Michael Goodnight

Owner

After receiving a BS in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University in 1976, I continued studies in graduate school, earning a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering in 1978.

I then launched into an engineering career which took me to a chemical company in the Detroit area as a project engineer, and then to Memphis, Tennessee as a process engineer with another company.

In 1981, while in Memphis I started with Kimberly-Clark Corporation, first in operations, and then as a process engineer. Servicing a variety of in-plant departments, I spent much of my time with the diaper operations. It was there that I developed a hands-on phasing simulation tool for training operators, earning me a Distinguished Performance Award. This simulator was later introduced corporate-wide as part of diaper process training, and I began working with the Training and Development group in its delivery. When an position opened up in the group, I transferred from Memphis to the Fox Valley in early 1988.

During my time in corporate training, I primarily worked on the development of technical training materials to support both machine & product improvement projects, as well as ongoing individual development. I became certified to teach several courses including Kepner-Tregoe's Problem Solving and Decision Making, and later their Analytical Troubleshooting course. I later had the chance to branch out into the world of eLearning, combining my two areas of computers, and training.

Adopting one of the first IBM PC computers at the Memphis Mill in 1982, I began my passion for computer technology. First, in the engineering use and later in training. I did computer consulting for small businesses and individuals from 1985 under Computer Ensemble, until October of 2009 when I created Michael Goodnight and Associates, LLC.

I've been very active in Boy Scouting in a variety of positions. I worked with my son's troop as advancement chairman, and later started a Venturing Crew in 1998 as the advisor. I have served on many Boy Scout leader training courses, including five Wood Badge courses (and provided web page and computer support for three others). After becoming certified in both COPE and rock climbing, I attended both the 2001 and 2005 National Jamboree, serving on the action center rappelling staff. And I visited the 100th anniversary Jamboree in 2010. I coordinated the staff for the Great Lakes Centennial Jamboree held in September of 2009 at the EAA grounds in Oshkosh, WI. This was a multi-council event covering all of Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, with 10,144 people in attendance. Currently I'm involved at both the Crew and Council level, and support beginning kayaking instruction at our Council camp in the Spring and Fall.

I finished my traditional work history at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the Center for Community Development, Engagement and Training (CCDET)), developing online training to support Dementia Capable Wisconsin. Visit www.uwosh.edu/dementia to learn about those programs. I also provided technical support for our department.

Since 2019 I have been consulting with 15dots (https://www.15dots.com) hosting online Zoom sessions for remote training, website updates, CRM management, etc.