Meet the Instructors: Nathan Navarro, Lean Six Sigma

[Meet the Instructors is a series intended to introduce you to one of the greatest resources the University of Washington Tacoma Professional Development Center has to offer: its diverse team of veteran, industry-tested professionals. The Center’s professional development programs are designed to be rewarding, challenging and cutting-edge. Our instructors play no small part in that, ensuring students are exposed to the most current industry trends while remaining well-versed in the tried-and-true best practices of their professions. We’re excited to share our instructors with you, and their stories are a great place to start.]

UW Tacoma Lean Six Sigma instructor Nathan Navarro did not always plan on teaching. His career actually started in retail, here he steadily worked his way up from pushing carts to sales, to marketing and eventually into management. When The Boeing Company opened a facility at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, he started work there as an aircraft painter and sealer, refurbishing military aircraft. It was an experience there that set Navarro’s path toward the classroom.

“We had an all hands meeting one day where they announced they would be handing out pink slips that day – no warning notices, no three months,” said Navarro. “I saw mechanics with tears in their eyes, pushing their tool boxes out of the door, so that made an impact.”

Read more Meet the Instructors: Nathan Navarro, Lean Six Sigma

Meet the Instructors: Trevor Nichol, Mastering Beer Styles

[Meet the Instructors is a series intended to introduce you to one of the greatest resources the University of Washington Tacoma Professional Development Center has to offer: its diverse team of veteran, industry-tested professionals. The Center’s professional development programs are designed to be rewarding, challenging and cutting-edge. Our instructors play no small part in that, ensuring students are exposed to the most current industry trends while remaining well-versed in the tried-and-true best practices of their professions. We’re excited to share our instructors with you, and their stories are a great place to start.]

Mastering Beer Styles: Exploration and Evaluation is the PDC’s first venture into the world of craft beer. According to the Brewer’s Association, there are nearly 4,300 craft breweries operating in the U.S. That number is only growing, and Tacoma’s thriving beer culture is a testament to that. Looking to serve the growing body of craft beer professionals, this course is designed to take students on an exploration through the world of beer. Over an intensive 10-week, 40-hour curriculum, students will learn the fundamental history, terminology and style characteristics of beers. The curriculum is based upon the information covered in industry standard exam certifications such as the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) and Cicerone. At the helm of the course’s first iteration is BJCP Master Judge Trevor Nichol. Nichol is an industry veteran, knows beer much better than anyone at The Center, and took some time recently to answer some of our questions.

Read more Meet the Instructors: Trevor Nichol, Mastering Beer Styles