MEP Advisory Board

June 2021 FACA Board Meeting

•

MEP Advisory Board 

June, 2021 

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. 

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Welcome from Board Chair 

• Matthew Newman, MEP Advisory Board, Chair 

• Welcome New Members 

• Review the Agenda 

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•

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MAB Meeting Details

• Wednesday, June 30, 2021

• Board Meeting Opening/Logistics

• Welcome and Introductions

• Opening Remarks

• Welcome from NIST and NIST MEP Leadership

• Board and Audience Introductions

• NIST MEP Senior Management Update 

• Presentation: 2021 Legislative Update

• Working Group Update

• MEP National NetworkTM Strategic Plan 2023-2028
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MAB Meeting Details

• Wednesday, June 30, 2021

• Working Group Update, Extended: MEP National Network 

Strategic Plan 2023-2028 

• Focus Group – Overarching Resilience

• Focus Group – Reshoring

• Focus Group – National Supply Chain

• Focus Group – Workforce

• Working Group Update: Supply Chain Development

• Working Group Update: Executive Committee 
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Welcome and Introductions

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

• Rob Ivester, Acting Director, NIST MEP
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• MEP Program Budget Outlook/Spend Plan

• MEP National Network Update

• NIST MEP Operational Update

• MEP National Network Current Strategic Plan Update

• MEP National Network Expansion: Planning for the Future

NIST MEP Director’s Update
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MEP Program Budget Outlook

(as of 6/30/2021)

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FY 2022 

Appropriation Status

• President’s budget includes 

$275 million appropriation 

for MEP. 

• Cost share provision similar 

to FY21 might be included in 

FY22 appropriation. 

FY 2021 

Appropriation Status

Base funding: $150 million

• $4 million increase over FY20.

• Center funding not subject to 

cost share requirements; 

elective for Centers receiving 

state funds conditioned on 

federal cost share requirement. 
•

.

.

NIST MEP FY 2021 Projected Spend Plan

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Estimated FY 2021 Efficiency Rate = 11.84%; actual FY 2020 Efficiency Rate = 9.03%.

Available Funding: $ Millions

Full Year Appropriation 150.0

Carryover from FY 2020 7.3

Recoveries from Deobligations (anticipated) 1.4

Funding from Other Agencies* 0.0

Total Available Funding 158.7

Planned Expenditures: 

Center Renewals 128.9

Strategic Competitions 4.2

Contracts 4.7

NIST MEP Labor 11.2

NIST and Program Overhead 9.8

Total Planned Expenditures 158.7

* Funding from DOD for contracts and project support
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CARES Act Update

Centers reporting progress quarterly

• Reporting for 2021 Q1 (March 30 end)

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CARES Act funding in review

• CARES Act 60-day report – March (GAO-104526)

• Review started in March 2021

• Several meetings to answer questions

• April 1 final report: no findings for MEP

OIG audit on CARES Act funding

• Exit briefing completed

• No findings for MEP

Manufacturers Contacted 138,468

Client Projects Completed 3,601

Supplier Searches 807

Supplier Matches 276

Multi-Center Engagements 299
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CARES Act Update

Highlights of CARES Act funding initiatives:

• Working directly with state governments

• Linking state government policies and programs to manufacturers by participating in emergency task forces to address challenges and issues. 

• Connecting the manufacturing industry and state procurement efforts. 

• Managing state-level supply chain portals, linking manufacturers to demand and organizing them to deploy as needs change.

• Addressing specific issues with manufacturing PPE, medical supplies and medical devices

• Helping manufacturers meet the country’s urgent needs for PPE and medical devices by guiding them to information and solutions about testing 

protocols, quality testing and required certifications. 

• Helping address issues of potential legal liabilities arising from the production of PPE and medical supplies and devices.

• Maintaining base operations and serving all manufacturers

• MEP Centers are helping companies engage with customers in new and different ways: providing cybersecurity assistance — addressing new 

kinds of threats as employees work in new ways, and examine ways to use technologies to improve productivity.

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Strategic Competition Update

• Current award with State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) ending June 30, 2020

• New five-year award confirmed for SSTI

• $4,999,847 for the period of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026 (5 years)

• Project activities will do the following:

• Identify and understand the goals and personalities of individuals in key stakeholder groups

• Build and enhance relationships with policymakers and leaders

• Execute partnership strategies

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State Partnership Award 
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Strategic Competition Update

• New CAP NOFO released Dec. 28, 2020 

• 14 eligible applications in review

• Revised themes:

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• Industry/manufacturing 4.0 

• Manufacturing workforce services to include employee recruitment, retention and employee development

• Supply chain management and resiliency

• Artificial intelligence (AI) application
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Strategic Competitions and Network Learning

• Close-out meetings for concluding CAPs will be open to the Network 

• Communicate programs and materials for the benefit and use of the Network

• Projects that have been highlighted or will be in the coming months

• FloridaMakes: AeroFlex Apprenticeship, held final presentation on June 22

• NY MEP: Capital Region Innovation Resource Center

• Georgia MEP: Food Safety Compliance and Management for Small Food and Beverage Processors

• Innovate Hawaii: Smart Talent

• University of South Dakota: Technology Adoption Center for Increased Competitiveness

• Missouri Enterprise: Food Safety in the Heartland

• Montana MEP: NW Food Safety Modernization Act 

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Network Learning 

Tab Wilkins Emerging Leaders

• Cohort 1.13 started April 2021

• 14 participants from 12 Centers

• NIST MEP is working with a contractor for a refresh of the program

• Topic workshops being developed: Influence, entrepreneurship, developing solutions to challenges, leading people

New Center Director Orientation

• Completed June 2-3

• 10 new Center Directors (new within the last 18 months) and 4 SRA Directors

• Included a virtual lab tour: MATTR CRADA project

• Marlon Walker, Andrew Peterson and Ako Chijioke

New Center Staff Orientation

• May 27

• Over 80 participants

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NIST MEP: National Network Support

Center Reviews: 2021

48 Centers (includes 24 going through a year five/secretarial review)

Panel Reviews

Third and Eighth-Year

• Eighth-year panel reviews for AZ/MD completed (February 2021)

• Coming up: eighth-year panel review – NE (August 2021)

Annual Reviews

Conducted during fifth-year (determination for second five-year cooperative agreement).

• Round 3 and 4 Centers (total of 24 Centers) will have their year five annual/secretarial 

Reviews – Spring/Fall 2021

Secretarial Reviews

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• Defined priority areas for the year.

• Recent discussion at CLT Regional Nodes calls include Center’s 

business updates, expansion of MEP, diversity and inclusion and 

addressing the workforce problem at the manufacturer level.

• The structure improves access directly to CLT members and 

ensures that everyone in the National Network has a voice.

MEP National Network Center Leadership Team (CLT)
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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)
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FY21 Center Leadership Team Priorities

• Multi- State Engagements

How can Centers, working together, better exploit opportunities for increased market penetration, increase reported economic impacts and 

improved efficiencies in service delivery? Bill Donohue

• Go-To Center Collaboratives 

Go-To Centers are Centers that have expertise and capacity in a technology or service to share with the Network. Go-To Centers are 

ready to provide assistance remotely or in-person to Centers in need of their expertise or service to use as a solution for local SMMs. A 

Go-To Center will also have the responsibility for their area of expertise to maintain and update Center capabilities, tools and services for 

the Network. Mike Coast

• Creating Greater Network Alignment

To establish a collaborative environment between NIST MEP staff, partners and the CLT, representing MEP Centers, creating a unified 

approach to developing and implementing National Network strategies, priorities, programs and initiatives. Co-leads Jim Watson/Mary 

Ann Pacelli

• Leveraging MEP’s Convening Power

Understand, benchmark and share how MEP Centers can lean into the role of convener. Enable more MEPs to convene, and to do so in a 

way that enhances their mission, clients, financial strength and the overall health of American manufacturing and the National Network.

Ethan Karp

• Creating a Collaborative Vision/Strategy on Behalf of the National Network 

How will we reconcile the multiple visions and strategies active throughout the MEP National Network? How do we create a vision big enough 

and a strategy strong enough to pull together the entire National Network? Buckley Brinkman
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MEPNN Extension Services: Historically

• NIST MEP, MEP Centers and partners/stakeholders work together to identify and develop 

technical assistance services that are delivered by MEP Centers to U.S. manufacturers.

• Primary focus on MEP Center services to manufacturers.

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• NIST MEP provide subject matter expertise and national/strategic guidance in key 

technical/service areas.

• Operate MEPNN Working Groups in program-wide strategic focus areas (e.g., advanced 

manufacturing technology/Industry 4.0, cybersecurity, food industry services, MATTR, 

supplier scouting, Toyota Kata).

• Identify and develop new opportunities to help U.S. manufacturers.

• Identify, develop and maintain partnerships at national, state and local levels.
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MEPNN Extension Services: Going Forward

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• Continue National Network service offerings and support in needed areas

• Evolve to emphasize new focus on supporting the needs of U.S. manufacturing in addition 

to U.S. manufacturers via the primary areas of anticipated MEP program expansion:

Expanding the base program

• Doing more of what Centers currently do for more manufacturers.

Focusing on new MEP program initiatives:

• Supply chain development

• Manufacturing technology demonstration facilities

• Workforce services

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Expanding the base 

MEP program

MEP National Network Extension Services: Going Forward

Supply Chain Development

• Develop more resilient supply chains in industries determined to be critical to U.S. 

national/economic security or public health.

• Provide MEP assistance to companies in these supply chains at all tiers to increase resilience of both 

individual companies and overall supply chains.

• Leverage MEP Supplier Scouting to increase domestic content in supply chains for 

federal procurements.

Manufacturing Technology Demonstration Facilities

• Establish and operate manufacturing technology demonstration facilities (MTDFs) around 

the nation as part of state-based manufacturing ecosystems.

• Each MTDF focused on a specific key product/technology area determined to be critical to U.S. national and 

economic security or public health.

Workforce Services

• Focus on MEP Center provision of services to recruit, retain and retrain the workforce 

needed by the U.S. manufacturing sector.

• Continue to provide traditional 

MEP Center services to 

SMMs.

• Improve/increase service 

portfolio of all Centers.

• Increase clients served 

nationally.

• Increase projects conducted 

nationally.

• Increase impacts generated by 

the MEP program.

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NIST MEP: Operational Update

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NIST Campus Locations Status

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• All NIST staff including NIST MEP staff were on mandatory telework from midMarch until early July 2020, and now on maximum telework through at least 

July 19, 2021.

• NIST phased re-opening emphasizes employee safety and focuses on 

laboratory staff having access to labs. 

• NIST staff remain on maximum telework; 90% of all staff for an extended period 

returning in later phases, with on-site access limited to 25% or less.

• NIST MEP Move Back In Committee has met monthly and 301 office 

construction has nearly concluded.
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NIST MEP Org Chart FY21

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Last Updated May 25, 2021
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Current Strategic Plan Update

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Strategic Plan Update

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• Empower Manufacturers

• Champion Manufacturers

• Leverage Partnerships

• Transform the Network
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1. Consensus Within Integrated National Network

Reach Network consensus on definition of Project and CME (client manufacturing 

establishment) interaction.

2. Center and Program Office Operational Excellence

Operationally improve reporting via measurement of on-time and accurate reporting.

3. Increased Visibility

Amplify and measure Network brand awareness by at least 10%. 

4. Increase Projects and New Clients

Increase reported projects by 10% and reported new clients by 5%.

18 Month Measures of Success 9/2019-3/2021 Progress to Date
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Four Elements Measured:

• Progress plan

• Progress data

• Success story

• Survey confirmation

Baseline (Q2 2019):

• 40 Centers reported on time with the first three 

elements.

• 24 Centers reported on time across all four elements.

Progress to Date (Q1 2021):

• 44 Centers reported on time with first three elements. 

Positive increase of 10%.

• 33 Centers reported on time across all four elements. 

Positive increase of 38%.

Measure 2: 

Center and Program Office 

Operational Excellence

Define:

Historic Program definitions of terms have been 

identified and catalogued. Currently working to 

determine path forward in light of programmatic 

growth.

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Measure 1:

Consensus Within 

Integrated National Network

• Client/project

• Client manufacturing 

establishment interaction

• Working Group of Center 

Directors established

18 Month Measures of Success — Progress to Date
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*Progress to date for Jan. 1, 2021 – March 31, 2021

Brand Measure Baseline Progress To 

Date* Goal Change

#MEPNationalNetwork Hashtag Occurrences 334 674 367 +102%

Brand Mentions 125 280 138 +124%

Manufacturing Innovation Blog Subscribers 24,920 38,555 27,412 +55%

Backlinks 104 183 114 +76%

Social Media Followers 16,240 18,248 17,864 +12%

Measure 3: Increased Visibility by Amplifying Network Brand Awareness by at Least 10%. 

18 Month Measures of Success — Progress to Date

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18 Month Measures of Success — Progress to Date

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Measure 4: Increase Projects and New Clients

Goal: Increase Projects by 10%

Outcome: Increase of 30%

Goal: Increase New Clients by 5%

Outcome: Increase of 46%
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National Network Expansion

Planning for the Future

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Manufacturing at NIST: Positioned for Growth

Manufacturing a Key Priority: Expand MEP and Manufacturing USA

• Executive Orders call for more Federal purchases to be Made in America (EO 14005) and shoring up America’s key 

supply chains (EO 14017). 

• National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 – authorizes Manufacturing USA Institute on semiconductor manufacturing, 

calls for NIST analysis of potential MEP national supply chain database.

• American Rescue Plan appropriated $150 million to NIST for Manufacturing USA Pandemic Response Projects. 

• Administration has proposed to increase FY22 MEP investment to $275 million and Manufacturing USA to $166 million.

• American Jobs Plan and the President’s Budget Request call for long-term investment increases in manufacturing at 

NIST, including $7 billion for MEP and $3 billion for Manufacturing USA. 

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MEP Program’s Planned Expansion: Why and How We Will Grow

Challenge/Need 

• U.S. manufacturing is critical to the nation’s economic recovery.

• The president has proposed historic levels of infrastructure investment.

MEP Role

• Increase capabilities to respond to manufacturing needs (EO 14017). 

• Identify initiatives for recruiting and retaining workers.

• Initiate a national supply chain initiative (EO 14005). 

• Create Manufacturing Technology Demonstration Facilities.

Impact

• More manufacturers will receive 

critical assistance.

• MEP Centers can provide 

expanded services.

• MEP will lead the way to 

building a new manufacturing 

ecosystem.

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Increase Core Funding to MEP Centers at Least 

25%

Challenge/Need 

• MEP Centers lack resources to serve all the needs of all manufacturers. 

• Proposed infrastructure investment demands greater U.S. manufacturing.

MEP Role

• Provide direct support that better enables manufacturers. 

• Enable MEP Centers to deliver more diverse and comprehensive services.

• More effectively partner with and leverage other key stakeholders.

Impact

• MEP Centers will provide services to 

at least 25% more manufacturers.

• More materials and products will be 

made in the U.S. 

• U.S. manufacturing economy will be 

stronger and more resilient.

With 30+ years serving small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs), MEP is positioned to unlock the economic potential of manufacturing. 35

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MEP National Workforce Development Initiative

Challenge/Need 

• As many as 2.1 million manufacturing jobs will be unfilled through 2030.

• U.S. could have more than 2.1 million unfilled without strong action.

• Worker shortage could cost the U.S. economy up to $1 trillion by 2030.

• Systems and resources that can support manufacturers are often not connected.

• Unemployed and under-employed workers can help grow the industry.

• Recruiting this untapped talent pool requires addressing systemic barriers.

MEP Role

• MEP Centers will help manufacturers attract a new workforce to manufacturing.

• MEP Centers will upskill the workforce – focus on women and underrepresented groups. 

Impact

• Increase in manufacturers 

with upskilling programs.

• Increase manufacturing 

companies on “Best Places 

to Work” list.

• Increase women and people 

of color in manufacturing 

jobs.

1. 2021 study published by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute.

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MEP National Supply Chain Initiative

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Challenge/Need 

• Pandemic emphasized U.S. dependence on global supply chains for goods. 

• Significant U.S. domestic manufacturing base gaps exist.

MEP Role

• Partner with federal agencies and private top-of-supply chain entities to identify 

supply chain gaps.

• Expand MEP National Supplier Scouting.

• Assist individual U.S. manufacturers to become more resilient.

Impact

• Key products and critical technologies (EO 

14017) will be more effectively and 

comprehensively sourced domestically.

• U.S. supply chains will be more resilient:

ü More robust domestic supply 

strategies.

ü More visibility into lower tiers. 

ü Increased diversification of 

manufacturers’ customers and 

markets.

ü Improved risk management. 

ü Improved manufacturer 

operational agility.

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MEP Manufacturing Technology Demonstration Facilities

Challenge/Need 

• U.S. Manufacturing: 11.4% U.S. economic output, employing >8.5% of the workforce.[1]

• Nearly 99% of all U.S. manufacturing establishments <500 employees; ~91% have <100 

employees. SMMs employ ~71% of domestic manufacturing workforce.[2]

• SMM technical sophistication lags that of large companies.

• SMMs need assistance to bridge the gap between their state of practice and the state of the 

art available in supply chains. 

MEP Role

• Establish Manufacturing Technology Demonstration Facilities.

• Expand the MEP Assisted Technology and Technical Resource (MATTR) service.

Impact

• Higher technology adoption by 

SMMs for key products and 

technologies (EO 14017) such as: 

ü Industry 4.0, AI, IIoT, additive 

manufacturing

ü Advanced materials

ü Broadband technology

ü Cybersecurity

ü Semiconductors

ü Food 

ü Medical equipment / supplies

• More technically skilled workers.

• Increased SMM productivity.

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Legislative Update

Chancy Lyford, NIST MEP, Division Chief for External Affairs, 

Performance & Support

MEP Advisory Board Featured Presentation

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Congress and the Administration has kept us very busy—And THAT’S A 

GOOD THING!

Three major overall legislative initiatives among many as well as 

Executive Orders 

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1. U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA)

2. Cost Share

3. Supply Chain Database 
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Congress and the Administration has kept us very busy—And THAT’S A 

GOOD THING!

1. The Endless Frontier Act (EFA), is now the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act 

(USICA) Senate Bill—S. 1260 

• The USICA allows for a substantial increase in the NIST MEP budget authorization of $330 million.

• The president’s budget request released recently also proposes an increase of $125 million.

• These increases are indeed historic and are being negotiated at unprecedented highest levels. 

*Status of USICA as of presentation*

Within the USICA, a new Expansion Awards program allows NIST MEP to commence to issue additional funds. 

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Congress and the Administration has kept us very busy—And THAT’S A 

GOOD THING!

2. The Need for Cost Share Relief

– Centers have waived the cost share under the current statuary authority for the specialty awards and have 

historically accounted for a tiny amount of NIST MEP’s budget. 

– Allocated $50 million in CARES Act funding did not require cost share. 

– With a substantial increase for NIST MEP it is imperative that Centers be given the opportunity to scale up 

these services without the burden of match. 

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Congress and the Administration has kept us very busy—And THAT’S A 

GOOD THING!

3. A National Supply Chain Database — not just a NDAA issue

– S.849, Supply Chain Vulnerability Assessment Act of 2021

– S.869, National Manufacturing Guard Act of 2021

– H.R. 1024, Supply Chain Resiliency Act of 2021

– H.R. 1186, Supply Chain Security and Pharmaceutical Authentication Act of 2021

– S. 1556, a bill to require a report on the feasibility and benefits of establishing a supply chain center of excellence

And there are 33 others...

Including addressing the supply chain, more than 139 separate pieces of legislation have been 

introduced in the past 5 months alone!!

.

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Congress and the Administration has kept us very busy—And THAT’S A 

GOOD THING!

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Examples of just a few of the bills introduced when the bill was known as the ENDLESS FRONTIER ACT

S. 289, Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act 

S. 637, Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act 3. S. 710, Sister City Transparency Act (Blackburn, Hawley, Cramer, Tillis, Rubio, Marshall, Daines) 

S. 725, Advanced Technological Manufacturing Act (Wicker, Cantwell, Rosen)

S. 996, Improving Minority Participation and Careers in Telecommunications (IMPACT) 

S. 997, Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act 

S. 1044, National Manufacturing Advisory Council for the 21st Century Act 

S. 1106, Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2021 

S. 1161, Quantum Network Infrastructure and Workforce Development Act 

S. 1213, National Strategy to Ensure American Leadership (SEAL) Act 

S. 1240, Manufacturing USA Expansion Act of 2021 

S. 1257, AI Scholarship for Service Act 

S. 1374, Rural STEM Education Act 

S. 1395, Advancing Precision Agriculture Capabilities Act 

S. 1379, Combatting Sexual Harassment in Science 

S. 1418, Bioeconomy Research and Development Act 

S. 1563, Telecommunications Supply Chain Diversity Promotion Act 

S. 4827 (116th), Space Preservation And Conjunction Emergency Act (SPACE) Act 

S. 2800 (116th), National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act 

S. 3707 (115th), Country of Origin Labeling Online Act (COOL) Online Act 

S. 1166 (115th), Internet Exchanges and Submarine Cable Act of 2020
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MEPNN Strategic Plan Working Group 2023-2028—EXTENDED

• Committee Members

• Board Leadership

Kathay Rennels

• Board Members

Don Bockoven, Kevin Heller, Mary Isbister, Willie May, Matt Newman, Jim Wright

• Ex-Officio Support

Bernadine Hawes (immediate past-Chair)

• NIST MEP Support

Rob Ivester, Wiza Lequin, Cheryl Gendron

• 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.

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Strategic Planning the Foundation to Support

MEP Program’s Planned Expansion

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• Increase core funding to MEP Centers at least 25%

• MEP national workforce development initiative

• MEP national supply chain initiative

• MEP manufacturing technology demonstration facilities

NIST MEP seeks ongoing Advisory Board perspectives on these MEPNN 

focus areas, approaches, challenges.
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Strategic Planning Timeline

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Sept. 22, 2020

Feb. 2 & 9, 2021

Feb. 23, 2021 May-June

April 28, 2021 June 16, 2021

Discussions 

begin at the 

MAB meeting in 

September.

SPWG met 

twice.

Presented 

foundational 

information at 

the MAB 

meeting.

SPWG met and 

determined four 

focus group 

topics.

Focus 

groups 

met.

SPWG met to 

review plan for 

discussion at 

FACA meeting.
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Focus Groups

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Todays Discussion: MEP into the Future

Overarching Resilience, 1:00 – 1:30 p.m.

o David Stieren, LaDon Byars, Bernadine Hawes

Reshoring, 1:30 – 2:00 p.m.

o Rob Ivester, Don Bockoven, George Spottswood

National Supply Chain, 2 – 2:30 p.m.

o Mark Schmit, Matthew Newman, Mary Isbister

Workforce, 2:45 – 3:15 p.m.

o Mary Ann Pacelli, Jose Anaya, Mitchell Magee
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Things to think about...

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• How will we know we are successful? 

• How will we know when to pivot? 

• What are the global/national cues to monitor? 

• Who/what are our greatest leverage points? 

• How can we hold ourselves accountable? 

• How will we measure progress towards success?

How would progress towards success be reflected in the IMPACT scorecard (as is)?
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Next Steps

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Continued focus group 

meetings through the 

summer.

Next set of 18-month 

goals for the current 

strategic plan developed 

with input considered 

from MAB and other 

internal and external 

groups.

Next set of goals shared 

and continued discussion 

at the end of August 

during the MEPNN 

Update & MAB Meeting. 

Continuing to organize 

and plan for the next 

iteration of the MEPNN 

Strategic Plan 

2023-2028.
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Focus Groups: MEP into the Future

Overarching Resilience

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• Advisory Board discussion led by the following:

• LaDon Byars

• Bernadine Hawes

• David Stieren
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Reshoring

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• Advisory Board discussion led by the following:

• Don Bockoven

• George Spottswood

• Rob Ivester

Focus Groups: MEP into the Future
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National Supply Chain

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• Advisory Board discussion led by the following:

• Matthew Newman

• Mary Isbister

• Mark Schmit

Focus Groups: MEP into the Future
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Supply Chain • Mary Isbister • Matt Newman • Steve Campbell • Michael Wilson • Mark Schmit

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Consider the Elements Comprising the Manufacturing Ecosystem

• What are the top elements to enable resilient and flexible 

supply chains in areas of national importance?

• Are the elements for supply chains different from other 

priorities such as workforce, productivity, advanced 

manufacturing, etc?

• How is MEP “uniquely” positioned to address supply chain 

challenges and not be duplicative of other federal and 

state efforts?

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Workforce

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• Advisory Board discussion led by the following:

• Jose Anaya

• Mitchell Magee

• Mary Ann Pacelli

• Kathay Rennels*

*Contributing member of focus group, unable to attend 6/30/21

Focus Groups: MEP into the Future
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MEP Workforce Development

• Current state

• Apprenticeships

• Leadership development 

• Supervisory skills, communicating, etc.

• Skills training 

• Lean, specific operation, etc.

• Smart Talent 

• Recruitment, engagement, etc.

• Training within industry (TWI)

• A specific job training methodology

• MEP workforce database

Workforce Development | NIST website

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Brainstorm the Future 

• Begin with the end in mind (strategic):

– What does “workforce development” mean - especially to MEP clients?

– What roles do MEP Centers, NIST MEP or MAB play?

• Execution (tactical):

– How to keep focused - both national and MEP Centers?

– MEP scorecards and measures - how do they help or hurt? 

– How do Centers get “credit” for programs that don’t necessarily generate sales?

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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, Dave Stieren, Mark Schmit

• Deliverable

• Guidance and perspectives on the MEPNN support and development of manufacturing supply chains with 

an emphasis on defense suppliers regarding Defense Industrial Base gaps; and expertise on who should be 

brought into the discussion to provide insight on defense supplier gaps.

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NIST MEP seeks ongoing Advisory Board perspectives on these

MEPNN focus areas, approaches, challenges.

Discussion Topics for the Board Meeting

MAB Supply Chain Working Group will update the Board on relevant 

MEPNN efforts relating to supply chain development, emphasizing 

support for defense manufacturing supply chains, as well as other 

current work and plans in the broad space of supply chain development.

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MEP National Network Extension Services

Historically

• NIST MEP, MEP Centers and partners/stakeholders work together to identify and develop 

technical assistance services that are delivered by MEP Centers to U.S. manufacturers.

• Primary focus on MEP Center services to manufacturers.

Going Forward

• Continue National Network service offerings and support in needed areas.

• Evolve to emphasize new focus on supporting the needs of U.S. manufacturing in addition 

to U.S. manufacturers via the primary areas of anticipated MEP program expansion, which 

includes Supply Chain Development.

61
•

Supply Chain Development: One Primary Aspect of MEPNN Extension 

Services Going Forward

Develop more resilient supply chains in industries determined to be critical to U.S. 

national/economic security or public health.

• Provide MEP assistance to companies in these supply chains at all tiers to increase resilience of both 

individual companies and overall supply chains.

• Impact manufacturers from the bottom up; impact manufacturing from the top down.

• Improving manufacturer resilience at the individual company level is necessary to improve overall supply 

chain resilience – representing a unique opportunity for the MEP Program.

Leverage MEP Supplier Scouting to increase domestic content in supply chains for federal 

procurements.

62

62
•

Working Group Discussion

63

• Manufacturer resilience involves operating in a situationally aware state across a company’s entire 

business environment (supply chain, factory processes, customers/markets) that positions a company 

to be both responsive and proactive regarding change.

• How might MEP Centers be successful in garnering attention of reactive-only companies who aren’t 

receptive to transformational approaches?

• MEP assistance focused on improving the resilience of individual manufacturers contributes to the 

improved resilience of overall supply chains. 

• Impacts would combine bottom-up approach for manufacturers with top-down approach for 

manufacturing.

• How might this be demonstrated?

• There are key supply chains identified via Executive Order 14017 calling out semiconductors, highcapacity batteries, critical materials and pharmaceuticals. 

• In addition to these, what other supply chains might the MEP program target?
•

Executive Committee Working Group

• Committee Members

• Board Leadership

Mary Isbister

• Board Members

Mitch Magee, Pat Moulton, Matt Newman, George Spottswood

• NIST MEP Support

Rob Ivester, Cheryl Gendron, Phill Wadsworth, Wiza Lequin

• 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.

64
•

MEP Advisory Board: Center Board Outreach 

Program

65

The goal is to create a board-to-board exchange of information and 

communication that will strengthen the MEP National Network.

• Creation of subset of working group for outreach

• Coaching and mentoring to assist with efforts

• New questions developed into the summer/fall
•

MEP Advisory Board: Succession Planning for 

Membership

66

Growing list of candidates: qualifications/federal statutes/various 

demographics are reviewed by NIST MEP leadership.

• Two candidates currently in the vetting pipeline

• One or two additional candidates to be added in the fall

• Large cohort leaving in 2023 (seven members)
•

MEP Advisory Board: Loss/Gain 2021-2023

67

14

16

16

17

16

18

17

18

13

14

13

15

0

2

0

1

-1

2

-1

1

-5

1

-1

2

-5 0 5 10 15 20

Winter -2021

Spring -2021

Summer - 2021

Fall - 2021

Winter- 2022

Spring- 2022

Summer- 2022

Fall- 2022

Winter- 2023

Spring - 2023

Summer- 2023

Fall- 2023

Total Members lose/gain

Total Number of Board Members Members Added/Lost

GOAL: 15 members with members starting service and rolling off in sync each year, spring and fall
•

2020 MEP Advisory Board Report

Spread the Good News!

68

• Unprecedented year

• Share with your industry network

• On the MEP Advisory Board website

• https://www.nist.gov/mep/about-nist-mep/advisory-board/annualadvisory-board-reports
•

69

NIST MEP is here to support our National Advisory Board

Are there things we can do to better support you?
•

Future Meeting Schedule

• Aug. 31, 2021

• Virtual or Phoenix, Arizona (getting closer to clarity!)

• Mark your calendar for Aug. 30-31, 2021 

• MEP’s National Network Update Meeting plus the Board Meeting

Option to stay for the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence (FORME’s) Best Practice 

Conference through Thursday at 12:00 p.m.

70
•

71

2022 Meeting Schedule* Planning is Underway: 

Details Coming Soon

*Prospective dates (all subject to change)

MEP Advisory Board

Wed., March 9, 2022

Gaithersburg, Maryland & NIST 

Campus/prior to Hill Day

MEP Advisory Board MEP Advisory Board

Wed., June 8, 2022

Tulsa, Oklahoma – Finally!!

Sun., Sept. 18, 2022

Location TBD/Co-located with 

the MEPNN Summit 

Wed., June 8, 2022

Tulsa, Oklahoma – Finally!!
•

Thank You

72

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