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/Continental Breakfast
9:15 a.m.
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
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 – 1:30pm
Lunch and KEYNOTE:
An Update on Economic Development Across North Carolina
Chris Chung – CEO Economic Development Partnership of NC
1:45-2:45pm
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.
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
4:00PM-5:45PM
Vendor Tradeshow and Networking Reception
Day 2
8:00 AM
Continental Breakfast/Networking
8:50 AM
Opening Remarks/Announcements
9:00-10:00AM
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
10:30-11:30AM
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
Markus Rusznyak – Plant Manager, Wieland Copper Products
1:30-1:45PM
Closing Remarks and Networking Reception
Registration
Ticket Pricing
Early Registration (ends March 19)
Manufacturers: $299
Non-Manufacturers: $399
Regular Registration
Manufacturers: $399
Non-Manufacturers: $499
Hotel Information
Winston-Salem Marriott
425 North Cherry Street Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
Rate is $169 per night.