Meet Heather Wade
Heather A. Wade, ASQ-CCT, ASQ-CQA, and President of Heather Wade Group, LLC, is a proud metrologist, Metrology Ambassador, and an internationally sought speaker and subject matter expert whose passion is applying her knowledge, industry experience, listening skills, and relentless energy to effectively solving your company’s measurement and laboratory management issues.
A strong supporter of professional development and certification, Heather holds ASQ professional certifications as a Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and as a Certified Calibration Technician (CCT), and has been instrumental in the development and updating of the CCT Exam.
BACKGROUND:
A graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Biology, Heather has worked as a microbiologist, filter test specialist, laboratory compliance officer, extraction chemist, an analytical chemist before moving full-time into metrology. Heather credits her near 30 years of professional testing, calibration, metrology, and quality experience and her ability to 'speak & understand the languages and needs' of microbiologists, chemists, engineers, metrologists, and quality professionals in her ability to serve her clients.
PRESENTATIONS:
She has presented at ASQ World Conference on Quality and Innovation, Measurement Science Conference, NCSL International Annual Workshop and Symposium, local and regional ASQ and NCSL International meetings, local Nerd Nites, 2019 Cannabis Quality Conference, 3rd Annual Cannabis Labs Virtual Event, the 21st Asia-Pacific Quality Conference, 2014 China Conference on Quality, and the 10th Shanghai International Symposium on Quality. Visit the News and Appearances page to see more.
PUBLICATIONS:
Heather has been published in multiple publications, including in ASQ-MQD’s “The Standard” and in Cal Lab Magazine; The International Journal of Metrology. She was an (uncredited) contributor to NCSLI's Lab Management Guide; LM-19 Implementation of a Delayed Dating Approach to Calibration. She is a co-author with Diana Baldi for a self-published eBook on ISO/IEC 17025 Requirements Overview. Heather is one of the co-authors of The Metrology Handbook, 2nd Ed., edited by Jay Bucher. Heather is Editor and a Co-Author of The Metrology Handbook, 3rd edition, published January 2023
ACTIVITIES:
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A2LA Lead Assessor for ISO/IEC 17025 test and calibration lab accreditation.
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A2LA Measurement Advisory Committee Member
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A2LA Accreditation Council Member
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AOAC International Member
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ASQ-CCT exam development subject matter expert
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ASQ Measurement Quality Division (MQD) Immediate Past Chair
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ASTM Standards Committee Voting Member: Cannabis (D37), Quality & Statistics (E11), Temperature Measurement (E20), Mechanical Testing (E28), Accreditation & Certification (E36), and Laboratory Apparatus (E41)
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NCSL International’s Testing Lab committee member
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NCSL International’s Test Equipment Asset Management committee member
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2020-2025 USP Expert Committee Member: General Chapters - Measurement and Data Quality
Heather really found her calling when she had the opportunity to develop and standardize a one-person calibration lab into a high performing, multi-functional metrology and asset management team. She helped instill quality metrology practices across NSF International’s multiple chemistry, microbiology, and physical engineering test labs, which in turn, improved their measurements and upheld the integrity of NSF’s testing by reducing out-of-conformance tests and the resulting retesting and possible recalls for NSF’s customers.
Among Heather’s proudest accomplishments are:
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Developing, evaluating, and updating measurement uncertainty budgets for dimensional, electrical, volumetric, mass, temperature, humidity, time, pressure, flow rate, light meters, speed and velocity.
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Authoring and validating calibration procedures and policies.
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Transforming the calibration lab from a paper-based to all-electronic based record system (saved money & space by not having to buy more file cabinets & paper) and saved time by streamlining record-handling.
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Standardizing calibration procedures & training records.
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Investing in calibration standards, reaping return on investment as short as 6 months!
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Transforming audits from receiving findings to receiving written commendations.
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Realizing an annual savings of >$1,000,000 USD for her employer (on a budget of only $100,000).
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Annual budgeting & forecasting.
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Instituting Lean and 6S.
Heather credits her on-going participation and leadership in the world quality & metrology communities for continually learning, networking, and presenting ideas as an internationally sought subject matter expert and speaker.
Heather Wade holding kilogram silicon sphere
When not being nerdy, Heather enjoys officiating volleyball; especially as a collegiate line judge where she enjoys the best seat in the house. She also spends time reciting Monty Python with her friends and trying to tire out her rescue mutt by taking him hiking, walking and swimming.
Let Heather Wade Group, LLC be your consulting partner. Heather’s proven expertise, abilities, connections, and passion can be an incredible asset to your company and its goals. Isn’t that what you want?
Contact her at H.Wade@HeatherWadeGroup.com or at 734-275-4400. Let’s talk about what you need to make your company grow and attract more customers.
VISION AND MISSION
VISION STATEMENT:
To be the premier choice for quality and impactful solutions to measurement, quality, and equipment headaches.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Focus on continuous improvements that make the most beneficial financial impact for our clients.
CORE VALUES
Integrity
Quality
Confidentiality
Continuous Improvement
Ethics