September 3

Empowering Change: Curtis Garrard on Solving Root Problems with Continuous Improvement

In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Curtis Garrard, Continuous Improvement Manager at Stevens Industries, to unpack what continuous improvement actually looks like in a modern millwork operation, from manufacturing to project management and beyond.

Curtis explains how CI isn’t just about fixing machines or tracking parts. It’s about aligning teams, reducing waste across departments, and building a culture that questions how things are done, so processes evolve alongside the business.

Whether you’re a shop owner trying to reduce rework, or a PM drowning in inefficiencies, this episode lays out the mindset, tools, and cultural shifts needed to get real traction.

 About Our Guest

Curtis Garrard is the Continuous Improvement Manager at Stevens Industries, where he leads cross-functional initiatives to optimize processes across the entire quote-to-cash cycle. With a background in manufacturing and automation, Curtis blends hands-on operations knowledge with a deep understanding of lean principles, digital tools, and people-focused leadership. He’s especially passionate about building systems that support sustainable growth and smarter work, not just faster output.

 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • What a Continuous Improvement Manager actually does
     Learn how Curtis supports not just the shop floor, but also estimating, sales, PM, and even accounting, driving end-to-end efficiency.
  • Why wait time is one of the biggest hidden wastes
     Curtis breaks down why idle time in millwork is often overlooked, and how to spot it in your shop or process map.
  • The power of process mapping before jumping to software
     From Vizio to Miro to Excel, Curtis shares simple tools to map what’s really happening before investing in a solution.
  • How to drive change without top-down command
     Learn why co-creating solutions with your team builds faster adoption and better answers.
  • When software is the answer, and when it’s not
     Discover how Curtis thinks about off-the-shelf vs. custom software, and why it all starts with defining the real problem first.
  • How AI is reshaping lean thinking and shop floor execution
     Curtis explores how AI can reduce tribal knowledge, power SOP access, and even extract metadata from construction documents to save time.
  • Where to start if you’re new to CI
     Whether you’re hiring a lean consultant or just starting with a Friday problem-solving session, Curtis shares practical steps to begin your CI journey today.
  • How to calculate ROI on process improvement
     Learn how Curtis recommends thinking about cultural ROI vs. quick financial wins, and why engagement, retention, and fewer escalations matter too.

 Key Insight: CI Is a Culture, Not a Quick Fix

If you treat continuous improvement as just a toolbox, you’ll miss its full potential. Curtis makes it clear: real change starts when CI becomes part of how your team thinks, collaborates, and learns.

Where to Learn More

 Final Thoughts

If your shop or office feels like it’s constantly reacting instead of improving, this episode is a must-listen. Curtis shows that continuous improvement isn’t just for big corporations, it’s how small and mid-size millwork businesses stay sharp, scalable, and sustainable in a changing industry.