Title: Quality Business Manager
Company: Cummins Inc.
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Karalyn F. Folkert, MS, Quality Business Manager at Cummins Inc., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Engineers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in quality assurance and manufacturing.
Ms. Folkert has established herself as an esteemed professional in the fields of quality assurance, engineering, and manufacturing process improvement. Having excelled as the quality business leader at Cummins Inc. since 2021, she is responsible for overseeing the quality of new engine product introductions and managing new machining and assembly lines. Her role likewise includes conducting engine quality assessments and audit testing, which involves setting limits for end-of-line testing. Furthermore, Ms. Folkert leads multiple teams comprising five engineers and 15 technicians, enabling her to utilize her leadership skills and accrued expertise in her industry.
Prior to her presented position, Ms. Folkert served as the VPI program manager at Cummins Inc. from 2020 to 2021, where she was instrumental in managing various projects related to new product introductions. From 2017 to 2020, she was active as a VPI quality leader, focusing on enhancing product quality and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Her earlier tenure as VPI producibility leader from 2015 to 2017 involved optimizing manufacturing processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Ms. Folkert’s career at Cummins Inc. began in 2005 as a cost of coverage engineer, a post in which she worked until 2008 before becoming a senior engineer, PQC, and early ELF lead from 2008 to 2011. Certified as a Six Sigma Black Belt from 2011 to 2013, which enabled her to contribute to implementing process improvements across the organization. As test operations team manager from 2013 to 2015, Ms. Folkert was part of a dedicated team that developed cutting-edge testing strategies, garnering them the prestigious Chairman’s Quality Award in 2013.
Ms. Folkert’s academic background laid a strong foundation for her career achievements, having initially earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Western Michigan University in 2003. She later concluded her formal studies by graduating with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2005. Her wealth of knowledge acquired during her education equipped her with the technical knowledge necessary for her roles at Cummins Inc., while her upbringing instilled values of hard work and persistence that have fueled her success.
Beyond her primary endeavors, Ms. Folkert is involved in civic-minded organizations and extracurricular activities. Since 2006, she has served as a North Carolina State University recruiter for Cummins Inc., aiding in the development of future engineering talent. She is also passionate about soccer, coaching at Trinity Soccer Academy from 2014 to 2015 before operating as the head coach for the Capital Area Soccer League since 2016. Her philanthropic efforts include donations to Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Raleigh Rescue Mission, and Campus Crusade for Christ in the U.S.
Ms. Folkert’s commitment to excellence and continuous learning underscores her aspirations for both personal fulfillment and professional advancement. She hopes to advance to the role of quality director within Cummins Inc., where she is dedicated to furthering her professional growth and development in the coming years. Looking toward the future, she also plans to transition into retirement and embark on a new chapter focused on sharing knowledge and expertise through consulting work.
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