NC State University College of Engineering Extension Unit Announces the Assembly of the 2022-2023 Industry Advisory Council
Raleigh, North Carolina – June 2022 – The 2022-2023 Industry Advisory Council has officially been assembled by the Executive Director of NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP), Phil Mintz. The Council’s purpose is to advise and assist IES and the associated NCMEP management team in advancing the industrial extension mission to provide assessments, technical assistance and training for North Carolina businesses to improve their competitiveness and increase the economic development of North Carolina. The term of office of each member of the Council is three years.
The 2022-2023 Industry Advisory Council members include: Chairman, John Chaffee of Transworld Business Advisors, Jerry Pedley of Mertek Solutions, Inc., David Catt of Hitachi Astemo, Byron Murphy of Package Craft, Inc., Michael Marlowe of Mission Critical Global Alliance, James Freeman of Emerging Technology Institute, Katie Chung of Southland Electrical Supply, Kyle Martin (Retiring Plant Manager) and Jim Ellis of Electroswitch Electronic Products Inc., Tom White of the NC State University Economic Development Partnership, Jenni Harris of the North Carolina Department of Commerce-Division of Workforce Solutions, and Josh Ward of Longleaf Strategic Partners.
“We have another diverse group of stellar individuals from across North Carolina serving on the IES Industry Advisory Council this year and I’m truly honored to serve as the chairperson,” says Chaffee, the chairman of the council. “Their interest in the activities of IES was evident at our first meeting of the year when we had very engaging conversations on a number of topics such as: planning a better networking strategy regarding how to elevate the conversation about NCMEP, reviewing of fund mechanisms to support IES and NCMEP, reviewing progress reports on ongoing programs, identifying potential new board members in different geographic locations in the state in an effort to create a more diverse and representative council where all voices are heard.”
When asked why he is passionate about being the chairman of the council, Chaffee replied, “The services provided not only to North Carolina manufacturers but to other key economic sectors like healthcare and logistics are powerful elements of multiple resources needed to develop a stronger state economy. I am constantly referring my customers to IES staff members that find value in their services.”
About NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES)
Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) is the industrial extension service for the NC State University College of Engineering. IES managers and subject matter experts live and serve in communities in every region of North Carolina.
IES helps North Carolina businesses:
- Manufacturers
- Educational and research institutions
- Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies
- Aeronautics and energy industries
- Government and public sectors
- Defense entrepreneurs and contractors
IES provides:
- Access to industry experts
- Referrals and networking
- Technical assistance
- Business assessments
- Business assessments
- Training and education
- Innovative technologies
IES administers the National Institute of Science and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP) for North Carolina (NCMEP), the Southeastern OSHA Training Institute Education Center, the North Carolina Defense Industry Diversification Initiative (NCDIDI), the North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (NC DMCSP), the NC State University Minerals Research Lab, North Carolina Awards for Excellence (NCAfE), and the Manufactured in North Carolina (MNC) supply chain database and website.
