Events Recap

Welcome Remarks, May 5, 2026, 8:00 AM

Jeannine Kunz, Executive Director & CEO, SME

Keynote: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 8:30 AM

Inspiring Connection, Engagement & Loyalty in an Age of Growing Disconnection

Ryan Jenkins, Best Selling Author & Speaker, Sync Learning Experiences LLC 

Session: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 9:45 AM 

Securing Leadership Buy-In for Learning & Development   

John Hindman, Director, Talent & Workforce Services, Tooling U-SME  

Panel: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 9:45 AM 

Connecting People to Prosperity: A Framework for Sustainable Workforce Development by A. O. Smith 

Dr. Jeff McCord, President, Northeast State Community College 
John Whitfiled, Corporate Talent Development, A. O. Smith 
Lorie Adams, HR Supervisor, A. O. Smith
Warren Thomas, Workforce Development Coordinator, TCAT Dickson 

Panel: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 11:00 AM 

Standardizing the Sector: Rivian, Heartland & DCEO’s Unified Framework for Manufacturing Excellence 

Adam Campbell, Dean, Career & Technical Education, Heartland Community College 
Denise Moore, Founder/CEO, Black Business Alliance Peoria Chapter, Inc. 
Hugh Shadeed, Director, Learning & Development, Rivian 
Nate Keener, CEJA Central Regional Administrator, State of Illinois, Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity 

Panel: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 11:00 AM 

Ohio’s Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint 

Kyle Fulton, Executive Director, Central Ohio Manufacturing Partnership
Lauren Massie, Director, Workforce Services, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association
Shawn Hendrix, Talent Strategy Manager, JobsOhio
Terri Sandu, Director of Talent & Business Innovation, Lorain County Community College 

Session: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 3:15 PM 

Building the AI-Ready Manufacturing Workforce   

Dr. Brett Conner, Chief Manufacturing Officer, SME 
Dr. Timothy Wilson, Director, Technology Innovation & Strategy, SME 

Panel: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 3:15 PM 

An Earn & Learn Manufacturing Talent Pipeline   

Dr. Patty Weaver, Vice President of External Affairs, Pellissippi State Community College
Jay Easter, Central Services Maintenance Superintendent, Arconic Manufacturing  

Jeff Carson, Plant Maintenance Superintendent, McKee Foods Corporation 

Session: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 4:15 PM 

Rivet: Meet Your Connection

Keynote: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 8:15 AM 

Unleashing Passion, Purpose & Performance in Younger Generations  

Mark C. Perna, Speaker, Author, CEO, TFS Results 

Panel: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 9:45 AM 

Building the Future of Manufacturing Talent with Textron Aviation   

Jennifer Whitfield, Human Resources Director, Textron Aviation
Michele Glifford, Human Resources Director, Textron Aviation

Session: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 9:45 AM 

Mastering the Mega Trends Shaping the Next Generation of Talent   

Mark C. Perna, Speaker, Author, CEO, TFS Results 

Session: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 11:00 AM 

Raytheon’s Mission Driven Blueprint: Strategies to Grow, Retain & Prepare Engineers for Tomorrow’s Challenges 

Kassie Diaz, Sr. Principal Systems Engineer, Systems Engineering & Test Capabilities, Raytheon (RTX)  

Panel: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 11:00 AM 

Local Investment, Lasting Impact: Strengthening Manufacturing Talent in Northern Kentucky 

Christy Ensell, Principal, Ludlow High School 
Dr. Shelley Wooley, Director, Education Programs, SME Education Foundation
Gerry Otto, Chief Executive Officer, Charles L. Shor Foundation & Family Office 
Nancy Spivey, Vice President, Talent Strategies, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce 

Panel: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 1:00 PM 

Workforce Wins: Turning Industry Demand Into Scalable Talent Solutions  

Ben Kweton, President, Sheet Metal Supply LTD
Cheryl Childers, Human Resources Director, Cox Machine, Inc.
Dr. Richard Ammon, Executive Director of Workforce Initiatives, College of Lake County
Dr. Scott Lucas, Vice President of Manufacturing & Workforce Solutions, WSU Tech 

Panel: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 1:00 PM 

Building the Detroit Manufacturing Talent Pipeline: The Focus: HOPE Story 

Adino May, Management Professional, Organizational Development, Great Lakes Water Authority
Ashley Kemp-Watkins, Manager - Workforce, Training, & Economic Development, Magna International 
Dr. Donald Hutchison, Dean of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Macomb Community College  
Kevin Green, Manager - Machinist Training Institute, Focus: HOPE  

Panel: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 2:00 PM 

Building the Workforce, Not Waiting for it: Industry-Led Youth Pathways into Manufacturing 

Dan Fitter, Owner, Precision Machine Shop 
Denise Cowburn, Global HR Compliance & Analytics, Tooling U-SME 
Heidi Hazelbaker, Integration Manager & HR Analyst, Milacron 
Jamie Smith, Director of Curriculum, Grant Career Center 

Panel: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 2:00 PM 

Solutions to Hire, Onboard & Upskill the Right Talent   

Becca O’Toole, Sr. Partnership Development Director, Cengage Ready2Hire 
Matthew Thymian, Training & Development Specialist, rms Company 
Susan Boyd, Vice President, Human Resources, Rea Magnet Wire 

Keynote: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 8:30 AM 

Mission Critical: Developing a Future-Ready Workforce 

Jeannine Kunz, CEO – SME 

Panel: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 9:45 AM 

Reducing Machine Downtime: Using QR Codes for Maintenance

John Hindman, Director, Learning & Performance Improvement – Tooling U-SME 
Dan Sellhausen, Power Tool Accessory Prototyping – Milwaukee Tool 

Panel: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 9:45 AM 

Breaking the Mold: Transforming Traditional Hiring Methods 

Becca O'Toole, Partnership Development Director – Cengage Ready to Hire
Denise Cowburn, Sr. Client Executive/Workforce Development Specialist – SME
Matt Hladki, Chief Administrative Officer – Grede 

Panel: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 9:45 AM 

How Community Solutions Can Build Your Manufacturing Workforce 

Ashley Powell, Project Manager, Workforce Development – SME
Dennis Triggs II, Director of Employment & Workforce Development – Urban League of West Michigan
Matt Carr, President & CEO – Storch Magnetics
Terri Sandu, Director, Talent and Business Innovation – Lorain Community College 

Panel: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 11:00 AM 

Closing the Engineering Skills Gap: Onboarding, Upskilling & Machine Learning in Training 

Dan Sloan, Director of Industry & Workforce Partnerships – SME
Derek Anti, Global Director of Manufacturing Engineering – Cummins Machining Category
Geoff Lipnevicius, Senior Manager, Organizational Effectiveness – Lincoln Electric
Thomas Deslongchamps, Director of Training & Continuous Improvement – Pindel Global Precision 

Panel: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 11:00 AM 

A Diverse Talent Pipeline: Transforming Workforce Development & Employment 

Toni Neary, Director of Community Engagement & Workforce Innovation – SME
Joann Blumenfeld, Catalyst Founder & Director – North Carolina State University
Tara Havlicek, Program Manager, MEAF, Grants Management, Disability, Inclusion & Volunteer Engagement – Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation
Tara May, CEO – Aspiritech 

Panel: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 11:00 AM 

State Government & Manufacturing Associations: Partnering to Build a Stronger Workforce 

Allyssa Johnson, Program Manager – Workforce Development, SME
Dr. Mardy Leathers, Principal – Hashtag Strategies
Michael Eaton, Executive Director – Missouri Association of Manufacturers
Mike Frame, Executive V.P. – The Manufacturers Association & The Manufacturers Alliance of NY State
Nick Moore, Director – Alabama Governor’s Office of Education & Workforce Transformation 

Panel: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 3:30 PM 

Growing an Advanced Manufacturing Workforce With ManufacturingUSA Institutes 

Dan Sloan, Director of Industry & Workforce Partnerships – SME
Ed Herderick, EWD Director – America Makes
John Zappa, Director of Product Management – ARM Institute
Susan Ipri-Brown, Strategic Initiatives Manager – National Institute of Standards and Technology 

Panel: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 3:30 PM 

College Innovations for Inclusive Talent Development 

Dr. Deb Volzer, Director of Governments and Workforce Partnerships – SME
Dr. Annette Parker, President – South Central College
Dr. Janine Janosky, President – Richard J. Daley College
Dr. Juan E. Mejia, President & CEO – Tyler Junior College
Jeff Spain, Senior Director – Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) at Columbus State
Kelvin L. Byrd, Academic Dean – Greenville Technical College 

Keynote: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 8:30 AM 

Elevate Your Leadership & Transform Connection Into a Culture of Collective Excellence to Embrace AI 

Sara Ross, Founder & Chief Vitality Officer – BrainAmped 

Panel: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 9:45 AM 

RAMPing Up: Driving the Rivian EV Manufacturing Talent Pipeline 

Hugh Shadeed, Director of Learning and Development – Rivian 
Adam Campbell, Dean, Career & Technical Education – Heartland Community College
Dan McManus, Deputy Director, External Relations – Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Dan Sloan, Director of Industry & Workforce Partnerships – SME 

Panel: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 9:45 AM 

Retention from Day One: AI-Driven Engagement and Stay Interviews 

Denise Cowburn, Sr. Client Executive/Workforce Development Specialist – SME
Bethaney Mucci, Human Resource Director – Kent Elastomer
Dan Rabin, Senior Vice President, Partner Development – Mainstay 

Panel: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 11:00 AM 

Apprenticeship Pathways to Success: Exploring New York’s Talent Development Strategy 

Amy Stage, Director of Apprenticeship & Workforce Development – MACNY, The Manufacturers Association
Chris White, Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development & Upward Mobility – State University of New York
Christine McLear, Workforce Development Lead – GlobalFoundries
Greg Surtman, Workforce Development Manager – Tooling U-SME 

Panel: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 11:00 AM 

Preparing the Next Generation Workforce: Education-Industry Partnerships for Success 

Dr. Shelley Wooley, Director, Education Programs – SME Education Foundation
Paul Aiello, Executive Director - FANUC America Corporation
Daniel Rodriquez, Sales Director – Didactic NAM, Festo Didactic, Inc.
Jenny Geno, Workforce Development Specialist – Hemlock Semiconductors
Rob Baker, Physics & Engineering Teacher – Frankenmuth High School 

Panel: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 1:00 PM 

Building Sustainable Community Partnerships for Youth Apprenticeships: Lessons From the Carolinas 

Phil Leighton, Apprenticeship Program Leader – SCHUNK
Daniel A․ Theriault, Training & Development Specialist – Cummins
Greg Jones, Strategic Programs and Partnership Director – SME 

Panel: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 1:00 PM 

Building Workforce Pipelines: Leveraging State Funding for Industry & College Partnerships 

Barry Kinsey, Director of Workforce Development – Monroe County Community College
Brian Stavola, Training and Development Specialist – Constellium
Cynthia Brown, Associate Dean of Economic Development – Chattahoochee Tech
Denise Cowburn, Sr. Client Executive/Workforce Development Specialist – SME 

Workshop: Thursday, April 10, 2025, 10:30 AM 

Making the Case Workshop: Securing Leadership Buy-In for Learning & Development

John Hindman, Director, Learning & Performance Improvement – Tooling U-SME
LaDonna Moore, Program Manager – Tooling U-SME 

Workshop: Thursday, April 10, 2025, 10:30 AM 

Smart Workforce Workshop: Leveraging Industry 4.0 & IIoT in Additive & Subtractive Manufacturing 

Duane Hebert, Talent & Workforce Services – Tooling U-SME
Nat Frampton, CEO – LECS Energy LLC
Dan Sloan, Director of Industry & Workforce Partnerships – SME

Keynote: Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 8:15 AM
Make Your Business Human: Truths That Drive Organizational Success

Matt Havens Generational Expert

Industry Panel: Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 10:00 AM
Upskilling and Reskilling Initiatives for the Future of Manufacturing

Denise Cowburn Senior Client Executive/Workforce Development Specialist – Tooling U-SME attraction and retention.
Emily Caballero Learning and Development Manager – Component Repair Technology
Reagan Reid Human Resources Representative – Pella Corporation
Dr. Stacy Seaworth Aerospace Operations Training Manager – Woodward

Industry Panel: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 11:00 AM
Fostering Diversity in Manufacturing: Creating an Inclusive Talent Pipeline

Greg Surtman Workforce Development Manager – Tooling U-SME
John Wheeler Consultant & Board Member – Uniquely Abled
Greg Wasko Executive Vice President-Partner – Starn Tool & Mfg. Co. & Mecal by Starn
Neil Ashbaugh President/CEO – New Century Careers
Jason Spudic Vice President – True Position Inc
Terry Cousins Lead CNC Programmer – True Position Inc

Networking Session: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 1:00 PM
Networking Session

Industry Panel: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 3:00 PM
Building Bridges: Partnerships Between Industry and Education

Shelley Wooley Director, Educational Programs – SME
Dr. Barbara Wall Deputy Superintendent – Georgia Department of Education
Gerald Wyatt CEO – Thinc College and Career Academy, Lagrange, GA
Marco Brown, Human Resources Manager of Kia Georgia, Inc.

Keynote: Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 8:15 AM
Industry Pulse: Advancing Workforce Development
Jeannine Kunz Chief Workforce Development Officer – SME

Featured Speaker: Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 9:00 AM
Manufacturing Imperative and a Smart Manufacturing Mindset

Dan Sloan Director of Industry & Workforce Partnerships – SME

Industry Panel: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 10:00 AM
Improving Qualification Programs for Front-Line Leadership

Denise Cowburn Senior Client Executive/Workforce Development Specialist – Tooling U-SME
Dave Rea Managing Director of People Initiatives – Catalyst Connection
John Ciora Director of Operations – Schroeder Industries
Peggy McGee Manager, Learning Programs – American Axle & Manufacturing
Eliza Wiseman Human Resources Generalist – American Axle & Manufacturing

Industry Panel: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 11:00 AM
Strategic Approaches to Talent Acquisition in Manufacturing

Gretchen Schultz Director of Workforce Development – Tooling U-SME
Tiffany Loner-Diemer Senior Manager Learning and Development – West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
Beth Bittenbender Executive Director, Operations, Special Projects, and Workforce Development – Pennsylvania College of Technology
Danielle Demirovic Pre-Apprenticeship Supervisor – Pennsylvania Department of Labor

Featured Speaker: Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 1:00 PM
Planning Your World-Class Learning and Development Program

John Hindman Director, Learning and Performance – Tooling U-SME

Industry Panel: Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 2:00 PM
Innovative and Emerging Trends Advancing Training and Development

Dan Sloan Director of Industry & Workforce Partnerships – SME
Matthew Hladki Grede – Chief Administrative Officer
Becca O’ Toole Partnership Director – Cengage Group
Megan McInroy Head of Partnerships – Cengage Group
Darin Coats Operations Manager South Carolina Hub – Leadec
Christopher Ray Apprenticeship Supervisor – Stihl