November 25, 2015 - View this as a web page - View eblast from November 20, 2015

This Thanksgiving, we want to thank you for all the great work that you do every day. The MEP program and our efforts are essential to Manufacturing, and our economy. Each of us is part of an incredible team and makes a unique contribution to our mission. Thank you for all you do to ensure our success. We wish you and your families a very happy Thanksgiving. (Eblast will resume next Friday)

We've Hired a New Executive Officer

NIST MEP is pleased to announce that Mr. J. Chancy Lyford has been chosen and accepted the position to serve as the new MEP Executive Officer. Chancy is coming over to us from the U.S. Small Business Administration where he’s been for the past 17 years. He is currently the Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Small Business Development Centers. Chancy was chosen for the Executive Officer position because of his expert knowledge of and experience with managing the SBDCs $115 million budget; his management of the entire HR activities for the program; and most especially for his leadership of the SBDC accreditation process (equivalent to annual/panel reviews) as well as his direction and review of the financial examination of all 63 SBDCs across the country. Chancy was also chosen because he managed all communications for the Office of Small Business Development Centers and was in charge of all contracts. This position was previously held by Ron Gan, who retired in June 2015.

Please help us welcome Chancy Lyford to our team.

MEP Progress Reporting Structure Updates

The NIST MEP Progress Reporting structure and submission timeline for base awards will be changing with reports due in January 2016. Changes include a new format that aligns with the NIST MEP strategy, reporting semi-annually for Progress and Financial Reporting (versus quarterly) and additional financial reporting details.

Two webcasts are being conducted and recorded to explain the changes. The first is scheduled for Dec 15th and will cover the Progress Narrative. The second is scheduled for Jan 6th and will cover Financial Reporting and ASAP. These webcasts are intended to provide training and education on how to complete the new reporting in January. Please join us for these web casts. Each will be recorded for later listening.

The information for the December 15th webcast is available below. We will send more information for the January 6th webcast when the date gets closer.

December 15th at 3:00 PM EST
No registration required. To join WebEx meeting click here | Meeting Number: 734 075 094 | Meeting password: Fghuy%%Jim##1 | Call in Number: 1-866-218-2764 | Conference Code: 936 109 8215.

For more information please contact twilkins@nist.gov.

MFG Day 2015 Feedback and 2016 Input

Please take a few moments to answer these three questions to help us identify priorities and opportunities for improvement around MFG Day. In the coming weeks, we will circulate a draft MFG Day 2015 State Report for your input and additional content.

For questions contact Zara Brunner or Mark Schmit

Update on Financial Analysis Management Assessment Pilot

As of November 24th we have all 10 slots filled with centers for participation in the Financial Analysis Management pilot! We are so excited to bring this opportunity to Centers in the following states: Alabama, California (Southern), Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Dakota. They will be participating over the next few months to help identify distinctive practices and areas for strengthening the network so please stay tuned for the outcomes and additional opportunities to participate. We’re so sorry that we don’t have additional slots available for centers who were not able to make it this time. We will let everyone know when more slots open in the future. If you have any questions please contact Mellissa Ayala.

Send us your News Clips!

Email your news articles to mepeblast@nist.gov