MEP Advisory Board Meeting

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

part 2 - afternoon
MEP Overview

Welcome Back

1:30 – 1:35 p.m. Welcome Back/Afternoon Overview

1:35 – 1:55 p.m. Working Group Update:

• Supply Chain Development Working Group

• Board Feedback & Discussion

1:55 – 2:45 p.m. Presentation

• U.S. Defense Industrial Base, E. Chewning, DOD

• Board Feedback & Discussion

2:45 – 3:00 p.m. Break

3:00 – 3:20 p.m. Working Group Update:

• Performance/Research Development Working Group

• Board Feedback & Discussion

3:20 – 4:00 p.m. Board Governance & Board Assessment Discussion:

• Executive Committee Working Group

• Board Structures within the MEP Network

• BoardSource Review – Assessment Process, L. Stewart, Eisner 

Amper

4:00 – 4:30 p.m. Wrap-up/Public Comments

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Switch
MEP Overview

U.S. Department of Defense – Defense Industrial Base

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Eric D. Chewning 

U.S. Department of Defense

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301)975-5020 4

Supply Chain Development Working Group

• Committee Members

• Board Leadership

• Matthew Newman

• Board Members

• LaDon Byars, Bernadine Hawes, Mary Isbister, Chris Weiser, Jeff 

Wilcox

• NIST MEP Support

• Dave Stieren, Phil Singerman, Mark Schmit

• Deliverable

Guidance and perspectives on the MEP National Network 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.
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301)975-5020

Discussion Topics for the Board

5

NIST MEP is seeking Board perspectives 

on the MEP priorities for 2018 that focus 

on supporting the DoD Industrial Base:

• Cybersecurity for Manufacturing

• Embedding MEP in Manufacturing USA 

Institutes

REALIZING THAT 

The MEP National Network has decades of extensive experience in 

Supply Chain Development, including routinely supporting Defense 

Manufacturing Supply Chains 
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301)975-5020

DOD Manufacturing Supply Chain Support

6

MEP National Network Cybersecurity For Defense Industrial Base

• Providing assistance to defense manufacturers to comply with DFARS Cybersecurity 

requirement for manufacturing supply chains – clause 252.204-7012

• Ensure adequate security to protect controlled unclassified information (CUI) in defense manufacturing 

supply chains by implementing security requirements in NIST Special Pub 800-171 rev 1, “Protecting 

Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Information Systems and Organizations.” 

• Low initial compliance, especially among lower tiers of defense manufacturing supply chains

• NIST MEP-funded CAP Cybersecurity Project, MEP National Network Cybersecurity WG leading 

national effort to develop replicable Cybersecurity assistance practice that MEP Centers can 

deploy to small U.S. manufacturers on nationwide basis

• NIST Handbook 162, NIST MEP Cybersecurity Self-Assessment Handbook

• Published by NIST MEP to assist small manufacturers with NIST SP 800-171 implementation and 

DFARS compliance

• MEP National Network will continue to support aspects of DoD industrial base assessment 

relating to Cybersecurity for Manufacturing
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301)975-5020

DOD Manufacturing Supply Chain Support

7

Embedding MEP into Manufacturing USA Institutes Projects

Regenerative 

Manufacturing

Manchester, NH

Advanced Fibers 

and Textiles

Cambridge MA

Digital 

Manufacturing & 

Design

Chicago, IL

Sustainable 

Manufacturing

Rochester, NY

Integrated 

Photonics

Albany, NY

Modular Chemical 

Process 

Intensification

New York, NY

Bio-pharmaceutical 

Manufacturing

Newark, DE

Wide Bandgap 

Semiconductors

Raleigh, NC

Advanced 

Robotics

Pittsburgh, PA

Advanced 

Composites 

Knoxville, TN

Additive 

Manufacturing

Youngstown, OH

Lightweight 

Metals

Detroit, MI

Smart Sensors 

and Digital 

Process Control

Los Angeles, CA

Flexible Hybrid 

Electronics

San Jose, CA

DoD-sponsored 

Mfg. USA Institutes
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301)975-5020

DOD Manufacturing Supply Chain Support

8

Embedding MEP into Manufacturing USA Institutes Projects

• Create approaches to engage small manufacturers in technology focus areas of Mfg USA 

Institutes via hands-on assistance mechanisms and services offered by MEP Centers

• Develop and test business models by which small U.S. manufacturers can be served in 

Institute technology areas – business models that are viable to the small manufacturers, 

to the MEP Centers, and to the Institutes

• Develop expert national resources within the MEP National Network in the Institute 

technical focus areas

...and doing this will

• Transfer technology from Institutes to small U.S. manufacturers

• Facilitate knowledge, best practice sharing among Institutes and MEP Centers

• Cultivate enhanced nationwide network of partnerships among Institutes and MEP 

Centers for benefit of small U.S. manufacturers
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301)975-5020

Discussion Topics for the Board

9

NIST MEP is seeking Board perspectives 

on the MEP priorities for 2018 that focus 

on supporting the DoD Industrial Base:

• Cybersecurity for Manufacturing

• Embedding MEP in Manufacturing USA 

Institutes

REALIZING THAT 

The MEP National Network has decades of extensive experience in 

Supply Chain Development, including routinely supporting Defense 

Manufacturing Supply Chains 
MEP Overview

Performance & Research Development Working Group

• Committee Members

– Board Leadership

• Leslie Taito

– Board Members

• Jose Anaya, Carolyn Cason, Joe Eddy, Kathay Rennels, Jim Wright, 

Bernadine Hawes, Jeff Wilcox 

– NIST MEP Support

• Ken Voytek, Chancy Lyford

• Deliverable

Input and guidance on the management portfolio and Program performance 

measurement processes of the MEP National Network. In addition, the Working 

Group will provide feedback and suggestions for establishing a research agenda 

that will support and enrich NIST MEP’s performance and evaluation management 

system through improved Center evaluation processes, the promotion of system 

learning and by enhancing the portfolio of network information services for Centers.

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MEP Overview

Updated Performance-based Panel Review

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Panel Review Objectives:

• Assess

• Data provided and the extent it accurately reflects the work being done (Center)

• Data and measures that can best reflect the services, impacts, and operations of a Center (MEP)

• Learn

• Effectiveness and benchmarking for reaching clients, generating impacts, and remaining sustainable (Center)

• Metrics and practices that are most transferable across the network (MEP)

• Implement

• Strategies and activities to build upon strengths, and address challenges (Center)

• To inform NIST MEP in its support of the Centers and to communicate findings and best practices across the 

Network (MEP)

Panel Review Structure:

• Panel Chair (NIST MEP Staff)

• Panel: 

• 3 MEP Center Directors

• Opportunities for other senior level Center staff to 

observe = future panelist

• Regional Manager (Program Resource)

• Federal Program Officer (Program Resource)
MEP Overview

Seeking Board input and guidance:

• What factors are most important in explaining Center 

performance variation across the National Network?

• How can we improve Network efficiency and effectiveness 

with limited resources?

• Would it be worth the Program’s investment to engage 

outside resources to capture lessons learned from 

Center’s new initiative engagements; perhaps developing 

a manufacturing research agenda? 

• How can we accurately capture multi-center delivery of 

client impacts to ensure proactive collaboration by 

Centers involved and not be a roadblock to collaboration?

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Discussion Topics for the Board

With uneven Center performance across the Network; the number of clients and projects 

relatively flat; new initiatives taking shape and the creation of an integrated National 

Network, 
MEP Overview

Executive Committee Working Group Members

• Board Leadership

• Jeffery Wilcox, Chair of MEP Advisory Board

• Bernadine Hawes, Vice-Chair of MEP Advisory Board

• Board Members

• Carolyn Cason

• Mitch Magee

• George Spottswood

• NIST MEP Support

• Carroll Thomas, NIST MEP Director

• Cheryl Gendron, Event and Board Specialist

• Gary Thompson, Wiza Lequin – Center Board Focus

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Board Governance
MEP Overview

Executive Committee Working Group Deliverables 

• Guidance on future Advisory Board leadership and insights from the 

Board Assessment; Board membership; Board role in regards to 

MEP Center Boards

• Governing Documents

• Statute

• Charter

• Bylaws

• Succession

• Diversity

• Leadership Roles

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Board Governance

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA
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Board Governance

2018 MEP Advisory Board

Mr. Jeff Wilcox, Chair - MD (2nd term – May 2019)

Ms. Bernadine Hawes, Vice Chair - PA (2nd term – May 2020)

Members

Mr. Jose Anaya, CA (1st term – July 2020) Mr. Matthew Newman, OK (1st term – March 2020)

Ms. LaDon Byars, TN (1st term – February 2020) Ms. Kathay Rennels, CO (1st term – March 2019)

Dr. Carolyn Cason, PhD, TX (2nd term – May 2020) Mr. George Spottswood, AL (1st term – May 2020)

Mr. Joe Eddy, WV (1st term – March 2020) Ms. Leslie Taito, RI (1st term – July 2020)

Ms. Mary Isbister, WI (1st term – March 2020) Mr. Chris Weiser, AR (1st term – March 2020)

Mr. Mitch Magee, DE (1st term – March 2020) Mr. Jim Wright, MT (1st term – March 2020)

Next Board Member Rolling Off – May 2019, Chair of the Board
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301)975-5020 16

Bylaw Modifications/Additions: Board Succession and Composition

• Statute Requirements: 1 Community College, 2 Center Board 

Members, 5 Small Manufacturers

Discussion Topics for the Board

• Add other categories to the Bylaws?

• Categories for Board leadership specific

• Chair and Vice Chair
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301)975-5020 17

Board Governance

Board Structures within the MEP Network

Dave Cranmer, NIST MEP, Deputy Executive Director
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301)975-5020 18

Board Governance

BoardSource Review – Assessment Process

Lisë Stewart, Eisner Amper
19

Board Training and 

Survey Discussion

Lisë Stewart – Facilitator 

EisnerAmper LLP
20

• Review results of the Board Source Survey

•Identify key trends for discussion 

•Discuss recommendations

Today’s Purpose
21

• Participation statistics for 17 centers: 235 surveys distributed / 

206 surveys completed / 88.7% response rate 

• The scores are based on this answer scale: 0 = Poor; 1 = Fair; 

2 = OK; 3 = Good; 4 = Excellent 

BoardSource Survey Results
22

High Level Results – 4 Areas of Board 

Responsibility

This is an example of what each center board saw when they received their 

results. These are not actual or aggregated numbers.
23

Average Scores in Each Area Across the 

Country

Board Responsibilities Average

A Set Direction 2.96

1 Mission 3.04

2 Strategy 2.92

B Ensure Resources 2.76

3 Funding and Public Image 2.83

4 Board Composition 2.79

C Provide Oversight 3.06

5 Program Oversight 2.96

6 Financial Oversight 3.13

7 Chief Executive Oversight 3.13

D Board Structure and Operations 3.05

8 Board Structure 2.90

9 Meetings 3.28
24

What is working 

well: 

The 3 areas with 

highest average and 

median scores
25

What is working? –

Board Meetings 3.28
26

What is working? –

Chief Executive Oversight 3.13
27

What is working? –

Financial Oversight 3.13
28

The 3 areas with 

lowest average 

and median scores

• The 3 areas with lowest average 

and median scores

Key Areas for Improvement
29

What needs improvement? –

Board Composition 2.79
30

What needs improvement? – Funding and 

Public Image 2.83
31

What needs improvement? –

Board Structure 2.90
32

Observations 

• These are trends 

observed in both 

the survey results 

and during 

training and action 

planning with the 

various Center 

Boards. 
33

Doing a better job...

• How can board members be 

better external advocates? 

What does this mean and 

what does it entail?

• Want to understand the 

needs of manufacturers –

trends, global changes, 

technology and specific 

challenges. 

• Need to better understand 

the programs and services 

and what projects both entail 

and achieve. 

• Need to understand 

expectations in regard to 

securing funding. 
34

Being a better board...

• Need more attention paid to 

orientation and on-going 

development. 

• Would like to be more 

knowledgeable and involved 

in Strategic Planning. 

• Need to improve the level of 

engagement of ALL board 

members, including 

managing expectations. 

• Need to undertake more selfevaluation and review. 
35

Being a better resource... 

• Need to understand role in 

regard to providing 

performance feedback to the 

Center Director/CEO. 

• Need to play an active role in 

raising the profile, brand 

image of the Center. 

• Need more diversity on the 

board, to bring a wider 

perspective and experience. 

• Need to ensure that boards 

are paying attention to BOTH 

the financial management of 

the program AND the 

strategic needs, while 

avoiding operational issues. 
36

• What are the most 

powerful leverage 

points?

Recommendations
37

• Continue to support the orientation process, provide opportunities 

for new board members to learn about the program and about 

other centers. 

• Provide examples of effective materials for orientation, selfevaluation, meeting management and other best practices. 

Recommendations

• Encourage Centers to provide more opportunities for staff 

(internal and field staff) to engage with the boards. 

• Explore ways to provide board members with research, 

access to subject matter experts and shared institutional 

knowledge to inform strategy development and support 

the Learning Organization concept. 
38

This publication is intended to provide general information to our clients and friends. It does not constitute accounting, 

tax, or legal advice; nor is it intended to convey a thorough treatment of the subject matter.

Lisë Stewart 

Director, Center for Family Business 

Excellence

EisnerAmper LLP

www.eisneramper.com 

208.867.6251 

Lise.Stewart@eisneramper.com
MEP Overview

American Innovation & Competitiveness Act (AICA): 

Required report and what is the GAO 

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301)975-5020 39

• AICA requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to produce a report in 

consultation with the MEP Advisory Board:

– analyzing cost share effectiveness, engagement in services/characteristics including volume 

and type of services 

– whether cost-share ratio change effects services provided by Centers 

– GAO to deliver report to Congress no later than January 6, 2019

• What is the GAO

– GAO is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress 

– Often referred to as “the congressional watchdog”

– GAO investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars

• When you will be contacted and what to expect
MEP Overview

Future Meeting Schedule

2018

• June 13, 2018 – Arlington, TX

– Includes tour of the University of Texas - Arlington’s Campus and Lockheed 

Martin Aeronautics Facility

• September 12, 2018 – TBD*

– Co-located with MEP National Network Update & Foundation for Manufacturing 

Excellence (FORME’s) Best Practice Conference

2019 (dates subject to change)

• February 26, 2019 – Location TBD*

• June 18, 2019 – Location TBD*

• September 11, 2019 – Possible Post-Summit*

*Calendar invites sent once confirmed

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MEP Overview

Thank You

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