The Quality Guru (NOT) is now running for Governor of Michigan - again

February 2026

Perry Johnson recently announced that he was joining the GOP hunt for the governor’s office, with a campaign staff made up of Republican power players, Trump associates and a war chest forged from his personal wealth. He also said that he plans to spend 9 million dollars of his own money. I have had numerous texts and voice mails from him for the past week. I believe he is running a Super Bowl commercial too.

The Republican businessman and self-avowed “quality guru” ran for governor in 2022 before being tossed off the ballot in a fake petition signature scandal and then an abortive presidential run in 2024. He also ran for President (See Below).

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/26/michigan-businessman-perry-johnson-running-governor-republican/88362515007/

August 2023

Perry Johnson is now running for President. Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, who has loaned his longshot campaign for president more than $8 million and in July offered donors a $10 gas card as a thank you for a $1 donation, has failed to qualify for Wednesday's first Republican presidential debate, officials said, despite his extraordinary efforts to do so. He says he will be on stage for the 2nd GOP Debate.

Johnson, a self-described “quality guru” who made millions as a consultant on quality control standards, has so far loaned his presidential campaign more than $8 million.

Johnson spent more than $7 million of his own money on a run for Michigan governor last year only to be disqualified before the primary election after signature collectors his campaign and other campaigns hired presented fraudulent signatures.

What follows are posts from 2022:

Being a student of Quality Management, Process and Systems since 1978 I was surprised at the Super Bowl ad that introduced Perry Johnson as a candidate for Michigan Governor. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/01/27/republican-businessman-perry-johnson-joining-race-michigan-governor/9241033002/

The ad specifies Mr. Johnson as a Quality Guru. Mr. Johnson is best known for his work on the ISO 9000 Standards.

In 1994, I read his initial book on ISO 9000: Meeting the International Standards. I actually was certified as an ISO 9000 auditor back in the day of the 1980s and 1990s when I was certified in just about every Quality System that was known. I have written on this subject over the years and many posts are included in this Blog. http://qualityg.blogspot.com/search?q=iso+9000.

I will watch Mr. Johnson's candidacy with interest. I take the meaning (Title) of Quality Guru very seriously and it is usually bestowed upon someone who is a legend in their field and the title given by others. 

https://www.bizmanualz.com/improve-quality/who-are-the-top-quality-gurus.html

https://www.encyclopedia.com/management/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/quality-gurus

I could supply list after list and the same names will appear as being known as a true Quality Guru. Interestingly, I have read, witnessed and studied every name on these lists, and I have never once seen or heard any of them call themselves a Guru. In fact, most were very humble.

 The only name I would add that is not on many lists is Dr. Russel  Ackoff. https://management.curiouscat.net/articles/955-Interview-of-and-by-Dr-Ackoff-and-Dr-Deming

Sorry - I do not see Mr. Johnson's name on any of the lists.

Updated March 16, 2022

https://www.theballengerreport.com/whos-ahead-whos-a-flop-mirs-michigan-poll-tells-all/

Updated June 12, 2022, Quality 101 - Preventive Maintenance (PM)

It seems preventive maintenance (PM) was not part of Perry Johnson's campaign strategy. Basically, a sound "Quality" PM system must take in to account every step of the planning process from beginning to end to make sure all interdependent pasts are controlled and identified for possible problems or breakdowns.

A Republican candidate for Michigan governor lost a bid to get on the Aug. 2 primary ballot Wednesday in the first key court decision since election officials found campaign petitions rife with fraudulent signatures.

https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/perry-johnson-gop-candidate-for-michigan-governor-loses-key-ballot-ruling

Updated July 23, 2022 - Now What?

Perry Johnson is undecided about continuing as a write-in candidate after the courts refuse to let his name on the ballot. Wow! What a "Process" Breakdown. A "Systemic" Nightmare for a quality professional.

https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/perry-johnson-undecided-on-launching-write-in-campaign-for-governor-after-signature-snafu

Now What? - PUNT.... this game is over.

Ford Motor Com. - More Recalls - Just another 108,700... Updated 1/22/2026

 Ford needs to reimplement Dr. Demings Teachings and Principles on Quality (See Below)!

Happy New Year - 

Updated 1/22/2026 - More Recalls - Just another 108,700...  Guess What? It includes me! 

This has to do with the Liftgate Hinge Cover. Mine went missing last summer (2025) and I had no idea how it could just be gone. The fix was a new part (I waited a month). I could not believe they put it on in the Service Area Bay. It is held on by VELCRO. Yep, VELCRO - no other attachment or sealant. Just clip in and push down! Is that advance engineering or what!!

Updated 8/28/25 - Two more recalls this week! Urgent - Brake Fluid Leak

More Recalls - Just another 850,000...

https://autos.yahoo.com/articles/ford-issues-urgent-recall-nearly-175744174.html;_ylt=AwrEbgNAnrFoLgIAY.5XNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj

I have owned and leased a Ford for the past 30 plus years. I have never seen it this bad. My last lease 2022 Edge had 3 recalls. I had to wait weeks for an appointment and trying to get a loaner if the work took longer than a day was near impossible.

I loved my Edge (I leased three, before that Explore's and Escapes), but Ford decided to discontinue the Edge this year. However, the 3 recalls (One not being fixed after 2 tries) led me to turn it in with 17,000 miles on a three-year lease. I recently leased a new Ford, and a part flew off (Attached with VELCRO) the car after only owning it for one month, it has almost been a month for the part to be approved for warranty (You have got to be kidding). Now I am waiting for the part to be painted (It's been over a week). You would not believe the service bay where they are working on cars, it's filled with F-150s and Mavericks.

7/11/25 - 850,000 new vehicle recalls.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a65367186/ford-recall-faulty-fuel-pump-850000-vehicles-mustang-bronco-f-150-f-series-super-duty/

4/18/25 - Five more in one day...

Ford continues to set the recall record.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/ford-can-t-stop-recalling-cars-drops-five-more-at-once-updated/ar-AA1D8z02

4/07/2025 - Recalls Mounting ...

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/04/ford-cant-stop-recalling-cars-drops-4-recalls-again/

Ford continues to have recall woes. Yet, I see nothing that explains the reason for so many other than the parts and suppliers they use are sending faulty parts. 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-recalls-33k-bronco-sport-110900998.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

There are no end-to-end quality measures or plans built into their processes or systems. 

qualityg says “What Gets Planned and Measured Gets Done” 

1/23/2025 - More Recalls

Ford is recalling over 272,000 Bronco Sport SUVs from the 2021 through 2023 model years and Maverick pickup trucks from the 2022 through 2023 model years. These vehicles have defective batteries that could suddenly fail while the SUV or pickup is in use. The batteries were made in China!!

1/11/2025 - Original update

Ford Motor Company needs to reimplement Dr. Demings Teachings and Principles on Quality!

 I have owned six different Ford vehicles over the past 20 years. The quality of the vehicles has gotten worse over the past five years. In fact, Ford leads all car manufactures in recalls.

In 2024, Ford ranked 2nd in Recalls. https://fordauthority.com/2024/12/ford-ranked-second-for-most-issued-recalls-of-2024/

This article was just published 1/8/25 - https://www.motorbiscuit.com/ford-recalls-f-super-duty-other-suvs-cars/

I personally have had three experiences (Recall - Power Module and Battery) this year with problems on my 2022 Ford Edge (I love the Edge and terribly disappointed that Ford will no longer make this model). My dealership is swamped with Ford Escapes (Including Hybrid), Mavericks, F -Series Trucks and Edges with many recent recalls in the past 2 months. Getting an appointment takes weeks if not months. P/S - My rear lift hatch closes on its own. I brought it in two times, and they say its fixed. I say it's not.

This has led me to remember back in the 1980's when Ford Motor company had Dr. Deming help them with their Quality efforts. 

Ford Motor Company called upon Dr. Deming to help. According to Don Petersen, former CEO and board chairman of Ford, Deming's approach was the key to the turnaround in the fortunes of Ford. Waste was reduced, labor relations improved, customer satisfaction increased, and Ford was able to stay in business and compete again. Petersen is unequivocal about the basis for Ford's success: "People want to do a good job. Dr. Deming's ideas and concepts, as we got them going through our system, gave people more and more this feeling that they had a better chance to do a good job. The rate of improvement, in many ways, was much greater than anything we could anticipate."

Many Deming disciples from Ford Motor Company began distinguished quality careers based on the teachings of Dr. Dr, Deming. Most notably was Dr. Edward Baker. Perhaps it's time to bring him back!

https://deming.org/our-team/edward-martin-baker/

It's time Ford Motor company management reevaluate their Quality Principles and begin to implement for an end-to-end perspective. 

Management owns the system. For more on Dr. Deming please read - https://qualityg.blogspot.com/search/label/Dr%20W.Edwards%20Deming

Students need their teachers full-time in their classrooms

Students need their teachers full-time in their classrooms as much as possible. Continuity and stability are vital to a student's education. This is more critical for special education students.

Subjects like Math and Reading need consistent learning so the material can be learned and retained. Most importantly, the full-time teacher understands his/her students the best and can supply situational learning instead of a substitute who monitor's a study/work lesson. Continuity learning is most critical for elementary and Middle School students. Unfortunately, many students are being taught from substitutes and student teachers who are not proficient in the critical subjects of reading, math and science.

I have blogged before about my substitute teacher friends who can work full time if they want because of the need to fill in for the regular teachers who are off doing testing or conferences. The other major problem is the shortage of teachers and the rapid rate of those leaving the profession. Sadly, this is not from retirement but from frustrated teachers who had no idea what the real job is before getting a degree,

The Anxious Generation - Recommended reading for the new year.

 I was talking to my nephew's girlfriend on Christmas who is a middle school math teacher. It was quite obvious she is very devoted and committed to providing her students a good education despite all of the human (Primarily Parents) and technological barriers that teachers must overcome on a daily basis.

She recommended a book called:

https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/

Here is an interesting and insightful recommendation from Bill Gates. 

https://www.gatesnotes.com/the-anxious-generation

 In addition, I have found this article very educational as I look back and remember growing up with no cell phones or computers. 

https://vegoutmag.com/lifestyle/gen-psychology-says-if-you-had-a-60s-or-70s-childhood-these-8-experiences-shaped-your-brain-differently-than-todays-kids/

No Healthcare Plan, NO Christmas Break! Update 12/25/25 - Coal for your Stockings

According to the last government shutdown and the newest buzzword "Affordability" the halls of congress better be filled with congressional people and not boughs of holly until they come up with a solution.

If Healthcare is so important, then this means NO and I mean NO Christmas break until they find a solution. Do Your Job!! 

It's proven time and time again you are not capable of doing your jobs, and you certainly should not be enjoying the Christmas break while according to your pathetic leaders who go on national television spewing that people are dying without healthcare and can't eat and have no heat ...

And for you who don't believe in Christmas ... 

Get you Zoom and Facetime links set up because I'm sure your families will want to wish you all the best on Christmas morning.

Updated December 11th - the Senate voted today to reject two proposals addressing this so-called “subsidy cliff.” One from Democrats offered a three-year extension, and one from Republicans would have let the tax credits expire and instead encouraged the use of health savings accounts. Both measures garnered 51 votes for and 48 against, but they needed 60 votes to advance.

Updated December 25th - no surprise here, congress went home for the holidays! Hopefully, Santa brought you all coal for your stockings. 

In addition, my promise and New Years Resolution to all (Democratic and Republican) INCUMBENTS is I will not vote for any of you this November. Not a one! You do not represent your constituents or your country. You only support yourself and your Party.