Chuck Speelman, superintendent of Tri-Rivers Career Center, visited the Manufacturing Tomorrow studio recently. He has been the superintendent at Tri-Rivers Career Center in Marion, Ohio since 2007. During that time he has worked locally and at the state level to develop and operationalize educational initiatives - including the Robotic & Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative (RAMTEC) training center.

RAMTEC is the first training facility of its kind in the State of Ohio. Bolstered by a $15M Straight A grant, high school students, adult students and incumbent workers have access to an industrial training center that provides industry certifications in robotic operation, robotic welding, CNC operation, and industrial maintenance. RAMTEC’s vision is to help modernize Ohio’s education system – and manufacturing. Most recently, the RAMTEC initiative was selected as the statewide winner of the 2014 Excellence inWorkforce Development Innovation Award by the Ohio Economic Development Association.

Chuck has worked in school administration. At Tri-Rivers he has made significant improvements to curriculums and now all career tech programs at the school provide students with transcripted and/or articulated college credits. Chuck has his Master’s degree in education administration and has additionally graduated from special training programs such as, the Seton Hall University Executive Educational Leadership Doctoral Cohort Program and the Ohio Superintendents’ Leadership Institute. Chuck has been awarded numerous local educational service awards, serves on multiple boards and/or advisory councils, and is an active member of Rotary Club.

Covering the latest topics, Manufacturing Tomorrow guests include company C-suite executives and engineers to industry-facing academics, supportive government and regional economic development agents of change. More information is at http://omi.osu.edu/podcast