Host Ari Santiago welcomes back Connecticut’s Chief Manufacturing Officer*, Paul Lavoie, for his fourth appearance and a deep dive into the newly updated statewide manufacturing strategic plan. The conversation unpacks the Office of Manufacturing’s clear focus on four pillars—developing talent, building sustainable companies, driving innovation, and improving collaboration—all in service of two bold goals: doubling manufacturing’s share of state GDP to 20% by 2030, and achieving full employment within the sector.

Lavoie candidly addresses the visibility gap still present across Connecticut’s 4,800 manufacturers and explains the state's evolving role—not to dictate solutions, but to enable, coordinate, and amplify existing efforts across the ecosystem. He outlines practical initiatives, such as the CONNEX Marketplace, workforce pipeline development from “K to Gray,” and sector-specific collaboration efforts that include strategic partnerships with NASA, Airbus, and major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Key Points:

• Four Strategic Focus Areas: Talent development, sustainable business growth, innovation, and sector-wide collaboration.
• Two Ambitious Goals: Reach 20% of Connecticut’s GDP from manufacturing and achieve full employment in the sector by 2030.
• Innovation Engine: Focus on digital transformation, additive manufacturing, automation, and AI—especially through CT’s CCAT and a potential AI manufacturing institute.
• Workforce Pipeline: Campaigns like “I Got It Made” and efforts to meet the next generation where they are, paired with a push for more “workforce housing.”
• Public-Private Partnership Model: Lavoie emphasizes building long-term capacity in the nonprofit sector over expanding government bureaucracy.

This episode is both a candid assessment of current challenges and an energizing vision for how Connecticut can lead the country in advanced manufacturing. 

* At the time of this podcast recording and podcast publication, Paul Lavoie continues to be CT's Chief Manufacturing Officer. Paul has accepted a position at the University of New Haven starting in July 2025. For any questions on the plan after Paul leaves this position, please direct requests to the CT Office of Manufacturing. 

CT Office of Manufacturing: https://manufacturing.ct.gov/?language=en_US

CT Office of Manufacturing: https://manufacturing.ct.gov/?language=en_US

CONNEX Marketplace: https://manufacturing.ct.gov/connex?language=en_US

Paul Lavoie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulslavoie/

CompassMSP/Made in America: https://madeinamerica.compassmsp.com/  https://blog.compassmsp.com/ 

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In this insightful episode of Made in America, Jill Mayer, CEO of Bead Industries, shares how she's steering a fifth-generation, 111-year-old company into the future. From embracing EOS to bring structure and accountability, to leveraging the Culture Index for smarter hiring, Mayer breaks down the systems and mindsets that are helping Bead evolve beyond legacy thinking.

• How EOS created a cadence for strategic planning and execution
• Why the Culture Index helped her build better teams with complementary strengths
• What it really takes to retain young talent in manufacturing today
• How transparency and autonomy drive engagement across generations
• The bold steps Bead is taking toward innovation—including expansion into India

Jill’s practical, candid approach offers valuable lessons for leaders balancing tradition with transformation. Whether you’re scaling a startup or modernizing a century-old business, this conversation is packed with takeaways.

Bead Industries: https://beadelectronics.com/

Jill Mayer - LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbmayer/

CompassMSP/Made in America: https://madeinamerica.compassmsp.com/

https://blog.compassmsp.com/

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Ari Santiago's LinkedIn CompassMSP Website CompassMSP LinkedIn

Made in America Podcast Facebook Made in America Podcast LinkedIn Made in America Podcast YouTube

Podcast produced by Miceli Productions.

In this Made in America podcast episode, Nelson Bruton, President of Manufacturing Chats, shares insights on how manufacturers can boost their sales and business growth through practical, effective communication tools like live chat.

The discussion covers the evolution of Manufacturing Chats from a full-service digital marketing agency to a specialized provider of live chat solutions tailored for industrial manufacturers. Nelson emphasizes the importance of real-time customer engagement, drawing parallels between live chat and trade show interactions. He also explores the potential of AI in chat services while highlighting the continued need for human interaction in complex sales environments. This episode is a valuable resource for manufacturers looking to enhance their sales strategies and improve customer engagement. 

Youtube: https://youtu.be/SIXhUjWBpA4

Podcast Website: https://madeinamerica.compassmsp.com/nelson-bruton-manufacturing-chats

Nelson Bruton's LinkedIn Manufacturing Chats Website  Manufacturing Chats LinkedIn

Ari Santiago's LinkedIn CompassMSP Website CompassMSP LinkedIn

Made in America Podcast Facebook Made in America Podcast LinkedIn Made in America Podcast YouTube

Podcast produced by Miceli Productions.

This episode is packed with tips on how manufacturers can improve their bottom lines. From analyzing inventory management, to tax incentives, M&A opportunities, R&D credits and grant opportunities, you don't want to miss this episode!

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In our newest Made in America episode, Ari sits down with Adam Rodrigues, Vice President of FORGE, to discuss hard tech innovation and startup success. With only 3% of hard tech startups making it to market, FORGE is helping founders overcome challenges through funding, education, and manufacturing connections.

In our newest Made in America episode, Ari sat down with Ed Rodríguez, President and CEO of Penmar Industries. Discover his thoughts on leadership, the power of patience, and how Penmar is making waves in American manufacturing with labels and tapping into technology.

In this episode of Made in America, we’re joined by Mike Calorossi, VP of Manufacturing Operations at MannKind Corporation, to discuss the transformative power of pharmaceutical manufacturing. From recognizing the value of diverse teams to always staying a step ahead in operations, Mike shares lessons that have shaped his leadership philosophy and career success. Tune in to hear why staying proactive and playing to your team’s strengths is a “superpower” in today’s fast-paced manufacturing world.

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What role do technology and automation play in shaping the future of manufacturing? Recorded live at ACM Aerospace Alley, the latest episode of the Made in America Podcast features insights from Brian Montanari (Hapco Industries), Jackie Garafano (CCAT), and Nick Delick (New England Airfoil Products). Together, they explore how technology roadmaps and partnerships like the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) are driving innovation in aerospace and beyond.

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Recorded live from ACM Aerospace Alley, we bring you an insightful panel discussion on Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Join Ari Santiago, CompassMSP CEO and Made in America Host, alongside industry leaders Michael Polo, President of ACMT Inc., and Carleton Birk, President of Birk Manufacturing, as they explore why CMMC is crucial for manufacturers and how to stay ahead in a competitive landscape.

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