Okay, let’s tackle this. So Gary Alston has 18 years of experience as a Manufacturing Operations Manager, which is a significant amount of time. His skills like Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and Strategic Planning are in demand. However, his location in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is not a major hub for manufacturing, which might affect his earning potential. Considering his experience and skills, I would estimate his hourly rate to be around $75, which is a reasonable rate for a Manufacturing Operations Manager in the region. This rate is lower than what I would expect in major manufacturing hubs like Chicago or Detroit, but it's still a competitive rate for someone with Gary's experience and skills in a smaller market.