Matt Hilgendorf, Vice President of Operations of Atkore Inc., joined Atkore International in Aug. 2017, where he is responsible for all business improvement activities including lean manufacturing and operational excellence. Prior to this role, Matt was director of the Atkore Business System, led manufacturing operations at Atkore’s Allied Tube & Conduit facility in the greater Chicago area.

Previously, Matt was the supplier development and quality manager at Black Horse LLC, a Caterpillar Inc. and Ariel Corp. joint venture, leading quality, sourcing and operational excellence efforts. Past roles in Caterpillar include leadership positions in operations, quality and supply chain. Matt holds bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and manufacturing engineering from Kettering University and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Matt is an SME endowment member, active SME Education Foundation donor and scholarship committee member, and has served three terms on the SME Board of Directors in 2012, 2015 and 2017.

Breonna Rogers is Pella Corporation’s Talent Development Specialist, specializing and leading training and development efforts for Technical Trades and Operations. Breonna has comprehensive experience in manufacturing, including functions such in Human Resources, Training and Development, Safety, and Operations.

In her role, Breonna conducts training and skills needs analyses, partners with internal and external subject matter experts to enhance Pella’s training and development programs, as well as leads and manages process improvements projects. Breonna also acts as a leader for Pella’s Technical Staffing and Development team and initiative, focusing on Pella’s Technical Talent Pipeline and their development.

Breonna serves on several industry and academia advisory boards at the secondary and post-secondary level, offering expertise on manufacturing and technical industry workforce skills and needs. Breonna earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Accounting and Economics from William Penn University and is pursuing her Master of Science (M.S.) in Talent Development from Drake University’s School of Education.

Kurtis Webb is the Operations Manager for Pella Corporation’s Manufacturing and Engineering Services (MES) in Pella, Iowa. The MES Plant is the technical resource hub for the organization and a strategic supplier for much of the organization’s custom automated equipment. Prior to Pella Corporation, Kurtis worked in the Agriculture Industry after graduating from Iowa State University with his degree in Ag Systems Technology. His knowledge of modern manufacturing processes and plant operations enables Kurtis to also guide the advancement of additive manufacturing for Pella’s plant operations and has had him interviewed and quoted in several trade publications.

With more than 22 years at Pella, Kurtis plays a lead role in Pella’s technical trades staffing and development efforts. He dedicates time to mentoring emerging talent in the technical trades field. He also does extensive work with the Pella Community School’s Career Academy of Pella and other area schools, encouraging students to explore the trades as a career path.

As a past speaker at tuXperience and panelist for events like Creators Wanted, Future Ready Iowa and Tooling U-SME Executive Roundtable, Kurtis is passionate about engaging in and advocating for advanced technologies careers and the skills development needed to grow the workforce.

Jennifer is a certified Human Resources Business Partner with Pyrotek, Inc. in Aurora, OH.  She has a unique blend of experiences that allow her to offer support to improve teams and organizations with operational, human resources, and compliance management functions.  Jennifer has a record of delivering continuous improvement by focusing on people and providing them with the tools and resources that contribute to their own success as well as the company’s.

For over a decade, Jeremy has served in many roles at Miba Bearings: Quality Inspector, Supervisor, Lean Manager, Supply Chain Manager (Miba ABM), and Central Services Manager. In mid-2020, he was asked to build a training center and develop a training program for Miba Bearings' Machining, Surface Coating, and Quality departments. With help from many great organizations like Tooling U-SME, NIMS, and Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers' Coalition, Miba Bearings training program is beginning to take shape. They have developed an Onboarding and Fundamentals program, Gauge Lab and Inspection program, CNC Mill operator program with an Industry Recognized Credential, and will soon begin a CNC Lathe Operator program with an Industry Recognized Credential.  Beyond Miba, Jeremy is a Father of 3, Husband of 1, US Navy Veteran, Musician, and Amateur Disc Golfer.

Spencer Noel has been with AGC Automotive North America for nine years. He has had a number of roles including Production, Production Staff, and now Training and Development Staff.

John Hindman is Tooling U-SME's Director of Learning Services. John acts as a champion for applying best practices to developing performance-based workforce development strategies in today's manufacturing environments. He partners with manufacturing learning champions to develop tactics and business plans for the deployment of effective and efficient career pathway programs from onboarding to high performance progression levels. Learning and development strategies are grounded through the development of competency-based frameworks which produce measurable results that meet human capital challenges in employee engagement, growth and retention. John has led many webinars and facilitated a number of workshops on best practices in workforce development, including Training 2013, FABTEC 2013-2014, The Big M 2013, tuX 2012-2014, Oil and Gas Summit 2014. Furthermore, John has been bylined in whitepapers discussing minimizing the manufacturing skills gap through instructionally sound learning and development programs. John continues to research and put into practice new techniques on adult learning and the development of a millennial workforce.

Chad Schron is the senior director for Tooling U-SME and the Co-founder of Tooling U. Chad grew up in manufacturing. He started his career working in his grandfather’s machine shop, Jergens Inc ., and attended his first IMTS show before he graduated from high school. Chad developed the idea for an online manufacturing training school while working at Jergens to combat the manufacturing skills shortage. Today, Chad leads the talented Sales, Learning Services, Client Services, Technology, Content, and Operations teams for Tooling U – SME. Chad graduated in 1999 from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering.  He was named one of Cleveland’s “Top 40 under 40” by Crain’s Cleveland Business in 2008, and in 2003 & 2004 was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.

Lawrence Hancock is the Training & Organization Development Manager for the Midway Products Group, Inc. in Monroe, Michigan. Supporting Midway Products Groups (8) manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Indiana, Lawrence brings more than 29 years of automotive and manufacturing experience to aid the development of talented people. Synthesizing those activities with the organizations pivot into Battery Enabled while keeping Inline Combustion Engine Vehicle components is the primary focus. These efforts are supported by prior experiences as an Advanced Quality Engineer, Systems Manager, Quality Manager, and Program Manager.

Lawrence has earned undergraduate and graduate credentials from DePaul and Berklee. He most recently earned the Organizational Leadership Certificate in December 2021 from the Harvard Business School Online. As an ASQ Certified Six Sigma Blackbelt, Lawrence adds a heavy data-driven approach to Talent & Organization Development.

Lawrence is the husband of LaKesha Hancock as they share children from 28 to 6. Additionally, Lawrence is a servant-leader in Michigan and Ohio, recording artist/producer of eight released albums, and author of one published book.

Steve Heethuis joined NN Mobile Solutions in June of 2014 as Training Director. A graduate of Grand Valley State University, he previously was involved in employee development and operations roles for UPS, Stone Plastics and Manufacturing, Inc. and Notions Marketing. His focus to help others reach their potential has been a source of joy and motivation in his career.

Greg Surtman, a senior workforce education strategist at Tooling U-SME, is responsible for supporting the organization’s workforce partner network in providing talent and learning solutions to manufacturers across the country. These workforce partners may include Manufacturing Extension Partnership members, community colleges, manufacturing associations, and community based organizations. Between New Horizons Computer Learning Center, Cuyahoga Community College, Contract Training Edge and Tooling U-SME, Greg has been providing learning solutions across many industry sectors for more than 25 years.

Michel is the Executive Director of BotsIQ, a youth workforce development program of the Pittsburgh Chapter National Tooling & Machining Foundation. For the past 17 years, BotsIQ has remained focused on the importance of engaging the next generation of manufacturing and STEM leaders while successfully preparing them with the technical skills needed to fill gaps in the current labor market. Michel leads the development and expansion of the program and collaborates with BotsIQ’s partner organizations, including over 60 regional school districts and 200 manufacturing and robotics companies.

Since becoming the Executive Director in 2017, Michel has successfully expanded BotsIQ’s programming to include BotsIQ Academy, which provides an extra opportunity for students to increase their technical knowledge through industry-based, online curriculum like Tooling U-SME; the Close the Loop program, which provides career planning for low-income students and those with significant barriers to employment; created curriculum for a registered Robotics Technician Pre-Apprenticeship with Pennsylvania; developed the Cobot Challenge, which introduces middle school students to advanced manufacturing and robotics with collaborative robots; and launched a successful post-secondary internship program.

A life-long learner herself, Michel developed her teaching skills as a young girl that always wanted to help others learn new things. With 18 years of professional experience in education, Michel enjoys raising awareness and interest in manufacturing career pathways through BotsIQ’s project-based learning programs.

Michel lives with her husband, Mark, and two sons, Drew and Emerson in the Pittsburgh area. In her free time, Michel enjoys cooking, gardening, home projects, and spending time with her family and friends.

Neil Ashbaugh is the president and CEO of New Century Careers (NCC). Neil has twenty-three years’ experience in manufacturing – from the shop floor to HR and technical training management. Neil learned the manufacturing trade through two four-year state and federally-recognized apprenticeships with Oberg Industries and became a journeyman grinder. He advanced to corporate positions there in sales and marketing and management roles of increasing responsibility in training and talent development, government projects and new product development. At New Century Careers, he manages operations and a broad spectrum of programs including pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, production, sales, marketing, business development, corporate training and talent development, and workforce development.

Scott is responsible for the program development and delivery of Catalyst Connection’s STEM initiatives. These include an in-school project based program called Adventures in Technology and two manufacturing college internship programs. Scott is also responsible for all STEM outreach activities supporting programs such as BotsIQ, the Fluid Power Challenge, and other regional STEM initiatives in partnership with non-profits, school districts, colleges, and economic development organizations. He is a frequent speaker for school districts, industry consortiums, and conferences on the topics of STEM education, manufacturing, and workforce programs. To date, Scott has worked with more than 60 local school districts, 200 local companies, and over 2,500 regional students.

Scott has been involved in human resource and workforce education, with expertise in the manufacturing, retail, financial, and consulting industries, since 1999. As a recruiter for Mellon Financial Corporation, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and a small consulting firm, Scott has recruited technology and management talent, delivered training, developed internship programs, and conducted outreach with local nonprofit organizations and youth programs.

He holds B.S.B.A. degree in Human Resource Management from Robert Morris University

Steve has been a practicing industrial designer and innovator for over 30 years and has worked in a variety of industries including industrial/commercial products, materials, aerospace, defense, children's toys, medical/surgical equipment, consumer electronics and fast-moving consumer products. He is the Founder and Managing Director for GrayMatterzTM, a business, design and innovation consulting firm that provides business model innovation and strategy consulting to startups and established organizations. He has led productivity improvement projects that have yielded cost savings in excess on $10 million. Steve is currently an adjunct professor for Carnegie Mellon University's Integrated Innovation Institute Mater of Integrated Innovation in Products and Services program. Steve holds a bachelor's degree in industrial design from Syracuse University and a Master of Science degree in new product development from Northwestern University.

Foundry Fun Fact: Steve plays golf and once shot a double eagle.

Conrad Leiva is Director Ecosystem and Workforce Education at CESMII and Chairman of the Smart Manufacturing Working Group at MESA International. As a recognized industry authority, he engages manufacturing business leaders, solution providers, educators and practitioners across all dimensions of industry to develop and share knowledge on both How and Why to leverage information technology. His work has focused on Smart Manufacturing, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and the digital thread between engineering, business, manufacturing and sustainment systems working with manufacturers and PLM, ERP, and plant automation partners.

Jeannine Kunz is the Chief Workforce Development Officer of Tooling U-SME. Here, she leads a team dedicated to the ongoing education of the manufacturing workforce. As a recognized authority on workforce development and training for the manufacturing community, Jeannine is focused on building the capabilities of today’s and tomorrow’s manufacturing workforce. Her vision and passion have put her at the forefront of workforce management issues — providing innovative solutions for companies, academia, and individuals. She is frequently asked to provide insights at conferences, events, and caucuses across the country. Jeannine serves on several industry advisory boards and offers her expertise on the manufacturing sector as a regular contributor, appearing over the years in IndustryWeek, Training Magazine, Chicago Tribune, NPR Marketplace, The Fabricator and many other media outlets. She is on the executive committee of America Makes, a board member for the National Coalition of Career Development and sits on the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing’s Education & Workforce Advisory Committee. She is also a founding member of the Skilled Trades Coalition.

Ms. Petra Mitchell is the President and CEO of Catalyst Connection, a nonprofit economic development organization dedicated to helping manufacturers with business growth and job creation. Catalyst Connection is the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and the Industrial Resource Center (IRC) of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Ms. Mitchell’s experience in manufacturing operations, technology acceleration and business development stretches back to 1988. Before joining Catalyst Connection, she was employed by GE Aircraft Engines, now GE Aviation, where she completed the Manufacturing Development Program and held positions in the Manufacturing Technology Laboratory. She holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Dayton, and an M.S. from the University of Cincinnati.