On this week's episode of the Made in America podcast, we are highlighting Alan Ortner, CEO of Sirois Tool and Chairman of NTMA!   Alan talks to Ari about the basics of growing a tool making business, the importance of maintaining relationships and giving back, and how involvement in the apprenticeship program helps tackle workforce challenges. 

Alan also explains how they take care of their team from the benefits package and 401k offerings to a welcoming gesture prior to Day 1. He believes the best ideas come from the shop floor and that learning from those around you can help drive success!     Alan Ortner, CEO, Sirois Tool Sirois Tool's Website: https://www.siroistool.com/ Sirois Tool's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siroistool.co Sirois Tool's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sirois-tool/ Alan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaneortner/   Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari Company YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/   Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

Carrie also discusses how she thinks about their go to market strategy and how social media has had a big impact on their success. Experimentation, partnership, communication, and branding, are just a few things that have boosted up this cupcake shop!     Carrie Carella, Owner, NoRA Cupcake Company  NoRA's Website: https://www.noracupcake.com/ NoRA's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noracupcakeco NoRA's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noracupcakeco/?hl=en Carrie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-carella-05139114/   Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari Company YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/   Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

On this week's Made in America podcast, we are welcoming Michele Etzel, Executive VP & CFO of National Graphics!   Michele and Ari discuss the future of printing and how investments in people, technology, and equipment, helps drive the family business forward. She mentions her passion for what she does and how mail continues to be a door opener for many.  Michele also details how they maintain relationships with customers and other firms, engage in the community around them, and balance family dynamics. She is a big proponent of reverse mentoring and believes in the value of learning from others!

Favorite business book: How Women Decide, Terese Huston

Michele Etzel, Executive VP and CFO, National Graphics National Graphic's Website: https://natgraphics.com/ Michele's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelemetzel/   Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari Company YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/   Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

This week we are on the road for a special episode at Goodwin University's Advanced Composites Center, featuring Jacquelynn Garofano, Chief Technology Officer at CCAT!   Jackie and Ari tackle some of the hottest topics in the manufacturing industry including great career opportunities, workforce development, automation, and much more. She re-introduces CCAT and the impact this organization has across the state. 

Jackie discusses her journey being a first generation engineer and how she's taken the next step as CTO. She acknowledges the high tech environment at Goodwin and how they are continuously inspiring and educating younger generations of manufacturing talent.   Jacquelynn Garofano, Chief Technology Officer, CCAT CCAT's Website: https://www.ccat.us/ CCAT's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CTCenterforAdvancedTech CCAT's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ccat/ Jackie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkmgarofano/   Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari Company YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/   Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

Spring season is in full swing and we are releasing a special edition Made in America episode highlighting some of our previous podcast guests!  

With a theme focused on 'springing forward and investing in the future,' our guests discuss what they are doing to get ahead and how making investments in technology, equipment, people, and processes, helps drive their businesses. 

From developing core technology and diversifying the business to focusing on innovation and staying ahead of the curve, manufacturers across the state are making an impact on the community around us. 

So sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode! 

Featured Guests:  • Alex Smith - Swift Textile Metalizing  • Richard Lott - North Sails Group   • Don Droppo - Curtis Packaging   • Sabrina Beck - Altek Electronics  • Doug Rose - Aero Gear  • Norman Needleman - Tower Labs  • Greg Bloom - Capewell  • Meredith Shay - InCord  • Kenneth Madsen - Dimension-Polyant  • Paul Thornberg - Petron Automation  • Keith Corneau - United Steel  • Kathy Saint - Schwerdtle  • Bill Hazard - Novo Precision  • Joel Camassar - Chapman Manufacturing  • Victor DaCruz - DaCruz Manufacturing   • Kelli Vallieres - State of CT   Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari Company YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/

Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

On this week's Made in America episode, we are featuring Mike Lisowski, Executive Vice President and COO of FuelCell Energy!    Mike talks with Ari about their advanced manufacturing capabilities, R&D efforts, and continuous improvement focus. He explores the history of FuellCell Energy, what a fuel cell truly is and its applications across the world.    Mike details how they've gotten creative with their recruitment efforts and how they are always evaluating the market they are in. He believes developing strong supply chain partners will help mitigate global risks and grow their business!   Mike Lisowski, Executive Vice President and COO, FuelCell Energy FuelCell Energy's Website: https://www.fuelcellenergy.com/ FuelCell energy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fuelcell-energy/ FuelCell Energy's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fuelcell-Energy/152361658139280 Mike's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-john-lisowski/   Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari Company YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/   Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

This week we welcome Jim Lombella, Regional President of Connecticut Community Colleges, into the Made in America spotlight!   Jim and Ari reunite and discuss incumbent worker training, educational opportunities at CT's Community Colleges, and embracing diversity in manufacturing careers.    Jim details his passion for education and helping students succeed and how he got to where he is today. He believes in the power of relationships and educating parents and students alike on the great things going on in manufacturing!   Jim Lombella, Regional President, Connecticut Community Colleges CSCU's Website: https://www.ct.edu/ Connecticut Community Colleges's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CTStateEdu Connecticut Community Colleges's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecticut-community-colleges/ Jim's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslombella/   Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari Company YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/   Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

This week we welcome President of Belimo Americas, Jim Furlong, onto the Made in America podcast!    Jim talks to Ari about his passion for manufacturing, the importance of differentiating your products, and what makes Belimo so unique in the marketplace.    Jim details his leadership strategy for running a large division and how they break down communication barriers. He believes that the company needs to be on the same page, implement best practices, and invest in the future!   Jim Furlong, President, Belimo Americas Belimo's Website: https://www.belimo.com/ Belimo's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belimo/ Belimo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/belimo/  Jim's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-furlong-31271212/   Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari Company YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/   Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

This week we are welcoming Robert Friedland, President and CEO of Columbia Manufacturing onto the Made in America podcast!    Robert joins Ari for a full episode focusing on his aerospace journey, rebranding efforts for Columbia Manufacturing, and leadership and communication strategies.   Robert discusses their strong partnerships with technical training schools in the state and how revamping their website helped steer their business in a positive direction. He believes in transparency and teamwork in order to solve problems and making things better for tomorrow!   Robert Friedland, President and CEO, Columbia Manufacturing Columbia Manufacturing's Website: https://columbiamanufacturing.net/ Columbia Manufacturing's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMI.Aviation Columbia Manufacturing's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/columbia-manufacturing-inc-/ Robert's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertfriedlandct/   Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari Company YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/   Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

Paul joins Ari for a 2nd time and discusses strengthening the supply chain, the future of CT manufacturing, and 5 strategic initiatives he plans to implement.

Paul describes his background with Carey Manufacturing, how the stars aligned with his new role, and how he plans on engaging and supporting manufacturers of all shapes and sizes. 

We wish Paul the best of luck and can't wait to see what he does for manufacturing at the state level!

Paul Lavoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer, State of Connecticut  State of Connecticut's Website: https://portal.ct.gov/ State of Connecticut's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofconnecticut/ Paul's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulslavoie/

Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari Company YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/

Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/