Meet CEPEDA's Management Team
CEPEDA has a dedicated group of managers that each have many years of service. If you have any questions feel free to contact us. Click the person's name to email them.
Star Dillard
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As President of CEPEDA Associates, Star supports the Navy and our sailors by managing a passionate team of skilled professionals who design, qualify, test, and manufacture critical equipment for U.S. Navy Submarines, while meeting the shipbuilders’ and Navy’s technical, quality, and scheduling requirements. Star’s job includes setting the short term and long term strategic goals of this company. She shares her vision for the mission, values, and culture of this 100% Navy contracting company with a specially selected senior management team and provides them with the appropriate tools, processes, and environment to facilitate carrying out CEPEDA’s strategies. Additionally, Star is a direct liaison between management and the Board of Directors. She manages bank financing relations and allocates capital to meet the goals of the strategic plan. Star began as controller of CEPEDA Associates in 1999 and since then, as a conscientious supply chain partner, has quoted and negotiated sole-source multimillion dollar contracts for Virginia Class Block III, Block IV, and Block V and Columbia Class Block I for new procurements. Star holds both a Master of Accountancy and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Louisville and began serving on CEPEDA’s Board of Directors in 2007.
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Eric Taylor, PE
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Eric holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degrees from the University of Louisville and is a licensed Professional Engineer with over 20 years' experience designing, building, and testing equipment that has endured the extremes of both U.S. Navy submarines and orbital flight aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor. For 15 years at CEPEDA, he has managed contracts for new designs, upgrades, and manufacturing and has been the Principal Investigator for several SBIR efforts. Eric leads a team of customer-focused problem solvers responsible for all technical aspects of CEPEDA’s products.
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Keith Hill
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Keith has been with CEPEDA since 2016. He has been in the steel fabrication industry for 34 years, 8 of those years in operation/plant management, and 24 of those years in quality management. He has strong team building and employee empowerment skills and over 22 years of experience in continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and 5S methodology. He has extensive knowledge and background in various quality systems and over 24 years' experience auditing quality systems. He is also an AWS Certified Welding Inspector and Certified Welding Educator.
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Michael Akers
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Michael has been with CEPEDA since 2014. He was hired as a tradesman but was quickly positioned in the Quality Assurance Department where he excelled as internal auditor in 2017. As internal auditor, he interacted with customers such as Electrical Boat and Newport News. He demonstrated how CEPEDA is meeting and exceeding their contractual needs through on-site audits. As the department grew, Michael continued to gain knowledge by completing ASQ training courses and applying what he learned to become the lead internal auditor. In 2022, he became the department leader, continuing to improve internal processes through teamwork while effectively communicating with other departments.
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Micah Bailey
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Micah holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degrees from the University of Louisville. Starting at CEPEDA in 2010 as a co-op in the engineering department, he gained several years of experience before transitioning to the machine shop to act as a liaison between the shop and engineering department while also learning the machining trade. As Production Manager, he is responsible for the daily operations of all manufacturing departments and works closely with other departments to ensure production is kept on schedule and contract requirements are satisfied. Micah also oversees CEPEDA’s Level 1 Program.
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Jamie Lyczak
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Jamie served as a Machinist Mate in the U.S. Navy submarine fleet. He gained 10 years' experience on the operation, maintenance, inspection, and repair of CO2 scrubbers and CO/H2 burners with the Navy. Jamie was a systems expert selected by Naval Sea Systems Command for naval nuclear submarine auxiliary equipment for the Performance Monitoring Team (PMT) in Norfolk, VA. Since he began with CEPEDA in 2002, his Navy experience and firsthand knowledge of CEPEDA's equipment have been invaluable.
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Tiffany Beauchamp
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Tiffany has been with CEPEDA since 2000 and has served in her current position since 2002. She and her team is dedicated to providing customers with competitive pricing and prompt, friendly service.
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