MassMEP is proud to present Manufacturing Your Future Smart Manufacturing, “Navigating Advanced Technologies in the Workforce” is a journey of continued improvement & innovation through advanced technologies, process enhancements and integrated information that provides manufacturing companies a competitive advantage. This event is for Massachusetts manufacturers to come together, take a deep dive through the components of advanced technologies in the workforce and the importance of building a roadmap in Workforce & smart manufacturing to remain competitive and see direct impacts to the bottom line.
Join us on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the Polar Park – DCU Club Level – in Worcester for Manufacturing Your Future Smart Manufacturing.
Manufacturers across Massachusetts looking to network, learn, and explore growth opportunities with Smart Manufacturing should attend.
Join our Subject Matter Experts in:
The Lineup…
Keynote Speaker – Jane Arnold
Jane Arnold is a seasoned industry executive with over three decades of experience in chemical, discrete, and additive manufacturing. As a digital leader in Industry 4.0, she is dedicated to enhancing the impact of manufacturing through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Throughout her career, Jane has held executive positions at Stanley Black and Decker and Covestro, where she was responsible for spearheading digital transformations. Jane has her own advisory business and serves as a board member. Most recently Jane joined Aperio as Chief Customer Officer where they are focused on the industrial data quality problem. Aperio.ai
Breakout Sessions
Unlocking Efficiency: Integration of 3D Printing for Rapid Prototyping, Fixturing, and Streamlined Operations
Delve into the integration of 3D Printing and witness your business’ transformation. By incorporating 3D Printing into daily tasks, not only does it accelerate processes and stimulate creativity, but it also significantly shortens lead times and enhances supply chain resilience. See how rapid prototyping and fixture creation empowers your team, delivering tangible results and reinforcing a culture of innovation and efficiency.
Speakers
Over the past 20+ years, Ted Greene has held various Professor roles in the Mechanical Engineering department at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. He has been heavily involved in several of the hands-on engineering laboratory classes at WIT, most recently, he was responsible for teaching undergraduate courses and a new graduate offering that makes full use of the additive manufacturing lab at WIT. Ted has achieved certifications in Additive Manufacturing from SME, Dassault Systemes (SolidWorks), and Stratasys Ltd. Ted’s previous experience with an industrial career that spanned over 10 years working in local manufacturing companies as a Process Engineer, allowed him to gain experience in the full manufacturing cycle of non-ferrous and precious metals used for industrial connectors and other OEM applications.
Julia Toplyn is an applications engineer at Aimtek, a provider of high-quality metal joining products and services to the Aerospace, Defense, Medical, Automotive, and Manufacturing industries. She is primarily responsible for creating custom silicone masking solutions. Her role focuses on the design and manufacture of masking solutions; particularly, through executing a variety of manufacturing methods, such as 3D-printing, laser cutting, CNC, and manual machining processes, to create the most effective masking solutions for the customer. In her career she branched out to machining and production focused manufacturing at Silverside Detectors, a high-efficiency neutron detector for modular and scalable systems. She has since found her way back to 3D-printing in her undergraduate studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where she studied Mechanical Engineering with a focus in additive manufacturing, primarily through her research in 3D-Food Printing alongside the Natick Soldier Center as well as designing and manufacturing her own 3D-Food Printer.
Simple, Real Smart Manufacturing Solutions In Action
Explore technologies and strategies that enable quick integration of data-driven insights into the manufacturing process. Hear from a local manufacturer who has adopted simple smart manufacturing solutions to create a digital twin of their operations (that have not changed in decades) to bring real-time monitoring and process analytics to their factory – with no changes in the process itself, or the team managing it! See demonstrations of other small manufacturers leveraging simple SM tools resembling your factory.
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Speaker
Rob Schoenthaler is the Director of CESMII’s Smart Manufacturing Road Show Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center (SMIC). SMIC is a center of excellence that focuses on building Smart Manufacturing ecosystems, enabling access to small, medium, and large businesses, connecting manufacturing assets to the CESMII SM Interoperability platform, national policy development, industry awareness, and workforce development. He brings 25 years of experience in enterprise software, big data analytics, IIoT, operations strategy, supply chain, and large-scale program management to ThinkIQ. He is also the CRO of ThinkIQ, a leading provider of Smart Manufacturing Platform technology, and a strategic technology partner of CESMII.
Breaking Barriers: The Connected Worker – Integrating Technology into Your Workforce
This session is your gateway to discovering tools that directly tackle the challenges encountered in harnessing the full potential of your manufacturing operations. Embark on a transformative journey to explore the vital role of the workforce as the cornerstone of operations and delve into how cutting-edge technologies can boost their capabilities. Join us as we navigate the imperative for real-time production visibility and discuss the pitfalls of unsuccessful smart manufacturing initiatives.
Speakers
Madilynn Castillo is the Head of Marketing at Tulip Interfaces, where she champions a human-centric approach to operational technology. Tulip, a spinout of the MIT Media Lab, is democratizing operational tech by combining user-centric no-code capabilities with powerful native technologies like computer vision, generative AI, and edge connectivity.
Filip ‘Flip’ Losowski is the Director of Operations
Inkbit
Filip ‘Flip’ Losowski is the Director of Operations at Inkbit, an MIT-spinoff advanced additive manufacturing startup. With a combined 14 years of experience in traditional machining, machine tool manufacturing, and multi-material 3d printing, Filip’s vision is architecting the bridge from subtractive manufacturing principles to an open landscape of flexible, smart manufacturing. Drawing on his experiences at Supfina, a 100 year old German machine tool firm with established structures and methodologies, and combining that with the challenges of building a ground-up supply chain, inventory, and manufacturing ecosystem at Inkbit, Filip aims to leverage lean Industry 4.0 ideas with a priority on efficient scalability.
Collaborative Strategies in Supply Chain Management and Cybersecurity for Prime Contractors
Join us for an insightful discussion featuring key industry players in aerospace and defense supply chain management, cybersecurity, and strategic partnerships. Our panelists from General Dynamics, Synagex, Sinicon Plastics, and MassTech will share their experiences and best practices in navigating supply chain challenges, selling into prime contractors, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and leveraging resources for sustainable growth.
We will delve into how our panelists collaboratively addressed the complexities of supply chain management, cybersecurity, and workforce development, ultimately driving success for Sinicon Plastics. From General Dynamics’ initial engagement to Synagex’s compliance efforts and MassTech’s support in securing funding, learn how each organization played a crucial role in Sinicon Plastics’ journey towards excellence.
Speakers
John Sinopoli‘s leadership experience comes from over 20 years in business technology and IT solutions. Over 17 of those years have been in service to large financial institutions. His combined leadership experience in banking as well as small business strategic IT consulting gives him a unique blend of perspectives to help shape the vision serving Synagex clients.
Lily Fitzgerald is the Senior Manager, Advanced Technology Programs at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, where she manages the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) and Manufacturing Cybersecurity Program (MCP) grants and leads cluster development for the bioindustrial manufacturing and additive manufacturing sectors. Prior to joining MassTech, Lily spent nine years in the synthetic biology industry including at Ginkgo Bioworks, where she worked as an early engineer in Ginkgo’s laboratories and later founded the Public Policy team, as well as the MIT Media Lab. She has an M.S. in Technology Policy from MIT and a B.S. in Environmental Science from UMass Amherst.
Suzanne Johnson Trinh
Manager of Supply Chain Management, Supplier Diversity, General Dynamics Mission Systems
As the Manager of Supplier Diversity for General Dynamics Mission Systems, Suzanne is responsible for influencing spend strategy within General Dynamics Mission Systems Supply Chain, and helping to align business needs with the capabilities of small business suppliers. She has a passion for helping small businesses become compliant with cyber requirements, so they can continue to work in the defense space. Suzanne has 25 years of experience in supply chain, compliance, contracts, accounting, and finance, and almost a decade of experience in the aerospace and defense sector working with and advocating for small businesses. Suzanne currently lives in San Diego, CA and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from San Diego State University. General Dynamics Mission Systems is a business unit under the Technology business group of General Dynamics, a global aerospace and defense company.
Freddy Lawrence
Director of Supply Chain Management, Maritime and Strategic Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems
As the Director of Supply Chain Management for our Maritime and Strategic Systems (M&SS) Line of Business, Freddy is responsible for supporting over 100 programs primarily for the USN customers which include: Surface Platform Integration; Undersea vehicles and networks; Strategic Deterrents; Nuclear Command and Control; Torpedoes & Sensors; and Airborne Structures/Optics. Several programs span a 50-year legacy for General Dynamics Mission Systems with contracts planned for decades to come. For M&SS Supply Chain, our challenges include build to print sourcing limitations, safeguarding an abundance of CUI, and a high-mix low-volume environment. At General Dynamics Mission Systems, we strategically leverage our diverse supplier network to deliver state-of-the-art solutions to meet customer needs, consistently maintaining the highest standards of quality while adhering to budgetary constraints. Our commitment to positioning our small business partners for success is evidenced by our collaborative work to ensure compliance with complex defense industry regulations. Additionally, we facilitate invaluable networking opportunities for our suppliers, providing access to a comprehensive suite of resources. Moving forward, General Dynamics Mission Systems will continue identifying and capitalizing on innovative opportunities to support our supplier partners.
Manufacturers and AI: Decoding the What and Why
Embark on a journey of practical insights to uncover the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in manufacturing and gain actionable knowledge on how to apply these principles to your own shop. Beyond the theoretical, explore real-world applications outside the realm of chat GPT, emphasizing the tangible impact AI can have on your operations. Understand why data is the essential first step and how harnessing its power can lead to informed decision-making and enhanced efficiency within your manufacturing processes.
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Speakers
Mark Roth
Managing Partner Scale Up Labs & Spinnaker Venture Partners
Mark has over 25 years of experience as a corporate executive, entrepreneur and consultant and is considered a leading expert on technology and innovation management to drive value in technology-based businesses. His broad experience spans numerous industries with an extensive background in the chemicals, semiconductor, transportation, and consumer goods markets. Mark has held leadership R&D positions in Rockwell International, Honeywell, and Engelhard Minerals and Chemicals and has provided management consulting on corporate and business development issues to emerging technology businesses.
Andrea Ridi
Partner at Spinnaker Venture Partners
Andrea Ridi is an accomplished entrepreneur with a keen vision for the future of Artificial Intelligence and a strong advocate for Italian innovation in the USA. Since beginning their career in 2012 as President of i2 S.r.l., Andrea has taken on numerous influential roles, including Founding Venture Partner at AccelHUB and CEO of Accelerate Italy. They also contribute to the educational field as a Professor of Entrepreneurship at Hult International Business School. Andrea’s educational background is robust, holding an M.Sc. in Physics from Università degli Studi di Genova and an EMBA from Hult International Business School.
Innovating Workforce Excellence: Leveraging the Benefits of Neurodiversity in Manufacturing
Hiring individuals with autism brings specialized skills like attention to detail and precision, fostering innovation and excellence in manufacturing tasks. Embracing diversity contributes to a loyal and dependable workforce. Explore how the Uniquely Abled Project is demystifying a large population of untapped talent as they shift the paradigm of thinking from “disabled” to “uniquely abled” and how integrating this exceptional talent can enhance and diversify your team.
Speakers
Dr. Berard is an Industrial Organizational Psychologist, a Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and a Vocational Expert who has worked at the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission for the last 11 years. In his role he works with the statewide team assisting job candidates in meeting the open job requisitions that match their skills sets and abilities. He has over 20 years of experience in employer engagement, workforce development, talent acquisitions, education, and project management to help the workforce meet their goals and expectations.
Meghan Abella-Bowen is a Senior Program Manager at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, where she focuses on advanced manufacturing workforce initiatives. In her role, she supports key stakeholder relations with industry, academia, and government, in the advanced manufacturing sector. Meghan has over 20 years of experience working in education, workforce training, and economic development as a facilitator and project manager to develop partnerships and programs designed to address the educational and training needs of all learners to support economic growth at local, state and regional levels.
Michael Tamasi A second-generation owner, focused on enterprise excellence driven by continuous improvement principles, and initiating the focus on world class manufacturing since 1995. He is very active in industry and educational organizations including government appointments to the Massachusetts Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative, currently serving as Co-Chair, and previously sitting on the MA STEM Advisory Council. Michael is active in the National Tooling and Machining Association having served as Team Leader for both the Audit Team and Budget & Finance Team and served on the Boston Chapter’s board for fifteen years.
Redefining Organizational Culture for the Modern Manufacturing Workplace
As the manufacturing landscape evolves with technological advancements and artificial intelligence, it becomes imperative for organizations to cultivate intentional cultures that foster innovation, support AI integration, enhance employee retention, and instill a sense of accountability. This session will provide valuable insights and practical strategies for leaders and professionals seeking to align their organizational culture with the demands of the contemporary manufacturing environment.
Speakers
Adriana Vaccaro, MBA, SHRM-SCP
CEO, Culture Redesigned
Adriana Vaccaro has 14 years of experience in the field of Organizational Culture and 7 Years focusing on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy and Implementation.
Adriana is certified by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) as Senior Certified Professional (SPC) and holds an MBA.
Her company, Culture Redesigned, is a data driven consulting firm focusing on supporting our client’s organizational culture and DEI journey while effectively blending Six Sigma and Behavioral Science into a practical educational approach.
Daisy Vasquez, SHRM-CP
Director of Human Resources at American Surgical Company
A passionate Human Resources leader with a rich background that spans various industries, including her recent foray into manufacturing over the past year.
Growing up in the multicultural hub of Bronx, NY, Daisy developed a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives, which she has seamlessly integrated into her professional life. This unique background fuels her commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive workplace environments where all employees feel valued and empowered.
In her current role, Daisy leverages her extensive HR expertise to enhance operational efficiency and employee engagement through strategic workforce development. Her impact has been marked by significant improvements in both organizational practices and workforce morale. Daisy is driven by a profound passion for people and their growth, believing strongly in the power of education and empowerment to transform businesses and enrich lives.
Untapped Potential: Empowering Diversity by Building Inclusive Pipelines
Q: How do you empower diversity?
A: Emphasize the importance of inclusivity in workforce development that equals in inclusive pipeline.
This breakout session will focus on the non-traditional workforce and minority/women owned businesses that are untapped areas of the manufacturing pipeline. Our subject matter experts will discuss how small, medium, minority, and women owned manufacturers can empower diversity through enhancing workplace preparedness for the non-traditional workforce to support workforce development. They will talk to the barriers of accessing employment in both of these areas and will share successful strategies, resources, and best practices for building a pipeline that actively recruits and supports both the non-traditional workforce and minority/women owned manufacturers.
Speakers
Rafael Encarnacion
Production Manager at Atech Turbine Components, He is a manufacturer professional specialized in analyzing current manufacturing process and recommending improvements for an efficient growth, improvements in yield and product quality.
Nora McCarthy
Passionate about renewable energy and the growing offshore wind industry. I currently work at Vineyard Offshore as the Workforce and Outreach Coordinator, dually working on the Vineyard Wind 1 Project – the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm. I got my start as the Development and Compliance intern on the Vineyard Wind 1 Project shortly after graduating college, and subsequently supported the bid development team as the RFP intern before being hired full-time. Most recently I have been supporting the development of workforce programs focused on increasing access to training and jobs for local communities, and diversifying the offshore wind industry. I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and a concentration in Renewable Energy and Environmental Policy. In my free time, I enjoy reading, painting, and spending time hanging out and playing games with family and friends.
Elaine Chow
Founder of ChopValue Boston, a small manufacturer that transforms chopstick waste into sustainable furnishings and features. Elaine’s vision is to prove, through ChopValue, that the circular economy is not only viable, but that sustainable materials can be beautifully designed and durably engineered. In 2023, ChopValue Boston diverted more than 20 tons of waste from local landfills, and their clients include J.P. Morgan, Takeda, Bevi, and Babson College, among others. Elaine resides in Dorchester with her family and has earned an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and BA from Bates College. She is a mid-career changer, coming into manufacturing from many years in nonprofit management.