Lecturer in Operations Management, School of Business and Economics
- MS, Industrial Engineering, New Mexico State University
- BS, Computer Science/Business, University of Puget Sound
Biography
After leaving NMSU I worked in industry as an industrial engineer and engineering manager at IBM's semiconductor plant in Essex Junction, Vermont. I worked with manufacturing, engineering, maintenance to improve the productivity of $2 billion manufacturing tools. I ended my career managing Strategic and Tactical planning and the ~$500 million capital budget. Moved to Houghton to escape the corporate world and founded a consulting firm, Homer Productivity Consultants working with companies to create better business decisions through better data and information. I am involved in the community as a member of the Keweenaw Co-op Board of Directors, Kiwanis and the Copper Country Humane Society.
Research Focus
Roger Woods teaches a hands-on approach to problem-solving that comes largely from his consulting background. Using materials that blend course objectives with real business challenges, students learn through story problems and the use of spreadsheets how to model difficult business decisions in a real-world context.
Also spearheading the Business Development Experience, Woods is advising students who are receiving the authentic opportunity to use their academic knowledge in on-campus business situations. Woods is also developing technology to analyze student work when academic integrity becomes a concern. This work is important since student-created spreadsheets are in business schools across the nation and this technology does not currently exist.
Teaching Interests
- Spreadsheet modeling
- The art of charts
Research Interests
- Academic integrity and spreadsheets