A New Chapter of Growth at Peak Performance, Welcoming Lisa Thomas as President & CEO

By Michelle Castleberry

Manufacturing never stands still, and neither can we.

Over the years, Peak Performance has had the privilege of working alongside manufacturers as they have navigated workforce shortages, changing technologies, new leadership challenges, automation, Industry 4.0 and an increasing need to develop the people already inside their organizations.

As those needs have grown, Peak Performance has grown with them.

Today, we are excited to announce another important step in that growth: Lisa A. Thomas will become President & CEO of Peak Performance, Inc., effective October 1, 2026.

Peak Performance founder Denise M. Hall will continue serving as Chairman of the Board, focusing on long-term strategy, industry relationships and the partnerships that have helped make Peak Performance a trusted resource for the manufacturing community.

For our manufacturers and partners, this isn't about changing who we are. It's about building on what we've created together and preparing Peak Performance for what comes next.

Lisa A. Thomas, incoming President & CEO of Peak Performance, Inc., and Denise M. Hall, founder and Chairman of the Board. Thomas will assume the President & CEO role effective October 1, 2026, as Peak Performance enters its next phase of growth.

So Why Lisa?

Lisa brings something to Peak Performance that we believe is incredibly important: she understands manufacturing from the inside.

With more than 30 years of experience across manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, strategic planning and executive leadership, Lisa has worked with organizations including Toyota North America, Pfizer, INVISTA, TechnipFMC and MFG Chemical.

She is also a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, bringing extensive experience in continuous improvement and operational excellence, two areas that have always been at the heart of Peak Performance's work with manufacturers.

But Lisa's experience isn't the only reason she is such a natural fit for Peak Performance.

She understands that sustainable growth doesn't come from technology or strategy alone. It comes from developing great people, strengthening operations and creating a culture where teams can perform at their best.

Throughout her career, Lisa has built a reputation for asking the right questions, tackling difficult challenges and turning ideas into action.

Those beliefs sound familiar to us because they are also central to the work we do every day.

Growing With Manufacturing

The manufacturing floor looks very different today than it did even a decade ago.

AI, automation, robotics, connected equipment and advanced manufacturing technologies are creating tremendous opportunities. But technology alone doesn't create a high-performing operation.

People do.

That's why our focus remains on the incumbent workforce: the people already inside manufacturing facilities who need the skills, leadership and confidence to grow alongside the technology around them.

Under Lisa's leadership, we see opportunities to expand our workforce development programs, strengthen our technical and leadership training, grow our industry and technology partnerships, and reach even more manufacturers.

We don't want growth simply for the sake of becoming bigger.

We want to grow our ability to solve problems for manufacturers.

That means listening to what you're experiencing on the plant floor, understanding where skill and knowledge gaps exist, connecting manufacturers with new technologies and expertise, and creating practical training that can be applied back on the job.

Denise Isn't Going Anywhere.

And yes, we know some of you are probably wondering...

Denise isn't going anywhere!

After building Peak Performance and developing relationships throughout the manufacturing community, Denise will continue that work as Chairman of the Board.

Her role will allow her to focus more heavily on the big picture: long-term strategy, industry partnerships, regional collaboration and finding new opportunities that can benefit Peak Performance and the manufacturers we serve.

As Denise describes it:

“This is not simply a change in leadership. It is an investment in where Peak Performance is going.”

Lisa will lead the organization and its day-to-day growth while Denise continues helping create the relationships and opportunities that move Peak Performance forward.

Come Meet Lisa on November 6

There couldn't be a more fitting place to introduce this next chapter than at one of our favorite days of the year.

We invite you to meet Lisa and connect with the Peak Performance team at the 12th Annual Peak Performance Symposium on November 6, 2026, at the PIE Innovation Center in Cleveland.

This year's theme is: Maintaining Competitive Manufacturing Operations Through Trade, Technology & Talent

We’ll be joined by Mark Graban, three-time Shingo Award-winning author and internationally recognized Lean leadership expert. Mark is the author of The Mistakes That Make Us and the forthcoming The Silence Tax: How Lean Leaders Drive Out Fear and Futility, arriving this fall. The Symposium will also bring together manufacturing leaders and industry partners for a day of meaningful conversations around the challenges, opportunities, and changes shaping manufacturing today. Attendees will also have the opportunity to take part in an exclusive Whirlpool plant tour.

Most importantly, it will bring our manufacturing community together.

What's Next?

More training. More partnerships. More technology. More opportunities to connect manufacturers with the resources they need.

But our purpose remains the same.

Develop people. Strengthen operations. Help manufacturers perform at their peak.

We're incredibly excited about what's ahead for Lisa, Denise, our team and, most importantly, the manufacturers we have the privilege of serving.

This is the next chapter of Peak Performance, and we're just getting started.

About Peak Performance, Inc.

Headquartered in Cleveland, Tennessee, Peak Performance, Inc. helps manufacturers strengthen their people, operations and ability to compete through workforce development, technical training, leadership development, operational excellence and advanced manufacturing technology.

Located at the Partnerships in Industry & Education (PIE) Innovation Center, Peak Performance works directly with manufacturers and industry partners to provide practical training and customized workforce solutions designed around the needs of today’s manufacturing environment.

To learn more, visit www.peakperformanceinc.com.