Registration for the Phoenix, AZ Update Meeting is now open. NIST MEP will host the May 2015 meeting at the Embassy Suites Phoenix-Scottsdale, May 20-21, 2015. In addition, the MEP Advisory Board will be meeting on May 19th for those interested in attending as well.

The Update Meeting is for center management and staff to gain a better understanding of activities occurring across the system and to discuss the status of the MEP system, changes in manufacturing, and how best to position the network to provide these services going forward. These meetings provide participants an opportunity to collaborate, share best practices, and learn about the latest tools, topics, and goals of the MEP system.

The Phoenix, AZ meeting will begin at 8:30am on Wednesday, May 20th and conclude by 3:00pm on Thursday, May 21st. The meeting agenda will be published shortly, but possible topics include:

• NIST MEP Recent Activities / Updates
• Talent Recruitment and Retention at Centers
• Sales and Business Development
• MFG Day 2015
• National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI)

These Update meetings are open to all Center staff. The intent of them is to provide an opportunity for all levels of the organization to gain a better understanding of the activities occurring within the MEP system.

Registration will be $208 per attendee. Please visit the event website to register or for additional logistical information.

If you have any questions please contact Kari Reidy at Kari.reidy@nist.gov | (301) 975-4919.

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Two additional webinars have been added to the currently open Federal Funding Opportunity. The dates are provided below:

• March 30th @ 2 p.m. eastern (view recording and presentations)
• April 6th @ 2 p.m. eastern
• April 16th @ 1 p.m. eastern

The content of these webinars will be the same and will provide general information about the MEP program and offer general guidance on preparing proposals. If you would like to register for one of these webinars, please provide the list of participants, organization name and date your plan to participate via email to mepffo@nist.gov.

Background: NIST MEP issued a Federal Funding Opportunity for nonprofit organizations to operate state MEP centers in 12 states – Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. View Opportunity

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Kari Reidy selected as MEP Manager of Communications

Kari Reidy has been selected to be the permanent Manager of the Communications Management and Knowledge Dissemination Team. Kari has been heading this group in an acting capacity since August of 2014 and as a member of the senior management team. She has taken on responsibility for managing the communication team, overseeing all internal and external communications, the MEP Advisory Board and all MEP conferences and events. The Communications team has been short-staffed since two staff departures and Cindy and Zara have really stepped up during this critical time. Kari is in the process of filling both of those vacancies to add additional resources to support this important MEP responsibility . Kari brings to this leadership position the talents we all admire in her: energy, productivity, good spirits, and a demonstrated commitment to the MEP program.

Ron Gan retiring from the Federal Government

Effective June 13, 2015 Ron Gan, NIST MEP’s Chief Financial Officer will retire from the federal government. Ron has nearly four decades of public service, including 20 years with the U.S. Coast Guard. He joined MEP in June 2007 to oversee all aspects of MEP administration and finance and has been Chief of Staff since August 2014. Prior to joining MEP he spent two years in NIST’s Budget Division, with broad financial oversight responsibilities.

Ron has made an extraordinary contribution to MEP and has been particularly helpful in MEP’s administrative matters including the budget, human resources activities, and the panel review process.

Ron will be on leave beginning April 24, 2015 so NIST MEP is in the process of posting a vacancy for this critical position as quickly as possible.

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NIST MEP is currently hiring for two positions located in Gaithersburg, MD.

Digital Media Specialist: NIST MEP is seeking an Information Specialist for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Communication Team to contribute to the communication efforts focused on engaging existing online communities and building new ones. Applications due April 14th. View Vacancy

Regional Manager: NIST MEP is looking for an Industrial Specialist to serve as Regional Manager of Strategic Transition in the Systems Operations Office. The incumbent will serve as regional contact for 8-15 cooperative agreements for MEP centers on the east coast. Applications due April 6th. View Vacancy

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On November 2011, MEP launched the Make it in America Campaign. Every week, we selected a U.S. manufacturer to be the Featured Manufacturer of the Week and highlighted them on our website and social media sites. Over the course of three years, the campaign highlighted more than 200 manufacturers, and many centers have started their own “Made in Your State” campaigns.

MEP has reached the end of the Featured Manufacturer of the Week contract with Grass Roots Marketing and starting next week we will no longer be working with them to highlight a manufacturer. We, however, still plan to keep the campaign alive. Our plans moving forward are to feature a Manufacturer of the Week from Center’s “Made in Your State” campaigns. If you are a Center and would like to highlight a manufacturer from your campaign, please send Cindy Orellana a copy of the graphic you use to highlight the manufacturer, along with your Center’s campaign logo and website url.

Manufacturers will be reviewed and selected every Tuesday, and posted on our website and social media channels every Wednesday.

We are sincerely thankful to all who continue to take part in making this campaign possible and successful!

If you have any questions, contact Cindy Orellana at cindy.orellana@nist.gov or 301-975-5614.

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We have updated the Center One Pagers to reflect the FY2014 impact data. Center one pagers are intended to educate stakeholders and the public about MEP Centers near them. Each one pager has a summary about the center, the most recent impact data, a success story, and the center contact information. Please take a look at your Center’s one pager to make sure all the information is correct. If you have any questions or requests, contact Cindy Orellana at cindy.orellana@nist.gov.

Below are instructions to find your Center’s one pager.

1. visit the “Find your Local MEP” map;
2. Click on your state;
3. Click on the red star from the state you selected;
4. A pop up will open with the Center’s information, and then click on “Click here to learn more about Center”. This will download or open the one pager.

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On March 27, 2015, the President announced the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) initiative. The goal of the POWER initiative is to effectively align, leverage and target a range of federal economic and workforce development programs and resources to assist communities negatively impacted by changes in the coal industry and power sector.

The POWER initiative will award grants competitively on two parallel tracks to partnerships anchored in affected communities. This year roughly $28 to $38 million will be awarded, primarily using EDA and Department of Labor resources, and also using funds from the Small Business Administration and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

The MEP Center network will provide technical assistance services to manufacturers in the coal power plant and coal mining supply chains that are located in POWER partnership communities. These services will address the needs of the impacted manufacturers and include strategies related to diversification, risk mitigation, market research, and entry into new and export markets.

For more information, click here. For questions, contact Heidi Sheppard at heidi.sheppard@nist.gov or 301.975.6975.

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We apologize for the cancellation of the New Employee Orientation previously scheduled for April 1. Webex was unavailable that day. Part II has been rescheduled for April 13, 2015 at 2:00 pm EDT. As a contingency, should webex become unavailable, we will connect via audio only using the audio call in information below and upload the PowerPoint presentation via MEIS.

Part II of the webinar series will provide a more in-depth look on the mission and strategy of the MEP program. Part II of the webinar series will provide a more in-depth look on the mission and strategy of the MEP program. Part II MEP Overview Topics will include: MEP Evolution, Strategy, Challenges, Advisory Board, Services & Initiatives, Leadership Programs, Competitions and NNMI.

Webinar Details: Once Webex is back up we will provide you with the Webinar Details.

For questions or assistance, please contact Phill Wadsworth at phillip.wadsworth@nist.gov or Wiza Lequin at wiza.lequin@nist.gov.

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MEP Centers are beginning to reach out to manufacturing entrepreneurs and the resource organizations that support them. There are many opportunities to help manufacturers get on the right track with manufacturability, sourcing, and operational supports from MEP. During this webinar, we will hear from two Centers, Manex and AMS, about how they have partnered with local organizations using two unique models:

• SFMade provides MANEX in-reach to urban SF-based, very-small manufacturing entrepreneurs and provides technical assistance in the areas of business strategy, funding, real estate, and then makes referrals to MANEX when scale-up needs arise.
• Innovation Hub provides AMS a workshop setting for regional makers and offers workforce development training, prototyping support services, and then (will) make referrals to AMS when scale-up needs arise.

The Center will discuss how they developed and envisioned the partnership; and discuss their models including direct supports and project referrals, services for scaling makers, cost sharing, workforce development, and other interesting topics.

Webinar Details: Link | Password: Maker41515@Maker | Call in Number: 1-866-218-2764 | Conference Code: 540 370 2466

For more details contact: Clara Asmail (clara.asmail@nist.gov).

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Learn how to approach ISO 9001:2008 registration from the professional lead auditor’s point of view and focus on key audit skills that enhance auditing capability. This intensive workshop covers key aspects of leading an audit team for your firm, another firm, or vendors/supplier. To register, click here.

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One of the most powerful ways to learn about the Improvement Kata / Coaching Kata (IK/CK) methodology is through a 3- day experience working with real processes in an actual work environment. The Skill Camp provides students the opportunity to practice all 5 of the core routines of IK/CK while working with actual processes in a live workplace. For more information, click here.

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The Arkansas Manufacturing Innovation Summit is a two-day event hosted by Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions, which is a program of Arkansas Science & Technology Authority (ASTA). The summit is designed to bring the state’s manufacturers and economic players together to discuss, share, and learn about cutting edge manufacturing innovations and technologies that can help grow revenue and jobs, increase productivity, improve quality, and add to the bottom line. For event details click here.

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The Family Business Advisor Core Training Program will be delivered by Lisë Stewart of the Galliard Family Business Advisor Institute. This Certification program prepares advisors to work with owners on strategies for the future of their business! Participants receive program materials and access to online assessment and delivery tools. Cost for the two-day training is $1695. Certification is available at no extra cost.

Questions or for further information contact lstewart@galliardgroup.com or go to Galliard Core Training to learn more and register.

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This conference brings two important topics - HR & TWI - in one event and location. TWI and HR is the foundation to developing a lean culture, and to problem-solving, continuous improvement and standard work. For more information click here.

Location: Jacksonville, FL at the Sawgrass Golf & Resort Spa

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NIST MEP along with Utah MEP, and the Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration will be hosting an upcoming Buy America Transit Supply Chain Forum in Salt Lake City, on June 24, 2015.

This Forum will bring large transit OEMs and smaller, qualified and interested U.S. manufacturers together in an effort to facilitate reaching a higher percentage of domestic suppliers in transit products and systems. The Forum will offer a venue for smaller manufacturers to learn what products are needed and find out more about investments they need to consider when entering the transit industry.

The event will be held in conjunction with the American Transportation Association’s (APTA) Rail Conference at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, UT. More information including registration will be provided shortly

For more information about Buy America Transit Supply Chain, please visit the Next Generation Transportation Supply Chain page or contact Samm Bowman (samm@nist.gov | 301-975-5978).

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