Diversity and Achievements: The Role of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership in the Midwest

Organized in cooperation with

MAGNET, the University of Akron, The Timken Company, and

Ohio MEP Center

 Agenda

26 March 2012

The University of Akron

National Polymer Innovation Center

Akron, Ohio

 9:00AM           Welcome

Philip Shapira, University of Manchester and Georgia Institute of Technology

9:15AM           Panel I: The MEP Model and Its Applications: A Review of Goals, Structure, Funding, and Achievements

Moderator: Ned Hill, Dean of the College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University

The MAGNET Model: How to make it more effective

Daniel Berry, President and CEO, MAGNET

The Purdue Model

Dave McKinnis, Director, Technical Assistance Program, Purdue University

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center Model 

Eric Esoda, Executive Director, Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center

10:00AM         Q&A for Panel I

10:45AM         Coffee Break

11:00AM         Panel II: The User Perspective: Views from MEP Clients

                        Moderator: Ed Breiner, President & CEO, Schramm

                        Jim Garrett, President & CEO, Vadxx Energy

                        Fred Braun, Senior Staff Engineer, Honda of America Manufacturing

                        Bob Lawson, Consultant

11:45AM         Q&A for Panel II

12:30PM         Lunch

1:00PM           Luncheon Keynote

                        Mark Kvamme, President, JobsOhio

2:00PM           Panel III: Economic Development Networks: The Role of MEP and Its Partners

Moderator: Joe Roman – Greater Cleveland Partnership

                       MEP in the Context of State Development Strategies

                        Christiane Schmenk, Director, Ohio Department of Development

                        MEP and Economic Development Agencies

                        Rebecca Bagley, President & CEO, NorTech

                        Linking MEP, Universities, and SMEs

                        Luis Proenza, President & CEO, The University of Akron

                        The Firm Perspective: Utilizing Partnerships and Programs

Peter Broer, President, Lumitex

3:00PM           Q&A for Panel III

3:45PM           Coffee Break

4:00PM           Roundtable:  Open Discussion: How Should MEP Evolve?  How Can MEP Improve?

                        Moderator: Dr. Paul Wright, Director – CITRIS, UC Berkeley*

                        Gary Conley, President, TechSolve

                        Dave McKinnis, Director, Technical Assistance Program, Purdue University

                        Jim Griffith, President & CEO, The Timken Company

5:00PM           Adjourn to Reception