Sector Initiative Membership

M-Powered Manufacturing Program Advisory Board Members and Partners, Minnesota

M-Powered is a consortium of community champions, industry leaders, training partners, strategically collaborating to create a fast-track training solution for low income populations and incumbent workers to build a globally competitive workforce in the Minnesota manufacturing industry. Together, we recruit, train, and employ workers in metal-stamping/sheet metal fabrication, welding and machining/CNC operation. M-Powered provides workers with an opportunity to learn and earn. M-Powered provides employers with an opportunity to teach and reach out to skilled workers, and build competitiveness and industry vitality.

Industry Advisors

• Elizabeth Abraham, CEO Top Tool
• Erick Ajax, Vice President E.J. Ajax & Sons, Inc.
• Tamra Anderson, Human Resources/Safety Director Morrissey, Inc
• Aaron Bracht, Stampings and Assemblies Manager Bermo, Inc.
• Deborah Cooper, President Rotation Engineering & Manufacturing
• Lisa Kowalski, Human Resources Manager, Meier Tool & Engineering
• Jan Meier, Owner, Meier Tool & Engineering
• Lisa Marie Rambol, Human Resources Manager, Greatbatch/Globe Tools
• Jeff Strydio, Human Resources Generalist Greatbatch/Globe Tool
• Julie Schuette, Human Resources, Thomas Engineering Company
• Greg Noel, Manager of Operations, Perbix Machines
• Sandra Reitsma, Director of Human Resources, Thomas Engineering Company
• Jeff Witz, Plant Manager, Marshall Manufacturing
• Precision Metalforming Association, National Institute of Metalforming Skills

Advocacy Organization partner:

• Carrie Thomas, Policy Director, Jobs Now Coalition

Workforce and Education Organization partners:

• Nancy James, Andrea Johnson, and Judy Swanson, HIRED, a workforce organization serving Minneapolis/St.Paul
• Marcia Bay, ISEEK (Minnesota’s Internet System for Employment and Education Knowledge)
• Hennepin/Carver Workforce Investment Board, Hennepin, MN
• Adult Basic Education, Robbinsdale, MN

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) partners:

• Mike Schaitberger, Diane Knutson, Debra Bultnick

Hennepin Technical College Representatives:

• Joe Fredkove, Customized Training Services
• Rich Kelly, Customized Training Services
• Kathie Montognese, Assessment Coordinator
• Larry Selin, Dean of Manufacturing

Other Partners

• Minnesota Department of Corrections