About us
AMIP is a registered nonprofit focused on workforce. AMIP leverages our organization’s strengths to best serve the manufacturers in the Greater Cincinnati Region, including northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana. AMIP benefits manufacturers and community with expert advice, resources, workforce, and funding. AMIP creates uncommon success.
Our partner network includes manufacturers, service providers, economic development organizations, universities and community colleges, government agencies and more.
AMIP is a registered 501c3 under IRS charitable organization code.
Our mission is to provide for the continuous talent pipeline and workforce development in manufacturing.
Mission
Our Team
Susan Whitman
Executive Director
Joe Sack
Grants Project Manager
Rachel Farnsworth
Education Coordinator
AMIP 2024 Board of Directors
Susan Whitman | President & Executive Director
Susan Whitman utilizes her background and fervor for bolstering the region’s skilled workforce pipeline in manufacturing. Her dedication further amplifies AMIP’s mission to expose both students and adults to advanced manufacturing opportunities while fostering collaboration among businesses, educators, and community-based organizations to attract and retain skilled workers. Her involvement spans crucial projects such as the Good Jobs Challenge, organizing Members Quarterly Meetings and Workshops, Manufacturing Month tours, Teacher Externships, and spearheading additional training initiatives for workforce development and economic support in manufacturing career pathways. A Cincinnati native, Susan holds an MBA from Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s in Marketing from Miami University.
Elected for a 2-year term through 2025
Amy Meyer, M.ED | Chair
Amy Meyer boasts over 25 years of multifaceted expertise in HR, workforce development, and marketing across diverse industries. As the Founder of Meyer Consulting Services, she has cultivated a legacy in steering organizational success. Presently, she chairs the Board at AMIP, propelling workforce development in advanced manufacturing. Amy’s leadership was instrumental in establishing AMIP as a recognized force under the Ohio Manufacturers Association. With a history of pivotal roles at companies like Rhinestahl Corporation and Cincinnati Bell, she’s honed her skills in driving cultural transformations and spearheading strategic plans for global growth. Amy’s academic prowess, coupled with her innate leadership, fuels her commitment to developing future-proof leaders grounded in integrity and strategic agility.
Elected for a 2-year term through 2025
Molly, a Second-Generation Shareholder and Human Resources Executive at Monti Inc., thrives on cultivating engagement and fostering organizational scalability. Her passion lies in dynamic settings where innovation and growth are ongoing pursuits. As a leader, Molly excels in consulting, guiding, and coaching leaders across all levels, nurturing a positive and productive work environment. Her dedication to people, excellence, and tangible outcomes drives her to achieve the seemingly impossible every day. Expressing a strong desire to continue serving on the AMIP Board of Directors, Molly emphasizes the importance of collaboration among manufacturers. She advocates for partnerships with academic institutions and community organizations to strengthen the manufacturing sector and cultivate a pool of skilled candidates, essential for addressing the industry’s labor gap.
Elected for a 3-year term through 2026
Molly Fender | Vice-Chair
Chris Leedy | Secretary
Chris Leedy has 35+ years of experience in the specialty chemical industry, primarily in manufacturing and engineering. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, he is currently the Vice President of Business Services for Pilot Chemical and serves as the Board Secretary for AMIP. In 2013, Chris recognized the emerging concerns with workforce pipeline and development for the manufacturing industry and co-organized a regional team of leaders from chemical and food manufacturers, the EACC, and Cincinnati State to build a chemical operator certificate program to train current and future workforce. In 2017, he joined AMIP and has been one of the core leaders guiding our strategy, establishing our business incorporation and 501c3 non-profit status, and strengthening our partnership with the Ohio Manufacturers Association to bring long-term solutions for filling the workforce gap in Ohio. Chris is honored to continue serving on the AMIP Board and progress this important work that will strengthen manufacturing across our entire region.
Elected for a 2-year term through 2025
James Sidertis
James Siderits has more than 30 years’ managerial experience in industrial and consumer markets directing marketing communications, emerging business development and project management of strategic business initiatives for global manufacturing companies. Over those three decades, James has extensive experience working in director and executive management roles of diverse manufacturing companies. He is presently one of the owners of Blue Ash Tool & Die, started by his father Otto almost 60 years ago. BATD primarily supports the aerospace industry along with the Department of Defense. James has been a champion of manufacturing talent development for many years, working closely with regional vocational schools such as the Great Oaks Career Campuses, Butler Tech and organizations such as TechSolve. James is also on the board of directors for HAECO Inc., an adhesive equipment manufacturer located in Loveland. His son Joshua, a Live Oaks Career Campus alumnus, pursues Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University.
Elected for a 3-year term through 2026
Will Healy III
Will Healy III, a Cincinnati resident for over 18 years, passionately champions manufacturing, human-centric technology, and workforce development. Actively engaged in the tri-state manufacturing community for over a decade, he led early Manufacturing Day events at Balluff Inc. and advises multiple Mechatronics programs. Joining AMIP in 2019, he spearheaded its marketing efforts and, in 2022, officially became a board member. As a Purdue University mechanical engineer turned global leader at Universal Robots, Will leverages his expertise in team management, automation, and cultural change to advocate for local initiatives like AMIP, believing they hold the key to bridging the skills gap and fostering value through automation. With 20+ years of diverse manufacturing experience across various industries, he’s a prolific content creator and speaker, spreading awareness of Cincinnati’s manufacturing prowess internationally through publications, podcasts, keynote speeches, and industry conferences.
Elected for a 3-year term through 2026