About Semper Kaizen
The Beginning
Semper Kaizen started 30 years ago when our President received his honorable discharge from the US Marine Corps. During his service, he witnessed how “Kaizen” (small incremental changes) could profoundly impact people, processes, and team performance.
As Vice President for a large credit union for the past twenty years, he saw similar results, with measurable team member improvements and sustained growth for the credit union and the families we served.
Driven by a passion for serving others and adding value for over forty years, he founded Semper Kaizen with Eugene H. Peterson’s quote as his guide: “Unrelenting disappointment makes the heart sick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.” Our goal is to be that “good break” for others, embodying a life’s calling and passion.
Semper Kaizen,
Donald E. Coleman, President
Why Semper?
"Semper Fidelis," meaning “Always Faithful,” is the motto of the Marines. It symbolizes their sacrifice and loyalty to one another and our country. "Semper," meaning “always,” honors the Marine Corps and represents our commitment to always moving towards continuous improvement.
Why Kaizen?
Kaizen is the Japanese word for continuous improvement or improvement for the better. We believe Kaizen is more than just a methodology; it’s a lifelong personal enrichment journey. Serving in the Marine Corps taught our founder the true meaning of service, inspiring the name “Semper Kaizen” to reflect a commitment to continuous improvement and serving others.