Cherlyn J Foster
Enrichment Systems Fabrication and Demonstration Section Head
Bio
Cherlyn Foster is the section head for Enrichment Systems Fabrication and Demonstration within the Enrichment Systems and Engineering Division. The section supports deployment of new enrichment technology by fabricating and demonstrating systems utilizing operational excellence best practices. The section strives for top performance in safety, security, quality, accuracy, documentation, parts availability, and minimal system downtime. Process improvement and manufacturing are her areas of expertise.
Professional Experience
Cherlyn has over 25 years of experience in operations leadership, process improvement, project management, and metallurgical engineering. Cherlyn Foster joined ORNL as a stable isotopes process and manufacturing engineer in 2020 and became Stable Isotopes Materials and Chemistry Group Leader in 2021. As part of that group, she developed and executed manufacturing and process improvement strategies; deployed continuous improvement process by identifying, assigning, and assisting in completion of projects; and improved internal team planning processes. Cherlyn previously served in several management roles for the global aluminum company ARCONIC (formerly Alcoa) in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Kansas. She received a patent for her role in developing an alclad inset into a grooved ingot. She is a Certified Six Sigma Green Belt and completed several other leadership development programs. She was named one of Automotive News’ “Top 100 Leading Women.”
Education
Cherlyn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in metallurgical and materials engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden and a Master of Business Administration degree from St. Ambrose University in Iowa.