At MSI, milestones are not just markers in time; they represent a journey of dedication, learning, and continuous improvement. Last month, the MSI team was honored to be joined by friends, family and Clients to proudly celebrate our 30th anniversary in the Enders fashion of a raucous party with laughter, food, dancing and of course the rum! We have been basking in the glow of the love and support from the night and taking many trips down memory lane.
Quality has brought so much to the Enders family through the years and we are so grateful to have been able to celebrate our journey. It is an opportune moment to reflect on the path we've traveled and the lessons we've learned…
Cheers!
The Early Days: A Foundation of Principles
Three decades ago, Michael embarked on a mission to redefine quality management. Grounded in the principles of precision, consistency, and customer satisfaction, MSI’s journey began as American Quality Resources. With a different purpose from that of MSI, but with the same commitment to excellence, Michael honed his craft implementing hundreds of new quality management systems for Clients to be registered to the novel ISO 9001:1986. At the time, Michael was primarily working alone, traveling hundreds of miles to provide his expertise to Clients while building his knowledge for the best quality principles. Those principles are now considered the foundation of MSI.
Pictured below with the original American Quality Resources sign that hung in many offices long ago, is friend, first and longest employee! to AQR and MSI, Joe Haloburdo. Sticking with Michael through the years (good and bad), Joe took a chance on Michael and his dream and is part of the Enders family. We were honored to celebrate his 20 years with MSI and official retirement a few years ago with his family in Fredericksburg, VA. You can read more at our blog of the night, just click here.
Evolution through Industry Advancements:
Over the years, we've witnessed remarkable industry advancements that have transformed the landscape of quality management. From manual processes to cutting-edge solutions, our commitment to staying ahead of the curve has allowed us to enhance efficiency and accuracy in our services. With the announcement of AS13100 and requirements to be passed down to aerospace engine suppliers, MSI took charge and quickly took the responsibility of being informed on the standard with three MSI employees participating in qualified training programs. Similarly, the MSI team spearheaded their growth in learning CMMC and other cybersecurity requirements to ensure that our Clients are at the forefront of industry advancements, giving them a cutting edge to others slower to implement these new standards and regulations.
To the left, Michael with his new, young team of quality professionals! Pictured left to right is Angie Smallwood, Rose Perry and Alec Crispino. You can read more about them on the MSI Team page.
Adapting to Change:
In an ever-evolving business environment, adaptability is key. We've navigated through industry shifts, regulatory changes, and global challenges, always maintaining our focus on delivering top-notch quality management services. Each obstacle has been an opportunity to innovate and grow. With more and more standards released through time, we were able to develop these standards to become commonplace for our Clients. The world of standardization can be confusing, but with our efforts to constantly advance and elevate our services, our Clients from all over the world were able to get what they needed from MSI and more.
Pictured above is one of our longest employees, Heidi Richards, with our newest employee, Angie Smallwood. Heidi is Mary Leigh's right hand woman and will be her partner in managing MSI when Michael has fully (if ever) retired.
Customer-Centric Approach:
Our Clients are at the heart of everything we do. Building lasting relationships based on trust, respect and understanding has been paramount to our success. As we celebrate 30 years, we extend our deepest gratitude to our Clients for their faith and continuous collaboration. Not many in our field can boast decades long relationships with Clients, and it is because of this loyalty that our family and employees have known stability in even the toughest of times.
Thank you to two of our long-time Clients, Jon Beaty and Pat Martin, for coming to support Michael and the MSI Team. Michael has worked with Jon several times over the years in multiple companies in the aerospace industry in CT, and with Pat Martin at our trusted industry partner in Virgina, Corps Solutions.
Three wise quality professionals!
(Left) Pictured with Michael left to right is Enders family friend from Germany, Manfred Mueller, Mrs. Beaty, and Jon Beaty.
(Right) Pictured left to right with Michael is Joe, Esther Haloburdo, Pat Martin, Mrs. Martin and Michael's brother, Ron Enders (AKA Uncle Ron, Mary Leigh's godfather and an industry colleague with a lengthy career at Pratt & Whitney).
Quality Beyond Compliance:
While compliance is essential, true quality goes beyond meeting standards. To Michael, quality has always been about exceeding expectations in all aspects. We've consistently aimed for superior excellence in every aspect of our operations, pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks in the realm of quality management, aerospace and defense, and cybersecurity. These principles have created the foundation for the next generation of MSI to continue providing our services to Clients, with Mary Leigh ready to carry her dad’s ethos and innovation well into the future leading a team of individuals who have exemplified all that Michael has built.
Just a couple weeks following the celebration, MSI Team member Sam Brantley (pictured above with Mary Leigh) and her husband welcomed their first child, daughter and the first MSI baby! Mary Leigh still proudly holds the title of first AQR baby, born less than a year following the establishment of the family business.
We are proud to bring in the new generation of MSI with our team of 70% women, led by the first born, and only daughter of Michael. The space Michael carved out in an industry historically occupied by men to allow his daughter and her friends to showcase their excellence is something to celebrate on its own.
And who knows...maybe we have a third generation waiting to continue the legacy!
The journey doesn't end at 30 years…it evolves. As we look to the future, we are excited about the possibilities that emerging technologies, global collaborations, and evolving industry standards bring. Our commitment to quality remains steadfast as we continue to innovate, adapt, and lead in the dynamic landscape of all things quality management. At Management Systems Improvement, it is at the core of our responsibilities to review and acknowledge the triumphs of our work…
If you do not acknowledge where you started, you will never appreciate how far you have come!
Michael and Mary Leigh extend our heartfelt appreciation to our Clients, partners, and dedicated team members who have been instrumental in our success. Decades of excellence does not stop here. MSI will continue to define and redefine the standards of quality for many years to come. Thank you for being a part of our remarkable journey.
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