Shingo Institute Announces Jacob Raymer as New Executive Director

LOGAN, Utah — The Shingo Institute, a program in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, has named Jacob Raymer as its next executive director, effective Sept. 15.

Raymer brings more than two decades of experience advancing principle-based organizational excellence and has a longstanding history with the Shingo Institute, where he previously served as the director of education, helped develop the Shingo Model, and co-authored of the Institute’s foundational curriculum. Raymer has also served as a Shingo Faculty Fellow, master trainer, and member of the Shingo Academy.

During his tenure as director of education, Raymer played a pivotal role in translating the Shingo Model into a globally applicable framework for organizational excellence. He supported assessments and research involving hundreds of organizations, helped guide the development and qualification of Shingo examiners, and led executive learning experiences throughout North America, Europe, and Japan.

Since working with the Institute, Raymer has continued to advance operational and organizational excellence through executive leadership roles with Munson Healthcare, McKinsey & Company, the Institute for Enterprise Excellence, and SISU Consulting Group. Across these experiences, he has helped leaders align purpose, strategy, culture, systems, and behaviors to achieve meaningful and sustainable transformation.

“Jake brings a rare combination of deep institutional knowledge, global experience, and practical executive leadership,” said Ken Snyder, current executive director of the Shingo Institute. “He understands not only the history and intent of the Shingo Model, but also the challenges leaders face in applying principle-based thinking in complex organizations. We are confident he is well-prepared to lead the Institute into its next chapter.”

Throughout his career, Raymer has remained deeply connected to the principles that define the Shingo Model. His leadership approach emphasizes respect for every individual, the development of ideal behaviors, the alignment of systems with guiding principles, and the pursuit of sustainable organizational excellence.

As executive director, Raymer will provide strategic leadership for the Shingo Institute and oversee its work in organizational assessments and recognition, research, education, curriculum development, workshops, events, and global affiliate engagement. He will also serve as an advocate and ambassador for the Shingo Institute and the Shingo Model around the world.

“I am deeply honored to return to the Shingo Institute in this role,” Raymer said. “The principles at the heart of the Shingo Model have shaped much of my professional career, and I look forward to working with the Institute’s team and global community to build on its strong foundation and expand its impact for the future.”

Raymer succeeds Ken Snyder, who has served as Executive Director of the Shingo Institute since 2015, guiding the Institute’s growth and global impact.

With Raymer’s extensive knowledge of the Shingo Model, executive leadership experience, and longstanding connection to the Shingo community, the institute looks forward to continuing to expand its impact among leaders and organizations around the world.

About the Shingo Institute

The Shingo Institute is home to the Shingo Prize, an award recognizing organizations that demonstrate an exceptional culture fostering continuous improvement. Part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, the Shingo Institute is named after Japanese industrial engineer and Toyota adviser Shigeo Shingo, one of the world's thought leaders in the Toyota Production System.

Drawing from Shingo’s teachings and years of experience working with organizations worldwide, the Shingo Institute developed the Shingo Model, the basis for its various educational offerings, including workshops, study tours, and conferences. Workshops are available in multiple languages through the Institute's Licensed Affiliates. For more information on workshops and affiliates or to register to attend an event, please visit https://shingo.org.