Ratzenberger spent some time there mingling with attendees and MEP staff to reinforce his message.
SME has been a supporter of the event and the MEP network for a number of years, primarily because it shares a mission to support small and medium-sized manufacturers. This year, SME was highly engaged in Manufacturing Innovations 2012. SME members and staff delivered almost half of the conference sessions at the event, and SME hosted an industry panel addressing innovation and business development for the benefit of the attendees. Many of the members commented on the natural synergy between MEP and SME, and the value of the partnership between the two organizations. Roger Kilmer, director of the MEP program for NIST, said that “Having SME as a partner for Manufacturing Innovations 2012 really helps us to deliver the voice of the industry to ensure the MEP network is maximizing value for the industry. ”
2012 SME Officers and Directors PRESIDENT
LaRoux K. Gillespie, Dr. Eng., FSME, CMfgE, PE Honeywell (retired)
PRESIDENT-ELECT Dennis S. Bray, PhD, FSME Contour Precision Group, LLC
VICE PRESIDENT Michael F. Molnar, FSME, CMfgE, PE National Institute of Standards and Technology
SECRETARY/TREASURER Wayne F. Frost, CMfgE John Deere Waterloo Works (retired)
DIRECTORS Dean L. Bartles, PhD General Dynamics Corporation
Sandra L. Bouckley Eaton Corporation
Paul D. Bradley, LSME, PE Peterson Industries Pty. Ltd.
Warren R. DeVries, PhD, FSME University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Edward G. Halloran, LSME, CMfgE, PE HALCO Management Systems
Matthew L.Hilgendorf, CMfgT Caterpillar, Inc.
Thomas R. Kurfess, PhD, FSME, CMfgT, PE Clemson University
SME also attended the onsite meeting of the MEP National Advisory Board, on which several SME members serve. The board addressed a number of strategic is- sues for manufacturing in the US, including workforce readiness and development. Dennis Dotson, incoming chair of the MEP National Advisory Board and an SME member, said “SME’s engagement in the national conversation around manufactur- ing is essential, and the society’s partnership in Manufacturing Innovations 2012 is a clear sign of its commitment to a healthy industry. ” SME plans to continue its support of the MEP, and members who are part of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies can find their local MEP center alongside SME chapters in various states by visiting sme.org/chapters and selecting the state where your business resides. SME will also be a partner for Manufacturing Innovations 2013, currently planned for April 27–May 1, once again in Orlando, FL.