Wednesday, March 9, 2022

FACA Board Meeting

• •

MEP Advisory Board 

March 9, 2022 

FACA Board Meeting 

This is a simplified version of the presentation for website purposes. 

A full version may be requested by emailing Cheryl.Gendron@nist.gov 
 

 

 

 

• •

FACA and the Advisory Board 

• The MEP Advisory Board is authorized under Section 3003(d) of the America COMPETES 

Act (Pub. L. 110–69), as amended by the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, 

Public Law 114–329 sec. 501 (2017), and codified at 15 U.S.C. 278k(m), in accordance with 

the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C., App. 

2 
 

 

 

• •

Welcome from Board Chair 

• Matthew Newman, MEP Advisory Board, Chair 

• Welcome New Members 

• Review the Agenda 

3 
 

 

 

• •

Kathay Rennels – Thank You for Your Service 

Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Rural-Urban Initiatives Colorado State University System 

Two Terms of Board Service: March 1, 2016 – February 28, 2022 

4 
• •

MAB Meeting Details 

• Wednesday, March 9, 2022 

• Board Meeting Opening/Logistics 

• Welcome and Introductions 

• Opening Remarks and Welcome 

• Board and Audience Roll Call 

• MEP Director’s Update 

• Presentation: MEP Program Performance Overview 

• Presentation: Looking at Partnerships Through the Lens of Economic Development 

• Working Group Update: Supply Chain Development 

• Working Group Update: Strategic Plan 2023-2028 

• Working Group Update: Executive Committee 

5 
 

• •

Welcome and Introductions 

• James K. Olthoff, Performing the duties of the NIST Director 

• Mojdeh Bahar, NIST, Associate Director, Innovation and Industry Services 

• Pravina Raghavan, MEP Director 

6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

•

•

The MEP Advisory Board • Chair: Matthew Newman, New Era Advisors, Inc. • Vice Chair: Mary Isbister, GenMet Corp • Ray Aguerrevere, Custom Metal Fabricators • Jose Anaya, El Camino Community College • Don Bockoven, Fiber Industries LLC • LaDon Byars, Colonial Diversified Polymer Products, LLC • Bernadine Hawes, Econsult • Miriam Kmetzo, Welding Technology Corp • Mitch Magee, Consultant • Pat Moulton, VT Tech • George Spottswood, Quality Filters, Inc • Leslie Taito, Taco Comfort Solutions • Jim Wright, Proof Research 

7 
 

Registration listing as of 3/8/2022 

• •

NIST MEP Leadership & Division Chiefs 

• Pravina Raghavan, Director 

• Rob Ivester, Deputy Director 

• Jose Colucci-Rios, Acting Division Chief for Extension Services 

• J. Chancy Lyford, Division Chief for External Affairs, Performance and Support 

• Kevin McIntyre, Division Chief for Finance Management and Center Operations 

• Mary Ann Pacelli, Division Chief for Network Learning and Strategic Competitions 

• Mark Schmit, Division Chief for Regional and State Partnerships 

8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

• •

MEP Center Directors 

• Black, Steve - UT MEP, University of Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

• Brinkman, Buckley - WI MEP, Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity 

• Coast, Michael - MI MEP, MMTC 

• Cruise, Dusty - MO MEP, Missouri Enterprise 

• Riegner, Rikki - PA MEP 

• Rodrigues, Alyssa - Alaska MEP 

9 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ayala, Mellissa - NIST MEP

Ausherman, Nicole - NIST MEP

Barnes, Robert - NIST MEP

Berglund, Dan - SSTI

Blum, Megean - NIST MEP

Campbell, Steve - NIST MEP

Cassady, Amber - Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC

Chaiken, Scott - MMTC

Chilstrom, Allegra - Neal R. Gross & Co., Inc.

• •

Other Registered Guests 

Ayala, Mellissa - NIST MEP 

Ausherman, Nicole - NIST MEP 

Barnes, Robert - NIST MEP 

Berglund, Dan - SSTI 

Blum, Megean - NIST MEP 

Campbell, Steve - NIST MEP 

Cassady, Amber - Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC 

Chaiken, Scott - MMTC 

Chilstrom, Allegra - Neal R. Gross & Co., Inc. 

Claussen, Monica - NIST MEP 

Connolly, Peter - Shock Tech 

Danner, Larry - The Clearing 

Davis, Melissa - NIST MEP 

DeJesus, Nadine - NIST MEP 

Devereaux, Doug - NIST MEP 

Durham, Emily - Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC 

Esoda, Eric - NEPIRC 

10 
• •

11

Other Registered Guests

Lequin, Wiza - NIST MEP

Luckett, Mia - Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC 

Mackey, Drew - NEPIRC

Mastalski, Anthony - NIST MEP 

Mathews, G. Christopher - National Custom Hollow 

Metal Doors and Frames

Mayton, Heather - NIST MEP 

Meritis, Dimitrios - NIST MEP

Mitchell, Petra - Catalyst Connection

Mocca, Justin -NIST MEP 

Gendron, Cheryl - NIST MEP

Gilles, Joylynn - Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity

Graham, Laura - SSTI

Henderson, Diane - NIST MEP

Hernandez, Autumn - NIST MEP

Hines, Carrie - American Small Manufacturers Coalition

Hoag, KeAnne - NC MEP

Johnson, Eliot - The Clearing

Lagas, Brian - NIST MEP
• •

12

Other Registered Guests

Thomas, Carroll, NIST MEP

Thomas, Nico, NIST MEP

Vickery, Ben, NIST MEP

Wadsworth, Phill - NIST MEP

Walker, Marlon - NIST MEP

Webb, Samm - NIST MEP

Weiss, Brian - NIST

Williams, Thomas - NIST MEP

Wilson, Michael - NIST MEP

Parker, Annette - South Central College

Peterson, Andrew - NIST MEP

Pinckney, Kim - NIST MEP

Rapp, Katie - NIST MEP

Reidy, Kari - NIST OCLA 

Rosa, Jennifer - NIST MEP

Riethm, Kirsten - RTI

Shibley, Carol - NIST MEP 

Taylor, Michael - NIST MEP

Thomas, Carroll, NIST MEP

Thomas, Nico, NIST MEP

Vickery, Ben, NIST MEP

Wadsworth, Phill - NIST MEP

Walker, Marlon - NIST MEP

Webb, Samm - NIST MEP

Weiss, Brian - NIST

Williams, Thomas - NIST MEP

Wilson, Michael - NIST MEP

Other Registered Guests
• •

1. Legislative & MEP Program Budget Updates

2. Plan for Additional Funding

3. MEP National Network Updates

4. MEP National Network Current Strategic Plan Update

NIST MEP Director’s Update

13
• •

Legislative & MEP Program Budget Updates

14
• •

MEP Program Budget Outlook

15

app

FY 2022 

Appropriation 

Status

• Currently under CR 

through March 11.

• President’s budget, 

House bill contain $275 

million for MEP. 

• Senate mark is $175 

million.

FY 2021 

Appropriation 

Status

• Base funding: $150 

million; $4 million 

increase over FY20.

• Funding not subject to 

cost share requirements; 

elective for Centers 

receiving state funds 

conditioned on federal 

cost share requirement. 

FY 2022 

Appropriation 

Status Outlook

• House passed FY22 

Omnibus language this 

morning.

• Another short-term CR 

expected to 3/15.

• $158 million for MEP.

• Cost share exemption in.
• •

NIST MEP Projected Spend Plan Through March 11, 2022

16

Available Funding: $ Millions

CR Appropriation 66.6

Carryover from FY 2021 2.0

Funding from Other Agencies* 0.0

Total Available Funding 68.6

Planned Expenditures: .

.

Center Renewals 58.0

Strategic Competitions 0.0

Contracts 1.2

NIST MEP Labor 5.2

NIST and Program Overhead 4.2

Total Planned Expenditures 68.6

Projected FY 2021 Efficiency Rate = 11.48%; actual FY 2020 Efficiency Rate = 9.03%.

* Funding from DOD for Contracts and Project Support
• •

Plan for Additional Program Funding

17
• •

• Awards will occur through a CAP award

• No cost share requirement

• Focused on three program

themes

What Is the Plan for Any Additional Funding?

18
•

Program Theme•s

Supply Chain Technology 

and 

Innovation

Workforce 

19
• •

Program Theme Example (Workforce)

20
• •

How Will MEP Centers Participate?

• MEP Centers will choose tactics that are most relevant to their MEP 

Center and state

• Pick and choose from any of the program themes

• Pick one or multiple tactics across the program themes

• Proposed funding levels:

• Up to $1 million per MEP Center proposal, and 

• Up to $5 million for multiple MEP Center proposal

• Engage with other MEP Centers and states to explore potential 

proposal partnerships

21
• •

Important Dates

• NIST MEP posted program themes on the MEP website and MEP Connect on Feb. 23

• Notice Of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) is being released today

• Funding levels are expected to be announced by March 11 

• MEP Center CAP proposals are due May 1, 2022

• NIST MEP must submit final MEP Center proposal packages to NIST Grants Division by July 1

• Funding is expected to be awarded to the MEP Centers in late September 2022

22
• •

Strategic Competition Update

• FY 2022 Center State Competition

• Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for group one (KY, NE, RI and SD) posted on grants.gov on 

Jan. 26, 2022

• The NOFO is also located on the MEP website: https://www.nist.gov/mep/mep-center-state-competition-fy-2022

• Applications are due April 26, 2022

• Awards will be announced Oct. 2022 for Jan. 1 2023 start

• Award recommendations must be made to GMD no later than July 8, 2022

• NOFO for Group 2 (AZ and MD) will be posted in June 2022

• Applications will be due in mid-September 2022

• Awards will be announced April 2023 for July 1, 2023 start

23

A virtual informational session was held on Feb. 14, 2022 and a recording of that webinar can be accessed at: 

https://bluejeans.com/s/cipYJUMNK6A

23
• •

Strategic Competition Update

MEP Disaster Assessment Program (MDAP)

• Applications must be received by NIST no later than 60 calendar days following the date that a major or 

an emergency disaster declaration is declared by FEMA

• Two fundable applications (TX, LA) are on hold due to budget constraints

CARES Act results through FY21 

• Additional information will be shared during the FACA meeting

• 2021 DOC Organizational Gold Medal to NIST MEP

24
• •

MEP National Network Updates

25
•

NIST MEP •

26

Last Updated March 1, 2022
• •

27

Mark Schmit (NIST MEP)

Kathie Mahoney (RI)

Bill Donohue (VA)

Rob Ivester (NIST MEP)

Jim Watson (CA)

Tom Bugnitz (CO)

Mike Coast (MI)

Carrie Hines (ASMC/FORME)

Ethan Karp (OH) 

MEP National Network Center Leadership Team (CLT)

Buckley Brinkman (WI)

Alyssa Rodrigues (AK)

Tiffany Stovall (KS)

Jennifer Sinsabaugh (NM)

MEP National 

Network Center 

27

Pravina Raghavan (NIST MEP)
• •

Last Updated Feb. 24, 2022

New MEP Center Directors

28

• Carolyn Miller, Mississippi Manufacturers Assoc.

• Jennifer Hagan-Dier, Manufacturer's Edge

• Gregory Head, Advantage Kentucky Alliance

• Dayna Blanchard, MEPoL

• Andy Carr, South Carolina MEP

• Jodie Mjoen, Impact Dakota

• Aaron Patrick, Ohio MEP

• Rodney Reddic, TMAC

Interim Center Directors
• •

Center Board Support

NIST MEP Network Learning has been coordinating MEP Center 

Board support since 2017 

• Offer Board member assessments using an MEP-centric assessment tool. 

Results are confidential

• Offer action planning sessions as a result of the assessments and 

workshops targeted to specific needs of Boards. Sessions have covered 

topics such as strategic planning, advocacy, and Board recruitment

29

35 states (and 37 SRAs) have 

used some form of board 

development services:

• 25 assessments

• 19 action planning consulting

• 15 workshops

• 10 individual consults

MEP BoardSource subscription

A nationally recognized organization whose mission is to increase effectiveness in board governance, education 

and training. Valuable for both Center Directors and Center Board Members

Subscription gives access to the various best practices, blogs, studies and various governance materials. 

MEP has a dedicated link to access the site in MEP Connect in the Board Governance tab

Board Support
• •

Network Learning Events

• Center Director Executive Support Program 

• New program in development will offer a range of resources to support Centers (will launch Sept. 2022)

• Engaging Center Directors in the design and delivery of the program

• Will provide a wide range of resources to meet the varied needs of individual directors and local circumstances

• Program includes series of workshops, facilitated panel discussions and peer to peer councils 

• Tab Wilkins Emerging Leaders Program (TWEL) 

• Current 1.13 cohort will graduate in April

• TWEL nominations for Class 1.14 open for nominations

30

MEPNN New 

Employee Orientation

Mar. 29 @ 2 p.m. EDT

New MEP Center Board Member 

Orientation

Mar. 31 @ 2 p.m. EDT

New MEP Center Director Orientation 

and Onboarding 

Two half-days (new format) Jan. 18 and 

26, 2022 30
• •

Center Directors: Alumni of the TWEL Program

31

• Andy Carr, SC MEP, Class 1.9

• Dusty Cruise, Missouri Enterprise, Class 1.2

• Wayne Inouye, Hawaii Tech Corp, Class 1.4

• John W. Kennedy, NJ MEP, Class 1.6

• Kathie Mahoney, Polaris MEP, Class 1.5

• Carolyn Miller, MS Manufacturers Assoc., Class 1.2

• Phillip Mintz, NC MEP, Class 1.2

• Aaron Patrick, Ohio MEP, Class 1.8

• Keith Phillips, Alabama Tech Network, Class 1.5

• Dwaine Raper, TN MEP, Class 1.9

• Rikki Riegner, PA MEP, Class 1.11

• Jennifer Sinsabaugh, NM MEP, Class 1.1

• Rustyn Stoops, DE MEP, Class 1.7

• Tiffany Stovall, KMS, Class 1.7

• Deloit R. Wolfe Jr., Impact Washington, Class 1.9
• •

Network Learning: Connect, Communicate and Collaborate

Network Learnings Corner in the Network News

• To effectively share, transfer and discuss NIST MEP’s vision, learnings, distinctive practices, meeting 

and webinar recordings, programs, success stories, and special announcements

32

Network Learnings section in MEP Connect

• Knowledge sharing from NIST MEP — working groups, extension services, 

competitive awards projects, distinctive practices, helpful resources and more

• Competitive Awards Program highlights and close-out meeting recordings

• Funding opportunities

• Project outcomes and deliverables
• •

NIST MEP: National Network Support

Notable Center Service Areas

Cybersecurity 

• Continued awareness & training on primarily DFARS or Ransomware-related

• Creating internal and external partnerships 

Advanced Manufacturing Technology/Industry 4.0

• Opportunity for increased SMM adoption due to workforce challenges 

exacerbated by the pandemic

• Increased Center participation via NIST MEP special project awards and the 

Industry 4.0 working group

33
• •

MATTR 

• Continuing to operationalize at Centers and increase awareness, participation of 

NIST Labs – focus on MATTR value for manufacturers, Centers, NIST

• Three active CRADAs involving NIST Labs, MEP Center clients and NIST MEP

Food Industry Services/Food Safety

• Active partnerships with FDA and FSPCA focused on food safety

• All 51 Centers participating in Food Working Group

NIST MEP: National Network Support

Notable Center Service Areas

34
• •

Visit www.nist.gov/mep/supplier-scouting for more information 35

2

3

NIST MEP Prepares Report

Prepares scouting results report and 

will request submitter to follow-up 

with NIST MEP.

Supply Chain Need Identified

MEP Supplier Scouting Opportunity 

Synopsis is created with assistance 

from NIST MEP.

NIST MEP Distributes

MEP Centers conduct a nationwide 

search for U.S. manufacturers.

Aggregate Results

NIST MEP will gather, analyze and 

aggregate MEP Center submissions.

NIST MEP: National Network Support for Supplier Scouting 
• •

MEP National Network 

Current Strategic Plan Update

36
• •

MEP National NetworkTM 2017-2022 Strategic Goals 

EMPOWER 

MANUFACTURERS

CHAMPION 

MANUFACTURING

TRANSFORM THE 

NETWORK

LEVERAGE 

PARTNERSHIPS

Objective— assist U.S. 

manufacturers in embracing 

productivity-enhancing 

innovative manufacturing 

technologies, navigate 

advanced technology 

solutions and recruit and 

retain a skilled and diverse 

workforce.

Objective— actively promote the 

importance of a strong 

manufacturing base as key to a 

robust U.S. economy and for the 

protection of national security 

interests; create awareness of 

innovations in manufacturing; 

create workforce development 

partnerships to build a stronger 

and diverse workforce pipeline; 

and maximize market awareness 

of the MEP National Network.

Objective— leverage national, 

regional, state and local 

partnerships to gain substantial 

increase in market penetration; 

identify mission-complementary 

advocates to help MEP 

become a recognized 

manufacturing resource brand; 

build an expanded service 

delivery model to support 

manufacturing technology 

advances.

Objective— maximize National 

Network knowledge and 

experience to operate as an 

integrated national network; 

increase efficiency and 

effectiveness by employing a 

Learning Organization platform; 

and create a resilient and 

adaptive MEP National 

Network to support a resilient 

and adaptive U.S. 

manufacturing base.

37
• •

Measures for the Current Strategic Plan

38

Strenghening

the National 

Supply Chain

1. Strengthening the National Supply Chain

2. Serving the Manufacturing Workforce

3. Increasing Awareness

4. Leading in Technology Deployment
• •

39

1.

3.

18 Month Measures of Success

1. Strengthening the National Supply Chain

Increase supplier matches and clients served in critical areas

2. Serving the Manufacturing Workforce

Increase client engagement in workforce services 

3. Increasing Awareness

Amplify and measure Network brand awareness 

4. Leading in Technology Deployment

Increase client engagement in technology services and implementation 
• •

Measure One: Strengthening the National Supply Chain

• Supplier scouting requests

• Successful scouts – matching buyers and sellers

40

40
• •

Measure One – Strengthening the Supply Chain

Goal: Increase Supplier Scouting requests by 10% Goal: Increase successful Supplier Scouting matches by 10%

41

124

58

137

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Baseline Update Through 2021Q4

(6 Months)

Goal

298

80

328

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Baseline Update Through 2021Q4

(6 Months)

Goal
• •

Measure Two: Serving the Manufacturing Workforce

• Clients and/or projects in workforce-related services

42

42
• •

Measure Two – Serving the Manufacturing Workforce

Goal: Increase clients engaged with workforce projects by 10%

43

1,800

996

1,980

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

Baseline Update Through 2021Q4 (6 Months) Goal
• •

Measure Three: Increasing Awareness

• Count occurrences of the hashtag #MEPNationalNetwork

• Count of online mentions of brand terms “MEP National Network” and “NIST MEP”

• Total subscribers to the NIST MEP Blog

• Aggregate count of backlinks

• Number of followers on NIST MEP’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages

44

44
• •

*Progress to date based on data from Oct. 1, 2021 – Dec. 31, 2021.

Brand Measure

Baseline for 

Current 18 

Months*

Progress To 

Date

New Goal for 

Current 18 

Months

Change

#MEPNationalNetwork Hashtag Occurrences 567 608 624 +7%

Brand Mentions 194 202 213 +4%

Manufacturing Innovation Blog Subscribers 40,130 44,809 44,143 +12%

Backlinks 186 204 205 +10%

Social Media Followers 18,419 18,742 20,261 +2%

45

Measure Three – Increased Awareness 

Goal: Amplifying Network Brand Awareness by at least 10%. 
• •

Measure Four: Leading in Technology Deployment

• Clients and/or projects in technology services

• MATTR engagements

46
• •

Measure Four – Leading in Technology Deployment

Goal: Increase clients engaged with technology services projects by 10% Goal: Increase MATTR requests/inquiries by 10%

47

983

763

1,081

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Baseline Update Through 2021Q4

(6 Months)

Goal

25

7

28

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

Baseline Update Through 2021Q4

(6 Months)

Goal
• •

48

• Presentation: Pravina Raghavan, NIST MEP Director

MEP Program Performance Overview
• •

Looking Back: FY21 Impact Survey Results

49

125,746

$14.4 $5.2 $1.5

Results are based on FY 2021 MEP National Network Client Impact Survey

$15.7

BILLION

In New and 

Retained Sales

$4.5

BILLION

In Total Investment in 

U.S. Manufacturing

$1.5

BILLION

In Cost Savings
• •

MEP CARES Act Results 

CARES ACT Results Through January 2022

• MEP Centers served 5,300 companies with 7,300 

CARES Act-funded projects

• 2,287 companies received MEP services for the

first time as a result

• 5,300 unique clients served with over 7,300 projects

Impacts Directly Attributable to the CARES Act*

• 17,385 jobs created or retained

• 1.5 billion in new and retained sales

• 482 million in new investment in U.S. manufacturing

• 175 million in cost savings

50 *Results are based on MEP National Network Client Impact Survey
• •

Assessed 

the pandemic’s impact 

on manufacturing

Forged 

partnerships and 

created connections

Helped 

manufacturers pivot

Evolved 

operations in a new 

normal

MEP National Network Rising to the Challenge

51
• •

Success Stories

Pivot to produce PPE, medical 

supplies and medical devices

52

Supplier 

Scouting Workforce
• •

Key Takeaways

• Manufacturers adapted

• Manufacturing thrived

• New partnerships developed

53

Supply Chain Technology and 

Innovation

Workforce 
• •

54

Looking at Partnerships Through the Lens of Economic 

Development

• Presentation: Pravina Raghavan, NIST MEP Director
• •

MEP National Network Strategic Partnerships

• The MEP program

• Serves as a bridge to other organizations and 

federal research labs that share a passion for 

enhancing the manufacturing community

• Fosters, develops and leverages these relationships

• Permits MEP Centers to expand the reach and 

value of the program to the manufacturing industry

55
• •

Value of Partnerships

• Public-private partnerships can bring to manufacturers capabilities that they cannot access 

alone

• Our understanding of and ability to align state, regional and local policy goals and objectives 

with national policy goals, leverages the strength of each entity

56

Products 

to Market 

Faster
• •

MEP Centers Connect Manufacturing Ecosystems

57 ***Based on MEP Center Partner reporting in MEIS as of February 2022

MEP 

Center

Federal 

Government

State/Local 

Government

Associations

Higher 

Education

Regional 

Economic 

Development 

Organizations

Non-Profit 

Organizations

For-Profit 

Consultants

Other
• •

Existing Partnerships

58

Federal Government Partners: State/Local Government Partners: Local/regional Economic 

Development Orgs:

EDA Economic Development District

EDA Trade Adjustment Assistance Center

EDA University Center

Federal Laboratory

DOE Industrial Assessment Center

Procurement Technical Assistance Center

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

ITA US Export Assistance Center

Associations:

Chamber of Commerce

Industry/Trade Association

Local government (e.g., Mayor or Council)

State Commerce/Economic Development Agency

State Energy/Environment Protection Agency

State Science or Technology Agency

State Workforce/Labor Agency

Higher Education:

Community Colleges

Technical College

University

Workforce Investment Board

Foundations

Manufacturing Alliances

Other MEP Centers

Power/utility

Manufacturers

Non-Profit Orgs:

Other Partners:
• •

The MEP National Network’s Partners are Vast

59
• •

DOD Partnerships Benefit Manufacturers

• Successful partnerships with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC), 

formerly the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) provide additional Center funding.

• Since 2016, over 30 MEP Centers have received awards from OLDCC’s Industry Resilience and 

Defense Manufacturing Community Support Programs. 

• MEP identifies manufacturers in the DOD supply chain and work with them to adapt to new 

economic realities (including responsiveness to cybersecurity initiatives and threats), retain 

employees, preserve key defense critical capabilities, and grow profitably.

60
• •

Potential New Partners to Consider

• Minority Service Institutions

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities

• Professional Associations

• Minority Business Development Centers

61

• Community Development Financial Institutions

• State Small Business Credit Initiative Program
• •

Partnerships: Future Strategy

• Who do we need to fill the gaps?

• Are there individual state gaps?

• Do we prioritize certain partnerships?

• Is there a national or state value to certain ones?

• Top down and bottom up

• Do we pilot a few?

• Challenges or barriers?

62
• •

MEP Advisory Board Working Group Updates

63
• •

Supply Chain Development Working Group

• Committee Members

• Board Leadership

Don Bockoven

• Board Members

Ray Aguerrevere, LaDon Byars, Mary Isbister, Matt Newman 

• NIST MEP Support

Rob Ivester

64

Deliverable - Guidance and perspectives on the MEPNN support and development of manufacturing supply 

chains with an emphasis on how coordination and execution of MEP services can improve supply chain 

resilience, and improve global competitiveness for key products and critical technologies.
• •

MEPNN Strategic Plan Working Group 2023-2028

• Committee Members

• Board Leadership

Bernadine Hawes

Jim Wright

• Board Members

Don Bockoven, Mary Isbister, Miriam Kmetzo, Mitch Magee, Matt Newman

• Past Board Member

Kathay Rennels

• NIST MEP Support

Mary Ann Pacelli, Cheryl Gendron, Wiza Lequin

65

Deliverable - To provide long-term program direction, guidance and perspectives for the MEP National 

Network Strategic Plan for 2023-2028. The WG will consider feedback from Centers, stakeholders, partners, 

management and staff as the plan is developed
• •

MEP National NetworkTM 2017-2022 Strategic Goals 

EMPOWER 

MANUFACTURERS

CHAMPION 

MANUFACTURING

TRANSFORM THE 

NETWORK

LEVERAGE 

PARTNERSHIPS

Objective— assist U.S. 

manufacturers in embracing 

productivity-enhancing 

innovative manufacturing 

technologies, navigate 

advanced technology 

solutions and recruit and 

retain a skilled and diverse 

workforce.

Objective— actively promote the 

importance of a strong 

manufacturing base as key to a 

robust U.S. economy and for the 

protection of national security 

interests; create awareness of 

innovations in manufacturing; 

create workforce development 

partnerships to build a stronger 

and diverse workforce pipeline; 

and maximize market awareness 

of the MEP National Network.

Objective— leverage national, 

regional, state and local 

partnerships to gain substantial 

increase in market penetration; 

identify mission-complementary 

advocates to help MEP 

become a recognized 

manufacturing resource brand; 

build an expanded service 

delivery model to support 

manufacturing technology 

advances.

Objective— maximize National 

Network knowledge and 

experience to operate as an 

integrated national network; 

increase efficiency and 

effectiveness by employing a 

Learning Organization platform; 

and create a resilient and 

adaptive MEP National 

Network to support a resilient 

and adaptive U.S. 

manufacturing base.

66
• •

Buy-In from 

Stakeholders

Recommendations

Strategic 

Planning 

Committee 

(SPC)

American 

Manufacturing 

Ecosystem 

Subcommittee

National 

Network 

Subcommittee

State and 

Legislative 

Subcommittee

Recommendations

Recommendations

Advisory 

Board 

and 

Working 

Group

SPC

Director 

of MEP

NIST/Department 

of Commerce

Mine Available data and prior 

work:

• Prior Strategic Plan

• MEP Advisory Board 

Strategic Plan Working 

Group

• CLT Strategy Group

• MEP Strategy Group

• ASMC Strategy work

• MEP resources

Gather data from identified 

sources:

• Interviews with Adv. Board 

members, Center Directors, 

Center Boards, MEP staff, 

others as identified

• Research domains and fields 

as identified by 

Subcommittees and other 

sources

Preparation Situational Analysis Research Formulation and Dissemination

Overview of the Strategic Planning Process
• •

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• •

Executive Committee Working Group

• Committee Members

• Board Leadership

Mary Isbister

• Board Members

Mitch Magee, Pat Moulton, Matt Newman, George Spottswood

• NIST MEP Support

Pravina Raghavan, Cheryl Gendron, Phill Wadsworth, Wiza Lequin

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Deliverable - Provide guidance on future MEP Advisory Board leadership and membership recruitment, 

provide insights into cultivating strong Board governance as well as explore ways to expand the MEP 

Advisory Board’s role in regard to the local MEP Center Boards.
• •

MEP Advisory Board: Other Discussion Topics

• Succession planning into the future 

• Goals – diverse membership with matching the statutory requirements.

• Appointed by the NIST Director.

• Three proposed candidates currently being vetted through DOC and NIST.

• Seats open on a rolling basis. 

• Recommendations from Center Directors.

• Federal Register Notice: Call for Nominations.

• 2021 MEP Advisory Board Report coming soon

• Will be submitted to the DOC in the coming weeks. 

• DOC will approve and distribute to Congress.

• Once with congressional representatives, members may share and the 

report will be published on the NIST MEP website.

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• •

MEP Advisory Board: Local Center Board Outreach

Opportunities to create connection with volunteers across the Network. 

• Contact with 51 Center Board Directors by the MAB Outreach Team (email, phone calls)

• Connections made over the last year continue; include informal conversations and 

attendance at board meetings; continuing into 2022

Discussions around:

• Source of feedback to MAB in its advisory role

• Communication of and feedback on key National Network initiatives

• Help leverage Network resources: 

• Quarterly orientations for Center Board Members

• BoardSource memberships

• Board development programs (governance, leadership, advocacy, strategic thinking and more!)

• Showing appreciation to the state board chairs for their time and commitment

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Center Board Outreach 

Program Goal:

Enhance strength of 

relationships between 

national and local boards

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• •

2022 Meeting Schedule

Planning Continues: Details Coming Soon

Chicago, Illinois 

Co/Located with the MEP National 

Network Update meeting and the 

FORME Center Best Practice 

Conference

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MEP Advisory Board

Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022

MEP Advisory Board

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Tulsa, Oklahoma or Virtual
• •

Thank You

For the Full Presentation, Please contact Cheryl Gendron at 

Cheryl.Gendron@nist.gov

VISIT OUR BLOG 

https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog

Get the latest NISTMEP news at:

www.nist.gov/mep