Paula Sommer is Managing Owner of Dynamic WorkSystems, LLC, an Arlington, Texas based consulting company focused on tailored solutions that leverage an organization’s human assets.  She provides executive coaching in the use of quality based methods to drive systemic improvement in leadership, organizational and management processes.  Paula’s use of Baldrige framework for systems management and leadership began in the Social Security Administration, where she implemented these methods and was recognized nationally “for contributing to the research and development of a leadership style credited with improving service, raising morale and increasing the efficiency of the Dallas region of Social Security.” She has served as a national Baldrige examiner, seven years as judge for the state Baldrige award -- the Texas Award for Performance Excellence (TAPE), four years as member of the Board of Overseers for TAPE, and two years as trainer for examiners for the state award.  Her client – Weatherford Independent School District – received the Texas Award for Performance Excellence in 2011. Paula also worked with Fort Worth, Keller and Deer Valley School Districts in their initial state applications. She worked with two national Baldrige recipients -- Freese and Nichols and City of Irving -- in their preparation for national site visit prior to their receiving national recognition.  In 2016 she was elected “Fellow” to the Texas Award for Performance Excellence. 

Paula’s practice draws from her experiences with Dr. W. Edwards Deming as a “Deming helper”; Dr. Igor Ansoff [father of strategic management] in translating his work to education; Dr. Joel Barker [futurist] in strategic management; Dr. Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits;  Dr. Robert Kinsel Smith [science of axiology – how we think]; Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt [theory of constraints] applying it to education and Dr. David Rock’s NeuroLeadership Institute [applying brain research to leading and coaching].  She is an American Society of Quality Fellow, a Quality Texas Fellow and a recipient of Ishikawa Medal, an international recognition for "contributions to an overall increase in the practical application of 'Total Quality.’"  She received a Bachelor of Science magna cum laude degree from Louisiana Tech University and holds numerous certifications related to quality methods, thinking, coaching and strategic management.

Paula has worked with governmental agencies, non-profits, industry and educational organizations.  Her publications include "Beginning the Journey Towards Baldrige", Journal of Quality and Participation, a series articles following the Baldrige journey of Keller Independent School District from October 2009 to 2012; Quality Tools for Classroom Application; “Tools for Thinking,”  “ASQ Certified Quality Management Self Study Materials”- Human Resource Section; 1992 Self-Assessment Criteria for President’s Quality Award; and the 1991 Self-Assessment Criteria for President’s Quality Award.