82: Built to Last: Mentorship, Manufacturing, and the Matrix Mindset

Lisa Kenning, CEO of Matrix Automation, alongside her powerhouse team: Don Rentz, Greg Millinger, and special guest Scott Walberg.Lisa shares her journey from helping her dad at age 10 to leading a company at the forefront of digital transformation in manufacturing. Together, the group dives into the importance of mentorship, the legacy of family-run businesses, and how lean principles and traceability tech have helped manufacturers achieve near-zero defect rates—even in highly complex, regulated environments.What We Cover:Lisa’s early days at Matrix and the values instilled by her fatherWhy mentorship—both formal and informal—matters, especially for women in manufacturingHow Matrix Automation helps manufacturers reduce defects and improve traceabilityReal-world success stories from automotive and medical device manufacturingWhy lean principles apply across all industries—from bourbon to wheelchairsThe hidden costs of waiting too long to invest in continuous improvementEmpowering frontline operators through smarter systems and dataLearning across generations: Mahjong, magnetism, and mental healthFeatured Guests:Lisa Kenning, CEO, Matrix AutomationDon Rentz, General Manager, Matrix AutomationGreg Millinger, Technologist & Product ArchitectScott Walberg, President, Lean Innovation, LLC💡 Key Quotes:“We didn’t buy an off-the-shelf system. We partnered with Matrix and created something custom. That’s why it worked.” – Scott Walberg“My dad started this company to serve the customer better. That value still drives everything we do.” – Lisa Kenning“Whether you're building 1,200 units or 100, the tools are the same. Lean is universal.” – Don Rentz