YSU hosts "Rebuilding America" advanced manufacturing summit

Manufacturers, educators, students, government officials and corporate representatives will attend the “Rebuilding America: North Eastern Ohio/ Western Pennsylvania Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathways Summit” Tuesday, Sept. 22 on the campus of Youngstown State University. The event is 7:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center. Sponsors include the OH-PENN Manufacturing Collaborative, Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership, YSU College of STEM, Regional Chamber and HAPCO Inc.

Introductory speakers include Gregg Sturrus, interim dean of YSU’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; YSU President Jim Tressel; Tom Humphries, president, Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber; and Robert McCracken, executive director, Lawrence County and Shenango Valley Chambers. Other presenters include Martin Abraham, provost and vice president of Academics Affairs at YSU; Eric Karmecy, Oh-Penn Pathways to Competitiveness project manager, West Central Job Partnership; Jessica Borza, sector partnership coordinator, Oh-Penn Manufacturing Collaborative; Darrell R. Wallace, associate professor, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, YSU; and John MaGill, assistant deputy chancellor Economic Advancement, Ohio Department of Higher Education. The summit also will include a discussion among Ohio manufacturers about current needs, trends and priorities, led by the Mahoning Valley Manufacturing Coalition, and a meeting exclusive to Pennsylvania manufacturers about common needs and the opportunity to join forces to replicate a successful manufacturing-led model to lead solutions and drive results.

At noon, U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan and Bill Johnson, and Brad Moore, district director for U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, will attend a networking lunch and legislative session, followed by a panel discussion with Dale Foerster, vice president, Starr Manufacturing Inc. and vice president, Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition; Michael Hripko, YSU associate vice president of Research, Youngstown State University and previously deputy director for Workforce and Educational Outreach at America Makes; Mousa Kassis, managing director, Global Export & Connections, Williamson College of Business Administration, YSU; and Bill Mack, human resources manager, MAC Manufacturing Inc. Andrea Wood, publisher of The Business Journal, will moderate the discussion.