Dr. Sid Ahmed Benraouane is a thought leader with more than 20 years of experience in multiple sectors, regions, and industries. He is the Chair of the United States ISO Working Group on Innovation Management System Standard (ISO 56002:2019) and a member of the ISO/SC 42 Joint Committee in charge of developing set of international standards on Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Benraouane advises senior government leaders and executive teams in the MENA region on issues related to exponential technologies, innovation, and digital transformation. He is a speaker at the World Government Summit (UAE) and BAIDEC/MEMTEC conference (Bahrain), and Big Data and Cloud Show (KSA), World Mobility and Autonomous Driving Show (UAE), and Artificial Intelligence Summit (Mauritius). Dr. Benraouane's latest publication is a contribution on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in which he addresses the US national AI strategy, published by Taylor & Francis. Dr. Benraouane is a Certified Chief Innovation Officer from the Global Innovation Institute and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Currently, he advises Dubai Government and teaches at Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, USA. Dr. H. James Harrington, Chief Executive Officer Harrington Management Systems. In the book, Tech Trending, Dr. Harrington was referred to as "the quintessential tech trender." The New York Times referred to him as having a "...knack for synthesis and an open mind about packaging his knowledge and experience in new ways - characteristics that may matter more as prerequisites for new-economy success than technical wizardry....". The author, Tom Peters, stated, "I fervently hope that Harrington's readers will not only benefit from the thoroughness of his effort but will also 'smell' the fundamental nature of the challenge for change that he mounts." William Clinton, Past President of the U.S., appointed Dr. Harrington to serve as an Ambassador of Good Will. It has been said about him, "He writes the books that other consultants use." Harrington Management Systems (formerly Harrington Institute) was featured on a half-hour TV program, Heartbeat of America, which focuses on outstanding small businesses that make America strong. The host, William Shatner, stated: "You (Dr. Harrington) manage an entrepreneurial company that moves America forward. You are obviously successful." Present Responsibilities: Dr. H. James Harrington now serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Harrington Management Systems. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board for a number of businesses. Dr. Harrington also serves as the chairman of the Walter L Hurd foundation. Dr. Harrington is recognized as one of the world leaders in applying performance improvement methodologies to business processes. He has an excellent record of coming into an organization, working as its CEO or COO, resulting in a major improvement in its financial and quality performance. Previous Experience: In February 2002 Dr. Harrington retired as the COO of Systemcorp A.L.G., the leading supplier of knowledge management and project management software solutions when Systemcorp was purchased by IBM. Prior to this, he served as a Principal and one of the leaders in the Process Innovation Group at Ernst & Young; he retired from Ernst & Young when it was purchased by Cap Gemini. Dr. Harrington joined Ernst & Young when Ernst & Young purchased Harrington, Hurd & Rieker, a consulting firm that Dr. Harrington started. Before that Dr. Harrington was with IBM for over 40 years as a Senior Engineer and Project Manager. Dr. Harrington is past Chairman and past President of the prestigious International Academy for Quality and of the American Society for Quality Control. He is also an active member of the Global Knowledge Economics Council. Credentials: Dr. H James Harrington was given a lifetime achievement award for his work in process improvement and in innovation by the International Association of Innovation Professionals. H. James Harrington was elected to the honorary level of the International Academy for Quality, which is the highest level of recognition in the quality profession. H. James Harrington is a government-registered Quality Engineer, a Certified Quality and Reliability Engineer by the American Society for Quality Control, and a Permanent Certified Professional Manager by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers. He is a certified Master Six Sigma Black Belt and received the title of Six Sigma Grand Master. H. James Harrington has an MBA and Ph.D. in Engineering Management and a BS in Electrical Engineering. Additionally, in 2013 Harrington received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D,) from the Sudan Academy of Sciences. H. James Harrington's contributions to performance improvement around the world have brought him many honors. He was appointed the honorary advisor to the China Quality Control Association, and was elected to the Singapore Productivity Hall of Fame in 1990. He has been named lifetime honorary President of the Asia-Pacific Quality Control Organization and honorary Director of the Association Chilean de Control de Calidad. In 2006 Dr. Harrington accepted the Honorary Chairman position of Quality Technology Park of Iran. H. James Harrington has been elected a Fellow of the British Quality Control Organization and the American Society for Quality Control. In 2008 he was elected to be an Honorary Fellow of the Iran Quality Association and Azerbaijan Quality Association. He was also elected an honorary member of the quality societies in Taiwan, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Singapore. He is also listed in the "Who's-Who Worldwide" and "Men of Distinction Worldwide." He has presented hundreds of papers on performance improvement and organizational management structure at the local, state, national, and international levels. Recognition: The Harrington/Ishikawa Medal, presented yearly by the Asian Pacific Quality Organization, was named after H. James Harrington to recognize his many contributions to the region. The Harrington/Neron Medal was named after H. James Harrington in 1997 for his many contributions to the quality movement in Canada. Harrington Best TQM Thesis Award was established in 2004 and named after H. James Harrington by the European Universities Network and e-TQM College. Harrington Chair in Performance Excellence was established in 2005 at the Sudan University. Harrington Excellence Medal was established in 2007 to recognize an individual who uses the quality tools in a superior manner. H. James Harrington Scholarship was established in 2011 by the ASQ Inspection Division. H. James Harrington has received many awards, among them the Benjamin L. Lubelsky Award, the John Delbert Award, the Administrative Applications Division Silver Anniversary Award, and the Inspection Division Gold Medal Award. In 1996, he received the ASQC's Lancaster Award in recognition of his international activities. In 2001 he received the Magnolia Award in recognition for the many contributions he has made in improving quality in China. In 2002 H. James Harrington was selected by the European Literati Club to receive a lifetime achievement award at the Literati Award for Excellence ceremony in London. The award was given to honor his excellent literature contributions to the advancement of quality and organizational performance. Also, in 2002 H. James Harrington was awarded the International Academy of Quality President's Award in recognition for outstanding global leadership in quality and competitiveness, and contributions to IAQ as Nominations Committee Chair, Vice President, and Chairman. In 2003 H. James Harrington received the Edwards Medal from the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The Edwards Medal is presented to the individual who has demonstrated the most outstanding leadership in the application of modern quality control methods, especially through the organization and administration of such work. In 2004 he received the Distinguished Service Award which is ASQ's highest award for service granted by the Society. In 2008 Dr. Harrington was awarded the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award (UAE) in recognition of his superior performance as an original Quality and Excellence Guru who helped shape modern quality thinking. In 2009 Harrington was selected as the Professional of the Year (2009). Also in 2009 he received the Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University Medal. In 2010 the Asian Pacific Quality Association (APQO) awarded Harrington the APQO President's Award for his "exemplary leadership." The Australian Organization of Quality NSW's Board recognized Harrington as "the Global Leader in Performance Improvement Initiatives" in 2010. In 2011 he was honored to receive the Shanghai Magnolia Special Contributions Award from the Shanghai Association for Quality in recognition of his 25 years of contributing to the advancement of quality in China. This was the first time that this award was given out. In 2012 Harrington received the ASQ Ishikawa Medal for his many contributions in promoting the understanding of process improvement and employee involvement on the human aspects of quality at the local, national, and international levels. Also in 2012 he was awarded the Jack Grayson Award. This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the application of quality philosophy, methods and tools in education, healthcare, public service and not-for-profit organizations. Harrington also received the A.C. Rosander Award in 2012. This is ASQ Service Quality Division's highest honor. It is given in recognition of outstanding long-term service and leadership resulting in substantial progress toward the fulfillment of the Division's programs and goals. Additionally, in 2012 Harrington was honored by the Asia Pacific Quality Organization by being awarded the Armand V. Feigenbaum Lifetime Achievement Medal. This award is given annually to an individual whose relentless pursuit of performance improvement over a minimum of 25 years has distinguished himself or herself for the candidate's work in promoting the use of quality methodologies and principles within and outside of the organization he or she is part of. In 2018 Harrington received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asia Pacific Quality Organization. This award recognizes worthy role models and committed APQO Leaders who have made significant contribution to the betterment of APQO. Contact Information: Dr. Harrington is a very prolific author, publishing hundreds of technical reports and magazine articles. For the past 8 years he has published a monthly column in Quality Digest Magazine and is syndicated in five other publications. He has authored 55 books and 10 software packages. You may contact Dr. Harrington at the following: Phone: (408) 358-2476 Email: hjh@svinet.com Sid A. Benraouane A Leader with 20+ years of experience in multiple sectors, regions, and industries. Dr. Benraouane is a faculty at Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota. He advises organization on innovation, digital transformation and AI ecosystems. He is the Lead of the US ISO Working Group 1 on Innovation Management Standard ISO 56002, and a member of the US ISO / SC 42 Working Group 3 Artificial Intelligence - Trustworthiness. With a deep understanding of the economics of digital transformation in the USA and the MENA region, Dr. Benraouane helps decision-makers build decision making frameworks that enhances innovative thinking and engage the workforce. Dr. Benraouane is also a speaker at the World Government Summit on AI and Ethics (UAE 2019) and a frequent keynote speaker at regional events such as Big Data Show (UAE), Cloud and Big Data Show (KSA), Energy Digitization Summit (UAE), Artificial Intelligence Summit (UAE), World Mobility Show and Autonomous Driving (UAE), the Middle East Military Technology Conference and the Bahrain International Defense Exhibition & Conference (Bahrain). He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority's Digital Next Conference
