FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Michael Mullins
Director of Defense Industry Initiatives
NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES)
mrmulli2@ncsu.edu | 910-850-9707

Building a Collaborative Manufacturing Ecosystem In Support of the Department of Defense

Learn about resources for growth, innovation and opportunity for North Carolina manufacturers

Raleigh, NC – The Department of Defense’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC), announced that the state of North Carolina was selected to receive the designation as one of five “Defense Manufacturing Communities” in the nation during FY2020. On September 22, 2021, the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation awarded North Carolina State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) one of the five grants under the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP). The purpose of the DMCSP is to make long-term investments in critical skills, facilities, workforce development, research and development, and small business support to strengthen the national security innovation base.

The focus of this event is to provide information about resources for workforce, business growth, innovation and opportunity for North Carolina manufacturers, through the outreach program for the North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP) grant. 

This event is co-hosted by the Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DANC) and NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) Defense Industry Initiatives in partnership with Business High Point-Chamber of Commerce, Visit High Point and Heroes Center of High Point.

THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023

VENDORS SETUP

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST hosted by the Defense Alliance of North Carolina and catered by Lil’s Coffee Bar; fiji & perrier bottled water, orange juice & apple juice, freshly brewed coffee, hot tea – assorted flavors, assortment of seasonal pastries.

ARRIVALS, CHECK-IN & NETWORKING

WELCOME

• Visit High Point – Melody Burnett, CATP, President
• Heroes Center of High Point – Patrick Davis, MBA, Executive Director
• Business High Point-Chamber of Commerce – Brian Norris, IOM, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives

OPENING REMARKS & RECOGNITION OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
Why DANC? – Tammy Everett, Executive Director, Defense Alliance of North Carolina

INFORMATIONAL BRIEFINGS

• 10:10-10:30 am – Summary of the Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Manufacturing Community Program (DMCSP)  – Michael Mullins, Director, North Carolina Defense Industry Initiatives Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) at NC State University
• 10:30-10:50 am – Overview of the North Carolina State University, Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) – Kami Baggett, Regional Manager, North Carolina Defense Industry Initiatives Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) at NC State University
• 10:50-11:10 am –“’Reshoring’ A Talent Ecosystem in North Carolina’s Textile Industry: Establishing a Model for Workforce Development” – Dominick Stephenson, Director of Evaluation Services NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions
• 11:10-11:30 am – NC Frontline of the Future – Denny Lewis, Business Development Manager, Defense Industry, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC)
• 11:30-11:50 am – North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) – Rick Gilmore, Federal Business Development, Greensboro
• 11:50 am-12:10 pm – Office of Science, Technology & Innovation (OSTI One North Carolina Small Business Program) – Dave Kaiser, North Carolina Department of Commerce

QUICK BREAK

LUNCHEON Sponsored lunch catered by Kitchenology
Keynote speaker: Cameron Cruse, Co-founder, R. Riveter

“Veterans Supporting Manufacturing” Panel Discussion
Moderator:  Patrick Davis, MBA, Executive Director, The Heroes Center of High Point

• Veterans Bridge Home – Aaron Harper
• Recruit Military – Lucas Waniewski
• Hire Our Heroes US Chamber of Commerce – Craig Wymer (virtual)
• Employment Counselor, NC National Guard – Lauren Houston

QUICK BREAK

“Growing North Carolina Manufacturers Through Defense Contracting”
Panel Moderator: Michael Mullins, Director, North Carolina Defense Industry Initiatives Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) at NC State University

• Emerging Technology Institute (ETI) – James Freeman
• Burlington Industries – Ashley Bullock

CLOSING REMARKS

Business High Point-Chamber of Commerce – Brian Norris, Vice President, Strategic   Initiatives

NETWORKING WITH EXHIBITORS

ADJOURN

Join us for an informative session to learn about all the resources that are available for North Carolina manufacturers!

Date: Thursday, April 27, 2023, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

Location: Congdon Yards, 400 W. English Street, High Point, North Carolina 27262

Directions: www.congdonyards.com/directions

No cost to attend.  Plan to arrive early for parking, building access, coffee, pastries and NETWORKING!  Program begins promptly at 9:30AM.

***NOTE: parking will be in the lot in front of the Factory. Meeting will be located on the 3rd floor.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

Disclaimer: This North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program event was developed with financial support from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC), Department of Defense. The content of this event does not necessarily reflect the views of the OLDCC. It is meant to provide business information to defense contractors and others interested in the defense industry.

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About NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES)
NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) is the extension and outreach team for the College of Engineering and provides connections, networking with industry experts, and can help identify the resources, tools and customized programs needed to increase an organization’s productivity, efficiency, quality and profit.

About Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DANC)
The Defense Alliance of North Carolina is a private, nonprofit, organization focused on strengthening North Carolina’s defense sector and those who support it. The Alliance combines the powerful leadership of distinguished military officers and industry executives, a large and active membership base, and an impressive set of standing forums and events to support North Carolina’s government, military, business, and academic communities.