Mitch Poteat is the regional manager serving the Research Triangle region of North Carolina for NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES). IES is the Industrial Extension Service for the NC State University College of Engineering. Mitch is responsible for Durham, Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, and Warren counties.
Mitch works with manufacturers, businesses, community colleges, local economic developers, workforce development boards and local government to promote economic development and process efficiencies and provide access to industry experts and resources.
He provides competitiveness assessments and assists companies in their journey toward ISO 9001, AS 9100, IATF 16949, ISO 13485, and ISO 14001 certification; assists in implementing continuous improvement programs; helps build a business around the Baldrige or Shingo program; maintains safety standards; guides business in adhering to OSHA requirements and enhances market development and technology advancement to grow North Carolina businesses. Mitch’s passion is to help companies in his region become more efficient and profitable.
Mitch says his proudest moment working for IES was the One Billion for North Carolina (1B4NC) drive where the goal was to deliver $1 billion in economic impact to the state within 5 years. “We achieved it in four,” Mitch says proudly. “ When we reached the goal a year early, we had this huge week-long celebration. We had a trailer that was a traveling museum and we went around the state. For the final celebration, we went to Carter-Finley Stadium and had a parade downtown.”
But that isn’t the only moment he’s proud of. When the pandemic began, Mitch was proud of IES’ swift response to the needs of industries in North Carolina. “Another moment I am proud of is during the summer of 2020.” Mitch continued, “The way the team worked together to find PPE manufacturers and suppliers for organizations across the state like the North Carolina Hospital Association and the Department of Emergency Management was amazing. Some days it was really trying but it was really rewarding knowing we were helping.”
When Mitch isn’t working hard to support industries in North Carolina, he enjoys keeping up with his daughter by participating in Irish Dance lessons and volleyball.
Contact him at mitch_poteat@ncsu.edu or 919-607-0684 for more information on how IES can help you.
