On this edition of Manufacturing an American Century, I sat down with Daniel Wierman, founder of CNC Career Network, to discuss His work builds bridges between workforce developers, manufacturers, and local nonprofits to strengthen the talent pipeline in advanced manufacturing. Daniel brings a powerful mix of industry insight, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit to the conversation, matched only by his humility and eagerness to learn, test, iterate and apply his knowledge to help young people and adults get the training support they need for lifelong, meaningful careers in manufacturing.

Daniel shares how his early experiences trying to recruit CNC operators exposed deeper issues of retention, training, and a lack of clear advancement paths. From launching registered apprenticeships with Goodwill Southern California to developing tools and training guides through CNC Career Network, Daniel has stayed focused on helping workers see a future for themselves in manufacturing. His insights on softening the transitions between nonprofits, educators, and employers are a must-hear for anyone working to rebuild America's manufacturing base at speed and scale. 

Thanks to Daniel for joining us and for the work he’s doing to grow and sustain a stronger, more connected manufacturing workforce ecosystem!

🔗Links to Learn More:

• Find Daniel on LinkedIn.
• Learn more about the CNC Career Network.
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.
• Visit our website.

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was a real pleasure to welcome Kathleen Kosmoski, Director of Workforce Development at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), to Manufacturing an American Century. Kathleen leads national efforts to strengthen the engineering talent pipeline and is helping connect community colleges, manufacturers, and engineering societies in new ways to close the skills gap.

Kathleen shares how ASME is engaging the next generation of engineers through its Community College Engineering Pathways and Mechanical Engineering Technology Apprenticeship programs, both designed to make engineering education more accessible and aligned with industry needs. She discusses how these initiatives are helping students enter the engineering profession as technicians and advance through hands-on learning and employer partnerships.

We also talk about the unique role of professional societies in rebuilding America’s manufacturing base, ASME’s collaborations with other engineering associations, and Kathleen’s vision for a more connected and inclusive technical workforce. Her experience leading workforce initiatives and her passion for solving complex challenges shine through as she describes how trust, local partnerships, and persistence are key to lasting impact. Thanks to Kathleen for joining us and for the incredible work she’s doing to build the next generation of American engineers!

🔗Links to Learn More:

• Find Kathleen on LinkedIn.
• Learn more about ASME programs:
• Community College Engineering Pathways
• Mechanical Engineering Technology Apprenticeship
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.
• Visit our website.

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome James Duncan, President of Connex Marketplace, and Alan Davis, President and CEO of i5 Services, to Manufacturing an American Century. Jim and Alan are two private-sector leaders who’ve rolled up their sleeves to tackle two of the biggest challenges facing small and midsize manufacturers today: access to capital and supply chain visibility. They describe how Connex is helping manufacturers find the capital they need, and share how their tools make it easier for business owners to understand their options. Alan gives us the big picture on how Connex Marketplace is reconnecting the U.S. industrial base, helping manufacturers find each other by capability – not just geography or keywords – in a way that connects them while safeguarding their competitive edge.

We also discuss the trust they've established with manufacturers over more than a decade and why that trust is more important now than ever, given rising concerns about capital access, trade, and supply chain restructuring. Thanks to Alan and Jim for coming on the podcast!

🔗Links to Learn More:

• Find Alan Davis on Linkedin.
• Find James Duncan on Linkedin
• Learn more about the Connex Marketplace.
• Read about Connex’s work on small business lending support with the SBA.
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.
• Visit our website.

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Manufacturing in the American Century, we’re joined by Ivan Rosenberg. Ivan’s had a long career as an engineer and as a management consultant for aerospace and defense manufacturers. In this new chapter of his leadership and discussed in this episode, Ivan is the founder of the Uniquely Abled Project, an initiative that connects and trains people with autism and other “unique abilities” for skilled jobs in advanced manufacturing.

Ivan’s entry into this work is personal. As a father of two children on the autism spectrum, he saw firsthand the barriers they would face trying to enter the workforce. At the same time, he was working with manufacturers struggling to fill open jobs. That tension between labor demands and overlooked talent led him to a simple question: why aren’t we connecting these dots more effectively?

The Uniquely Abled Project is built on the idea that cognitive disabilities don’t mean unemployability. In fact, many people with autism have strengths, such as attention to detail, comfort with repetition, and process thinking, that are a great match for family-sustaining roles in advanced manufacturing like CNC machining. Ivan walks us through how the program works, the importance of changing both language and assumptions, and what it takes to build effective cross-sector partnerships around this work.

We also talk about mindset; how employers, parents, and institutions often limit what’s possible by framing disability in terms of deficits rather than abilities. Ivan offers a practical, clear-eyed approach to making this shift, and in doing so unlocking the opportunity for so many more individuals to have meaningful roles in meaningful work. Way to go, Ivan!  

UAP is looking to expand. If you are engaged in your region’s workforce ecosystem be sure to reach out to us or Ivan directly to see how to start an Uniquely Abled Academy in your area!

Links to Learn More:

• Find Ivan on Linkedin.
• Learn more about the Uniquely Abled Project
• Find UAP on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.
• Visit our website.

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was a real privilege to welcome my longtime collaborator and friend, Dr. Susan Helper, to the Manufacturing in the American Century podcast. Sue is not only a Harvard-trained PhD economist and professor at Case Western Reserve University, but also a seasoned federal leader who's served as Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Commerce and on the White House Council of Economic Advisers. She’s a nationally recognized expert on manufacturing and one of the most influential thought leaders advancing bottom-up economic development in America today.

In this episode, we dive into our shared work on the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP), which was an early and influential federal initiative that helped seed the emergence of place-based development strategies across the country. Sue offers fascinating insights into the practical, evidence-based methods for catalyzing regional growth through smarter manufacturing, to include the power of industrial ecosystems, the risks of "racing to the bottom," and the need for better structures, metrics, and coordination among federal, state, and regional actors.

From her reflections on the enduring value of manufacturing to her passionate call for a long-term national industrial strategy, Sue’s clarity and conviction make her such a trusted leader in the field. Whether you're new to the AMCC network or a seasoned stakeholder, this episode is full of wisdom and takeaways from one of the nation's foremost champions for bottom-up, evidence-based sustainable development - it’s a must listen!!

🔗Links to Learn More:

• Find Susan Helper on Linkedin.
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.
• Visit our website.

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I sit down with Melissa MacGregor from Jobs for the Future (JFF) to talk about something that keeps coming up in our conversations with regional manufacturing leaders: how do we actually build stronger apprenticeship pathways that meet both worker and industry needs? Melissa brings deep experience and a practical perspective to the table. We get into the nuts and bolts of what makes a "quality job," how registered apprenticeships are structured, and what regional leaders can do to support them,even if they’re starting from scratch. 

Melissa also shares some hard-earned lessons from the field, including the real barriers that stall progress and where she sees opportunities for systemic change. If you’re wondering how to move from talk to implementation when it comes to workforce development, this conversation offers a grounded and honest look at what it really takes. Thanks to Melissa and JFF for their exceptional work and for partnering with AMCC to bring about more collective impact for American workers and businesses!

Matt

Links to Learn More:

• JFF on State Tax Credits and Tuition Support
• JFF Quality Job Framework
• Find Melissa on Linkedin.
• Learn more about Melissa on JFF’s website.
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.
• Visit our website.

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I sit down with my old friend and longtime collaborator Chuck Shoopman, president of Growth Innovations Group and a leader in Tennessee. We take a trip down memory lane back to our days with E3 and the early IMCP initiatives and talk about how those early bottom-up, place-based strategies have now become central to national economic revitalization efforts. Chuck shares relevant stories from his time at the Tennessee Valley Authority and the University of Tennessee, reflecting on how losing manufacturing jobs impacted rural communities and why rebuilding that foundation matters now more than ever.

We dive into the critical role of trust in regional collaboration, the unique value that universities can bring when they truly partner with communities, and why private sector helpers like Chuck’s group are vital to strengthening local manufacturers. If you care about sustainable economic development, workforce readiness, and America’s role in a global manufacturing race, this one’s for you. We cover a lot but it all comes back to working together at the regional level to move the national project forward.

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

🔗Links to Learn More:

• Find Chuck on Linkedin.
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.

Visit our website.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I had the chance to sit down with Bert Feuss, a longtime leader in mission-driven capital deployment, to unpack what capital access actually means for regional manufacturing communities. Bert helped us understand how philanthropic dollars can go far beyond traditional grants. We explored how the other 95% of these funds (what Bert calls the “corpus”) can be aligned with community impact, including financing manufacturing-related efforts like workforce development, sustainable production, or even employee ownership transitions.

What stood out to me was how real the opportunity is right now to connect regional manufacturing ecosystems with the world of impact investing. Bert talked about the need for place-based investment strategies that aren't just about writing checks, but about building relationships, de-risking innovation, and convening stakeholders across sectors. If you're a regional leader looking to strengthen your manufacturing base, this episode will give you a new lens on the role that philanthropic capital can play in fueling sustainable, long-term economic growth.

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

🔗Links to Learn More:

• Find Bert on Linkedin.
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.

Visit our website.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with my friend Andrew Hoffman, professor at the University of Michigan and author of 19 books, to talk about his latest, Business School and the Noble Purpose of the Market. Andy’s journey is remarkable, from his early days as a carpenter to becoming one of the most respected voices calling for a rethinking of social benefit enterprises and business education.

We dug into why today’s business schools must evolve beyond outdated shareholder-first models and start preparing leaders to take on the big challenges of our time—climate change, inequality, and rebuilding trust in institutions. Andy makes a compelling case for how markets, when properly guided, can serve a noble purpose. He also shares a vision for how universities, government, and business can better align to drive meaningful change.

If you're part of a regional ecosystem, a university, or simply someone working to make your corner of the nation work better for more people, Andy’s insights offer both a critique and a clear path forward. I hope this conversation sparks ideas—and more importantly, action—in your own work.

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

🔗Links to Learn More:

• Find Andrew on Linkedin.
• Read Business School and the Noble Purpose of the Market
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.

Visit our website.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, I’m joined by two powerhouse leaders doing the heavy lifting to strengthen our country’s innovation economy—Shalin Jyotishi from New America and Deb Volzer from SME. These folks aren’t just talking about change—they’re out there building the systems to make it happen. Shalin walks us through how New America’s Future of Work and Innovation Economy initiative is working to ensure that technological advancement strengthens—not sidelines—the American middle class. He discusses the launch of a new national Accelerator for Community Colleges, designed to build capacity across institutions and regions engaged in tech-based economic development.

Deb, meanwhile, shares how SME’s 90-year legacy is evolving with their new Manufacturing Imperative Workforce Pipeline Challenge; a bold initiative engaging 25 community colleges across 17 states. Her team is addressing workforce gaps through scalable, employer-driven models that align local needs with national priorities in manufacturing and advanced technologies.

Their work offers a roadmap for how public, private, and educational sectors can come together to meet the moment.If you care about making workforce development more effective—or just want to hear from people who are rolling up their sleeves and doing the work—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

🔗Links to Learn More:

• Find Shalin on Linkedin.
• Find Deb on Linkedin.
• Learn more about New America’s Future of Work and Innovation Economy
• Learn more about SME’s Manufacturing Imperative Workforce Pipeline Challenge
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.

Visit our website.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.