MEP Advisory Board Meeting 

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Virtual Meeting

Connection Info Sent Under Separate Cover

DRAFT AGENDA

1 p.m.–1:05 p.m.

5 minutes

Meeting Opening/Logistics Cheryl Gendron, NIST MEP

1:05 p.m.–1:25 p.m.

25 minutes

Welcome and Introductions

Opening Remarks

Welcome from NIST Leadership

Board and Audience Introductions

Matt Newman, Chair, MEP Advisory 

Board 

Walt Copan, NIST 

Mojdeh Bahar, NIST

Carroll Thomas, NIST MEP

1:25 p.m.–2:05 p.m.

45 minutes

NIST MEP Senior Management

Update 

Board Feedback and Discussion

Carroll Thomas

Rob Ivester, NIST MEP

2:05 p.m.–2:35 p.m.

30 minutes

Presentation: 

National and State Economic 

Challenges and Opportunities, 

Data Trends

Dan Berglund, SSTI 

2:35 p.m.–3:05 p.m.

30 minutes

Discussion:

Exploring Future Themes – NIST 

MEP Competitive Award 

Program’s Notice of Funding 

Opportunity Discussion

Michael Wilson, NIST MEP

3:05 p.m.–3:20 p.m.

15 minutes

Meeting Break

Agenda Subject to Change

Times are estimated
Meeting continues after break:

3:20 p.m.- 3:40 p.m.

20 minutes

Working Group Update:

Supply Chain Development 

Working Group 

Board Feedback and Discussion

Don Bockoven, MEP Advisory Board

Dave Stieren, NIST MEP

3:40 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.

20 minutes

Working Group Update:

MEP National NetworkTM Strategic 

Plan 2023-2028 

Board Feedback and Discussion

Kathay Rennels, MEP Advisory Board

Rob Ivester

4:00 p.m.- 4:20 p.m.

20 minutes

Working Group Update:

Executive Committee Working 

Group

Board Feedback and Discussion

Mary Isbister, MEP Advisory Board

Cheryl Gendron

4:20 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

10 minutes

Public Comments/Wrap Up Matt Newman

Carroll Thomas

Meeting Open to the Public/Registration Required

All attendees will be participating via webinar; please contact Ms. Cheryl Gendron at 301-975-2785 or 

cheryl.gendron@nist.gov for detailed instructions on how to join the online meeting. All registration requests 

must be received by 5 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, September 16, 2020. 

Note two additional Virtual Events planned for Wednesday, September 23, 2020

MAB Optional: MEP National Network Update Meeting

The MEP National Network Virtual Update Meeting will kick off at 1pm and is intended to bring the many 

individuals making up the Network together to learn more about current activities and changes in manufacturing 

across the country. A key theme will be how best to continue to position the Network to provide these services to 

strengthen and empower U.S. manufacturers during this unprecedented time. This is planned for the day after 

the board meeting. 

MAB Optional: Virtual Retirement Recognition Event: Carroll Thomas

The afternoon will finish with a very special send-off for MEP Director Carroll Thomas as she retires. The virtual 

retirement event begins at 3:30 p.m. EDT and will feature various speakers recognizing Carroll’s long career and 

important impact on the MEP Program. Attendees can leave personal notes for Carroll through the Q&A feature 

on the virtual event platform.

Registration is Complimentary for these Two Events but Required

Click here to Jump to Registration Site.

Rev. 9/8/2020