Paul Akers

For the 19th century American sculptor sometimes known as Paul Akers, see Benjamin Paul Akers.
Paul Akers
Akers teaching workers at FastCap
Born (1960-05-07) May 7, 1960 (age 64)
San Diego, California, U.S
Other namesPaul A. Akers
Alma materBiola University
Occupation(s)Author, business owner, YouTuber
Notable work2 Second Lean, Lean Health, Lean Travel, Lean Life, Banish Sloppiness
SpouseLeanne Akers
Children2
Websitepaulakers.net

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]

Career

Akers 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

In 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

  1. ^ "Sweet future of industry". Archived from the original on 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  2. ^ Olenski, Steve (7 October 2013). "What Every Marketer Can Learn By Going Lean". Forbes.
  3. ^ "Fastcap Founder Paul Akers – A Bellingham Innovator - Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism". Bellingham.org. 2017-05-29. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  4. ^ a b "Fast and Lean: The FastCap Story". Archived from the original on 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  5. ^ "The American Innovator". YouTube. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  6. ^ Graban, Mark (2010-10-14). "A Breath of Lean Positivity - Paul Akers and FastCap – Lean Blog". Leanblog.org. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  7. ^ "Bellingham entrepreneur Paul Akers sets his sights on U.S. Senate". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  8. ^ "August 17, 2010 Primary - Federal". Washington Secretary of State. 21 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-08-21.