Star Struck

Just got back from ASQ’s International Reliability and?Maintainability?Symposium (RAMS). It was great to be among “my people” in such large numbers again after a two year pause due to the pandemic. We could openly discuss statistical strategy at lunch without being concerned about boring anyone at the table. The only risk was triggering a heated discussion by drifting into delicate topics like MTBF.

I presented my paper “Increased Effectiveness of Reliability Tools with the Role of Reliability Czar.” I was told it was engaging and entertaining, but again that was from the same people that I mentioned above. I think it was fun.

I have to share a great moment I had while there. I was star struck by having an opportunity to speak with Dr. Wayne Nelson, the Godfather of statistics based testing. Airplane wings stay on planes at Mach 1 + because of this guy, not kidding. Even those of you outside the statistical world would still have asked “who is that guy?”, simply because people were constantly taking selfies with him. It was the equivalent of Mick Jagger just randomly showing up at your local community gathering.

Here’s the super exciting part, He let me interview him right there onsite for my podcast ‘Reliability Leader.” So season five is going to kick off with a bang.

But the best part is how I got him to do the podcast. When I first asked him he said “Naa, I’ve done podcasts recently, not interested.” But before I spoke with him I looked up recent articles and postings about him hoping to find current info to discuss.?

I hit gold! I came across an article in STAT News “What do statisticians do in their free time.” Turns out Dr Nelson, age 87, is very involved in the Argentinian Tango dancing community. He has clubs he dances at all around the country.?

We did the podcast but, not on Tango. He did tease me in the end. Just as I was closing out the podcast and saying good bye to the audience, he threw in ”Next time we can discuss Tango!” So he’s a funny guy too. Season five of?Reliability Leader?will post next week!

-Adam

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