MFGCON The NC Manufacturing Conference. Powered by NCMEP and Business North Carolina

Conference Agenda

Workforce and Leadership Excellence

Operational Excellence

Technology, Innovation and Strategic Growth

Day 1

Thursday, April 20

Day 2

Friday, April 21

Day 1

7:30-9:15 AM

Exhibitor Set-up/Registration and Networking/Coffee and Light Refreshments

9:15 AM

Opening Remarks:
Phil Mintz – NCMEP
Ben Kinney – Business NC

Keynote: We’ve Tried Everything to Attract and Retain Talent…What’s next??
Doug Blizzard – Chief Solutions Officer, Catapult

10:45-11:45 AM
BREAKOUT SESSION 1

Workforce and Leadership Excellence Track:
Industry Working Together

James Flock – General Manager, HSM Machine Works

Operational Excellence Track:
Manufacturers Panel Discussion: Thriving During Challenging Times
Sponsored by Bank of America

Norbert Kozar – Precision Swiss Products East
Melissa Kozar – Precision Swiss Products East
Luke Taylor – Omni Mold & Die
Mitch Day – Dayco Manufacturing
Dean Harmon – Empire Machine and Fabrication
Allan Swicegood – American Machining Solutions (Moderator)

Technology, Innovation and Strategic Growth Track
An Innovative Approach to Finding Skilled Workers

Jeff Wyco – Dean for Industrial, Construction, and Transportation Technology, Guilford Technical Community College
Scott Russo – Senior Manager, Technical Workforce Development, Toyota North American Production Support Center (NAPSC), Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBMNC)
Layel Burton – Apprenticeship Coordinator, Ziehl-Abegg, Inc.
Tony Davis – National FAME Director, The Manufacturing Institute (Moderator)

Noon – 1:30 PM

Lunch and KEYNOTE:
An Update on Economic Development Across North Carolina

Chris Chung – CEO Economic Development Partnership of NC

1:45-2:45 PM
BREAKOUT SESSION 2

Workforce and Leadership Excellence Track:
Leading for Success

Geoff Foster – President and CEO of Core Technology
Felicia Woodard – Senior Vice President, Bank of America.

Sponsored by Bank of America

Operational Excellence Track:
An Introduction to Predictive Maintenance in the Age of Automation

Andrew Pearl – VP of Reliability, EMCO Industrial
Brandon Moses – Lead Reliabilty Engineer, Berry Global

Technology, Innovation and Strategic Growth Track:
Cybersecurity/Risk Preparedness for Manufacturing Companies

Eric Hobbs – President, Technology Associates
Jeanne Taylor – CEO, Shopbot Tools

3:00-4:00 PM
BREAKOUT SESSION 3

Workforce and Leadership Excellence Track:
Employee Recruitment and Retention Strategies to Build Business Resilience

Debbie Sigmon – MPA, VP of HR and Safety, Meridian Specialty Yarn Group, Inc.
Aaron Dawson – Senior Director of Workplace Development, The Industrial Commons
Lisa Finaldi – Community Engagement Leader, NC Early Childhood Foundation

Operational Excellence Track:
The Power of Resilience: Managing Change in Manufacturing & the Impact on Employee Engagement

Katrina Thompson – Chief People Officer, FORVIS
Jeff Outten – Chief Change Officer, FORVIS
Other Speaker TBA

Technology, Innovation and Strategic Growth Track:
All Things LinkedIn for Manufacturers

Teddy Burris – LinkedIn Strategist, Trainer and Coach

Panel Sponsored by Michael Best

4:00PM-5:45 PM

Vendor Tradeshow and Networking Reception

Day 2

8:00 AM

Continental Breakfast and Panel Discussion:
Great Ideas in Manufacturing

Gary Salamido – President and CEO, NC Chamber (Moderator)
Ashley and Rex Carriker – Queen City Engineering
Tim Marini – Baxter
John Oswald – Mills Manufacturing

Other Speakers TBA

8:50 AM

Announcements

9:00-10:00 AM
BREAKOUT SESSION 4

Workforce and Leadership Excellence Track:
Fast Track to Hiring Qualified Employees

Jamie Barnes – BSH Home Appliances
Eddie Foster – Dean of The Volt Center

Operational Excellence Track: NCSU-IES Student Projects and Timer Pro Multifaceted utilization in process documentation and improvement

Haleh Byrne – Product Lead – Industrial Engineering, Systems and Student Projects
Kami Baggett – Regional Manager
Nick Cornett – Operations Director, Betco Inc

Technology, Innovation and Strategic Growth Track:
What You Need to Know to Expand Your Business Through International Trade

Derek Chen – Founder/Principal, Strategic International
Blake Jackman – International Trade Manager, EDPNC

10:00-10:20 AM

Networking Break with Exhibitors

10:30-11:30 AM
BREAKOUT SESSION 5

Workforce and Leadership Excellence Track:
Work Release and Re-entry; Individual, Company, and Economic Impact

Sandra Jenkins – HR Manager, STI Textiles
Brandon Ruppe – Executive Director, Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership

Operational Excellence Track:
Online Supplier Opportunities for North Carolina Manufacturers

KeAnne Hoeg – Director of Data Management, Marketing and Reporting, NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions
Melissa Sharp – NC State University Wilson College of Textiles
Tim Malone – Data Management & Programming Technician, NC Military Business Center
Other Speakers TBA

Technology, Innovation and Strategic Growth Track:
Expand Your Market through Federal Contracting

Bryan Gresock – CEO, Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions
Michael Mullins – Director, Defense Industry Initiatives, NC State Industry Expansion Solutions
Scott Dorney – Executive Director, NC Military Business Center

11:35am-1:30 PM

Awards Luncheon with Closing Keynote:
Wieland’s Cultural Transformation in a Rural Area

Davide Varze – President, Wieland Copper Products
Markus Rusznyak – Plant Manager, Wieland Copper Products

1:30-1:45 PM

Closing Remarks and Conference Concludes

Printable Agenda