce

Kristi Royse is a nationally recognized speaker, facilitator, management consultant, executive coach, and trainer. Since 1987 she has been helping leaders advance their teams and to find out how they can take advantage of their collective experience to get even more accomplished. Kristi specializes in customer service, management skills, change issues, and presentation skills.

Kristi’s expert facilitation skills have helped numerous organizations and individuals:

• Strategize how they can improve your business
• Increase the confidence and willingness of team members to take their work to the next level
• Improve communication and collaboration
• Improve customer service skills
• Get a fresh perspective to apply new solutions to old problems
• Follow through on commitments and accountability to agreements
• Recognize and leverage the hidden value of every employee on their team
• Ensure individuals are working to their strengths
• Eliminate unproductive behaviors
• Work together faster and more effectively

Kristi has a B. S. from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo.

Joseph F. Whitaker

Mr. Whitaker is a consultant in human resources and a dynamic trainer. Joe began his career as a First Line Supervisor, so he relates well to the management team. Since then he has held positions as Manager, Organizational Development, for Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp., Manager of Human Resources/Employee Relations for Sperry Flight Systems and Solar Turbines and Director of Human Resources for Hunter Industries and CSA Travel Protection.

He is well-versed in Management, Leadership Development, Team Building, Process Improvement, and Human Resource Compliance issues, such as Sexual Harassment. Joe has worked with all levels of employees, from front line workers to senior management. He has an outstanding track record in working with technical professionals, such as engineers or scientists. His skill transcends age and gender issues as he creates an interactive adult learning environment where everyone benefits.

Joe has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Michigan State University and a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management.