March 7, 2016 - View this as a web page - View eblast from February 26, 2016

NIST MEP Event Reminders

• Registration ends March 9th. Join us on March 17th for the Marketing Working Group Meeting with more than 29 people registered and a packed agenda with a guest speaker, worthy sessions and best practices. This meeting, hosted by TMAC, will bring marketing and communication professionals from across the MEP System together in one place to network, share best practices, and discuss solutions for current and emerging challenges. Some of the topics we will be discussing are: Center Marketing Structure, National and Center Branding, Client Development, Content Marketing, and Best Practices in Digital Marketing. RSVP, view agenda and event link.
• Informational Webinar: Embed MEP Staff in NNMI Institutes FFO: On March 9th at 1:00 PM EST, NIST MEP will hold an informational webinar with representatives from the NIST Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office to discuss the upcoming Federal Funding Opportunity that will fund a series of Pilot Projects to embed MEP Center staff into NNMI Institutes (Click here for more information). The purpose of the FFO is to enhance the scale of Institute impacts and benefits for small U.S. manufacturers. Topics to be addressed include the purpose, potential collaborations, possible benefits to centers, and administrative considerations for interested centers. Webinar Details:| Webinar Link | Password: NNMIffo#16!! | Contact Mark Troppe.
• Location Update - MEP Update Meeting: The next MEP Update Meeting is scheduled for May 17-18, 2016 in Charleston, SC. The Advisory Board Meeting will follow on May 19, 2016.
• Upcoming Regional Forums for Round 4 State Competitions: Prior to the July announcement for the next state competition, we will be conducting three regional forums in Washington, DC, Denver, CO, and Chicago, IL to provide interested organizations more information about the MEP program, the state competition, and answer any questions regarding the funding announcement. For more information on the forums, including dates and specific locations, please visit the MEP Competition page. To register for one of the forums, please email mepffo@nist.gov.

NIST MEP Staffing Updates

• Starting today, Mike Simpson, Director of System Operations, will begin a full time detail assignment for six months in the Advanced Manufacturing Program Office as the NNMI Competition Planning and Management Project Manager. The System Operations staff will be supervised by MEP Deputy Dave Cranmer. Mary Ann Pacelli will be handling the Learning Organization responsibilities.

• On Sunday, March 6th, Dr. David Cranmer was formally approved by the Department of Commerce and the Office of Personnel Management to enter into the Senior Executive Service as the new Deputy Director of MEP.

Food Industry Collaboration Across the MEP System

Follow-up from March 2nd Conference Call

On March 2nd, over 20 MEP center staff from 14 centers participated in an MEP System food industry conference call with local MEP Centers highlighting their center capabilities, activities and opportunities related to the food industry. We know many staff were not able to join that first call and we want to include all interested staff in the communications and collaboration as we move forward with this community of practice. If you would like to be included on future email distributions, please contact Brian Lagas Brian.Lagas@nist.gov. Thank you.

MEP in the News

• Winners of Manufacturing Video Contest in North Hampton, NH. Read More.
• Mark Huffman, Machining Systems Engineer and Program Director at TechSolve, Inc., was interviewed for the February issue of Aerospace Manufacturing and Design. Learn More
• IMC was selected as a 2015 Top 100 Organization by the PA Business Central. Learn More
• CITEC Business Solutions Names Director. Learn More
• Western Massachusetts manufacturers call for more trained workers - MASSMEP. Learn More
• Catalyst Connection premiered the Explore the New Manufacturing Student Video Contest on February 18th. Ten manufacturing companies were paired with 10 regional middle schools who were encouraged to interview employees and go behind the scenes to learn about the manufacturing industry. Learn More
• More than 50 people representing over 25 companies attended MAGNET’s [M]EDNEXT Kickoff Event on Feb. 26th. Designed to assist established manufacturers who want to grow through selling into the biotech and medical sectors, this new initiative offers advice on successful expansion into new markets as well as what companies should know before approaching these industries. Learn More

Vacancies Around the MEP System

• OMEP is seeking a Regional Manufacturing Leader/Consultant position for the Eugene, Oregon territory Learn More
• CMTC is seeking the following positions: Client Advisors, Advanced Manufacturing Practice Lead and Smart Manufacturing Practice Lead. Learn More
• Purdue MEP is seeking for an Associate Director of Client Services and a Northern Indiana Lead Industry Advisor.
• Delaware MEP is seeking two Specialists: MEP Specialist II and MEP Specialist I. Closes April 1.