AMIP Leaders Recognized at Ohio Manufacturers' Association Workforce Summit

From left to right: Susan Whitman, AMIP President & ED; Amy Meyer, AMIP Board Chair; Joe Sack, AMIP Grants Project Manager; Rachel Farnsworth, AMIP Education Manager; Todd Wisner, Pilot Chemical Plant Manager; Will Healy III, AMIP Board Member

CINCINNATI, OH - Leaders in manufacturing, education, and workforce joined together on November 14th, 2024 for a unifying summit coordinated by the Ohio Manufacturers' Association (OMA). Thursday marked the seventh annual convening of the OMA Workforce Summit, and three Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership (AMIP) leaders played a key role in the success of the event.

AMIP Executive Director and President Susan Whitman spoke on the panel "Youth Outreach and Engagement Strategies." Joined by Houck Agency president Jim Houck, Ohio Gratings' CBO Shaun Eller, and Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition's Alex Hertzer, Whitman shared advice and best practices on engaging young people in manufacturing career awareness. AMIP reaches K-12 students through manufacturing tours, Scouting America events, and Educator Externships which make every educator an expert on manufacturing careers. “Youth are the future makers for our manufacturing members," shared Whitman. "AMIP and OMA are creating awareness of manufacturing careers that offer rewarding livelihoods without the burden of college debt. At the OMA Summit, we showcased AMIP’s initiatives in youth career training, Scouts and school manufacturing tours, educator externships, and the launch of our public-facing website, MakeitCincy.org."

Later, AMIP Board Member and Universal Robots representative Will Healy III delivered a plenary address titled "Ohio Manufacturers' Secret Weapon: Collaboration." Sporting a bright blue Make It Cincy hat, Healy impressed on the audience that the only way for manufacturers, educators, and workforce professionals to reach the lofty goals we have for Ohio's manufacturing workforce is to band together. Meredith Reffey of American Honda Motor Co. and Ryan Day of Hynes Industries, Inc. then joined Healy on stage for an impassioned discussion on collaboration. All stressed the importance of manufacturers creating opportunities for educators to encounter manufacturing careers, and for educators to seize those opportunities fearlessly.

At the conclusion of this energetic convening, AMIP Board Chair Amy Meyer was honored with the Dan French Legacy Award. Meyer is the second to receive this high honor, with the first awardee being Dan French himself. The OMA writes that this award serves to recognize "individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service and leadership on behalf of Ohio’s manufacturing community," a descriptor that fits Meyer perfectly. Meyer has been a driving force for AMIP since its inception 14 years ago, and has over 25 years of experience in workforce development, HR, and marketing. Her skills in cultural transformation and natural penchant for leadership have driven manufacturing companies like Rhinestahl Corporation and Cincinnati Bell to higher and higher levels of success. "The greatest thing about manufacturing is, we do collaborate, and we say yes to each other," Meyer shared in her acceptance speech. "Saying yes works, and it's our legacy to make this pipeline of workforce great in the state of Ohio."

AMIP President & ED Susan Whitman speaks on Youth Outreach and Engagement Strategies

AMIP Board Member Will Healy III delivers plenary address on importance of collaboration

AMIP Board Chair Amy Meyer accepts the OMA Dan French Legacy Award

Between addresses, panels, and awards, the AMIP team ensured that southwest Ohio was strongly represented on a state-wide stage at the OMA Workforce Summit. To learn more about AMIP and manufacturing workforce initiatives in the greater Cincinnati region, visit advmfgip.org. For media releases and questions, contact AMIP Education Manager Rachel Farnsworth: rachel.farnsworth@advmfgip.org.