60 Seconds with John Chevalier
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?
My primary role as a Certification Technical Officer (CTO) at the Acton, MA office is to perform NQA Audit File Reviews, Contract Reviews for new business and assist internal and external stakeholders in providing guidance and technical support. Often that means answering questions, resolving issues, working on internal improvement projects and prioritizing reviews to ensure clients receive their certificates in a timely manner. Much of the work I do is time-sensitive, so I have to be very cognisant of that as well. I am also a certified Lead Auditor for the ISO 9001:2015 standard and periodically perform QMS audits for our clients.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT AT WORK?
Surviving my first annual ANAB audit! It is an intense 5-day review of audit files for different QMS schemes, with Aerospace (now my specialty) receiving the bulk of the focus. I was also able to assist Management with developing metrics on Auditor performance that was well received by ANAB during our audit, which surprisingly I received a Spot Award for recently. What some people don’t realize is that while we are a Certification Body, we are also audited on an annual basis to ensure we conform to ANAB and IAF requirements, just like our clients are audited to their respective standards.
FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT WORKING FOR NQA?
The comradery, professionalism and support shown here at the office. Everyone is knowledgeable in their roles and is always willing to assist with any issues.
We are like a work-family, looking out for each other. We gather regularly for “Lunch-and-Learns” that inform us of upcoming changes to the ANAB, IAF and International Standards landscapes. Also, as much as I like to eat, if you are on a diet NQA is not the place to be, as there is a constant flow of food (and ice cream!) always supplied here, including occasional 'themed' food days when everyone chips in and provides a pot-luck lunch we can all share in.
TOP TIP FOR PEOPLE LOOKING AT CERTIFICATION?
With the latter half of 2018 being the home stretch for many Management System Transitions, if you are looking to transition your organization to the next revision of your chosen standard, it is crunch-time and now is the absolute time to do it! It also requires a lot of careful planning, so if you have any questions about certifying your organization to any standard, reach out to Sales, Business Development or a Client Support Representative at NQA and they would be more than happy to help you figure it all out.
HOW MIGHT YOU BE ABLE TO HELP OUR READERS?
Even though I have just passed my first year anniversary at NQA, with six months of that being an Aerospace CTO, I would be happy to assist with any questions regarding expectations for OASIS Reporting, and what report content is anticipated to be seen in order to make the report completion and file review process a smooth one to reduce issues and ensure timely certificate issuance.