As an economic development organization focused exclusively on the manufacturing sector, DVIRC received an award from the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to help strengthen the capabilities and competitiveness of the region’s small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) critical to the economy* and our national security. Through the DOD OEA project—known as the Manufacturing USA Access Project, or MAP— DVIRC is helping SMMs learn about and invest in Industry 4.0, (also known as Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, or AMTs), to improve their operations, and their workforce by establishing a Manufacturing Advisory Council.
DVIRC has convened a diverse group of leaders to determine how best to support regional small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) and catalyze a “manufacturing renaissance” based in the Delaware Valley.
Although the Advisory Council was formed to support the education and integration of new technologies – robotics, automation, digital analytics, cybersecurity, etc., – the members determined the most pressing issue to address are the current and future workforce challenges. As a result, the Council will:
- address the current workforce gap and determine how to help the manufacturing ecosystem find and attract talent at all levels,
- build a future talent pipeline by educating and encouraging middle-school and high-school students to pursue careers in manufacturing,
- undertake a sustained public relations campaign to generate awareness among parents and students of careers in manufacturing.
In addition to supporting the workforce issues, the Advisory Council will share best practices using new technologies through plant tours, presentations, videos, conference panels, webinars, and networking events, and will provide input into consideration of a physical manufacturing hub to support the entire ecosystem.
“As an economic development organization committed to the growth of manufacturers in the region, DVIRC is committed to helping them become as competitive as possible, and to accelerate the rate at which they invest in Industry 4.0 and in the continuous improvement of their workers and their businesses,” said Barry Miller, DVIRC’s President and CEO.
AMT Advisory Council Members
Business Community Members
Michael Araten, President & CEO, The Rodon Group
Michael Cook, Director Global Academic Partnerships, Rockwell Automation
Tony Forte, Vice President Manufacturing, Globus Medical
Al Frattarola, Director Global Engineering & Technology, Southco
Mark Goodman, Director, North American Industry Sales, Amatrol, Inc.
Michael Luber, Vice President Business Transformation & Operations, Liberty Coca-Cola
Christin (Cardone) McClave, former COO, Cardone Industries, Chief Coach/Consultant, Orange Star Ventures
Marco Musto, Account Manager – OEM Business, Rockwell Automation
Brian Shaffer, Director of Operations, Harold Beck & Sons
David Taylor, CEO, Tavo Packaging
Jim Williams, President, All Points Additive
Luke Wuthrich, Executive Vice President Operations, United Safety
Mike Giantomaso, Vice President, HR, Philly Shipyard
Workforce Development Members
Jennifer Butler, Executive Director, Montgomery County Workforce Development Board
Dan Fogarty, Executive Director, Berks County Workforce Development Board
Manufacturing USA Institute Members
Jennifer Pilat, Vice President, Strategy & Engagement, MxD (Manufacturing & Digital)
John Balchunas, Workforce Director, The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL)
Berardino Barratta, Vice President Projects and Engineering, MxD
Lisa Masciantonio, Chief Workforce Officer, ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing)
Linda Wood Senior Certification Manager, ARM
STEM Education Development Liaison Members
Nancy Peter, Director, McKinney Center for STEM Education, Philadelphia Education Fund
Britney Davis, STEM Project Manager, McKinney Center for STEM Education
Phil Brooks, Director of STEM Workforce Partnerships, University City Science Center
Community College Member
Kyle Longacre, Dean Workforce and Economic Development, Montgomery County Community College
Other Corporate Partners
William (Bill) DeVito, SVP / State Director, Public Affairs, Citizen’s Bank
Becki Lynch, Director of U.S. Community Partnerships, GSK
Kimberly Palladino, Collective Backbone Manager, U.S. Community Partnerships, GSK
Government Partners
Gianna Grossman, Director of Workforce Partnerships, City of Philadelphia
Dr. E. Michael Golda, CTO, Department of Defense Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division
Mary Ann Pacelli, Division Chief for Network Learning and Strategic Competitions, NIST/MEP
To learn more about or become involved in the Advisory Council contact Mark Basla, Chief Marketing Officer at mbasla@dvirc.org, 610-585-9969
Learn more about DVIRC’s commitment to AMT and work with the DoD.
*11.39% share of GDP in 2020 , National Association of Manufacturers