Joseph DeFeo

Joseph A. DeFeo is an experienced executive and recognized authority in quality management and operational excellence. He served as the CEO of Juran Institute, a global consulting firm specializing in quality management and business excellence.12

Career Highlights

DeFeo has a long history with Juran Institute, having worked there for over 35 years. He initially joined the company and worked under its founder, Dr. Joseph M. Juran, and Dr. Godfrey. Over time, he rose through the ranks to become COO and eventually CEO.2

Currently, DeFeo is associated with Attain Partners, where he holds a leadership position.2 He continues to be involved with Juran as the Chairman and Executive Adviser.3

Expertise and Contributions

DeFeo is widely recognized as a leading expert in:

• Quality management
• Operational excellence
• Lean Six Sigma
• Quality by Design
• Hoshin Planning and Strategy Deployment
• Cultural Excellence

He has authored several influential texts in the field, including "Juran's Quality Handbook: The Complete Guide to Performance Excellence," which is considered a go-to resource for quality management and operational excellence leaders.3

Education and Certifications

DeFeo holds:

• A Master of Business Administration (MBA) focused on Accounting and Operations from Fairfield University
• A Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting from Providence College
• Certifications as a Black Belt and Master Black Belt in DMAIC and DMADV from Juran
• The title of Juran Fellow
• Recognition as an IAQ Academician from the International Academy for Quality2

Legacy and Impact

As the successor to Dr. Joseph M. Juran, DeFeo has played a crucial role in carrying forward Juran's work in quality improvement. He has been instrumental in adapting and applying Juran's methodologies to modern business challenges, leveraging technology to spread these principles globally.14