MESA, Arizona – This morning, local, national and international guests gathered at the Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AzAMI) at Mesa Community College (MCC). They learned about the Institute’s increased capacity to train students, and discussed the importance and urgency of meeting the manufacturing industry’s unique, immediate and future, workforce needs. 

"We are pleased to know that the efforts of our faculty and staff are being recognized nationally,” said Dr. Shouan Pan, MCC President. “As a college we continually strive to provide our students with more than a textbook education. We work in close collaboration with business partners to offer real world applications, and appreciate knowing that our approach is making a difference in our community.”

Guest speakers included:

·       Matt Tellefsen, an MCC graduate shared his personal account of his successful journey from student to manufacturing professional 

·       John Surmay, Vice President of Supply Chain, MD Helicopters; and Tammy Liter, HR Regional Manager, Boeing Company expressed the importance of industry partnerships as a basis for successful programs

·       Mark Dobbins, Senior Vice President SUMCO Phoenix Corporation, highlighted how Arizona’s manufacturing initiatives align with national efforts led by the National Association of Manufacturers and its non-profit affiliate The Manufacturing Institute, and 

·       Jennifer McNelly, President of The Manufacturing Institute, provided insights on improving and expanding manufacturing in the United States through education, innovation, and research

AzAMI partners such as The Boeing Company and Science Foundation Arizona were at the table. They and others shared perspectives on how bolstering education and training opportunities in advanced manufacturing may strengthen our state and country’s economy.

Additionally, members New Zealand’s Wellington Institute of Technology, who are in town gathering information and adaptable practices to accelerate manufacturing and workforce development inspiration, were present to provide first-hand global perspectives.

"Manufacturing Month provides the perfect opportunity to emphasize AzAMI’s strong partnerships with workforce, industry and education because it will take a village to build tomorrow’s workforce,” said AzAMI Executive Director, Leah Palmer. “We are glad our village is expanding and that nearly 200 visitors – junior and high school students, industry leaders and educational partners -- toured our laboratories in celebration of Manufacturing Day (Oct. 3, 2014) to learn more about the Institute and the premier learning experience our current manufacturing, welding, electronics and drafting students are experiencing.” 

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Contacts
Dawn Zimmer (480) 461-7892, Dawn.Zimmer@mesacc.edu
Leah Palmer (480) 688-9801, Leah.Palmer@mesacc.edu

About Mesa Community College
Mesa Community College provides outstanding transfer and career and technical programs, workforce development, and life-long learning opportunities to residents of the East Valley area of Phoenix, Arizona. MCC excels in teaching, learning and empowering its more than 40,000 students who attend annually to succeed in a local and global community.  Mesa Community College is one of ten colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. For additional information please visit mesacc.edu.

About Mesa Community College’s AzAMI
The Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Institute, a Mesa Community College Center of Excellence, was designed to meet the growing and changing needs of the advanced manufacturing business sector. Input from advisory committees derived from partnerships with local employers provides current and relevant content for AzAMI’s classrooms and laboratories. Internships and apprenticeships offer opportunities for students to earn as they learn. AzAMI is located on MCC’s Southern and Dobson campus at 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, AZ 85202. Learn more online at mesacc.edu/azami

About Boeing
Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. A top U.S. exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in 150 countries. Boeing products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training. Additional information is available online at boeing.com

About MD Helicopters 
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), a Lynn Tilton company, is a leading manufacturer of commercial, military, law enforcement and air-rescue helicopters. The MDHI family of rotorcraft is world renowned for its value, versatility and performance. The MD Helicopters family includes the twin-engine MD Explorer, and single engine versions of the MD 600N, MD 520N, MD 500E, MD 530F, MD 530G and MD 540A. The innovative NOTAR system for anti-torque control with no tail rotor is used exclusively by MD Helicopters to provide safer, quieter and confined-area access capability. For more information about MDHI, visit mdhelicopters.com. 

About Science Foundation Arizona
Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization initiated in 2006 by the Greater Phoenix Leadership Inc., Southern Arizona Leadership Council and the Flagstaff Forty in conjunction with the executive and legislative branches of state government. SFAz serves as a catalyst for high-wage, knowledge-based jobs and economic diversity through administration and strict oversight of research, development and education grants to public education and other non-profit research performing institutions. For more information, visit sfaz.org.

About SUMCO Corporation
SUMCO Corporation (SUMCO) is an international leader in the production of ultra-pure, defect- free, single crystal silicon wafers for the global semiconductor industry. SUMCO provides state- of-the-art products, high-tech solutions and technologies to customers worldwide, and offers the broadest technology base in the wafer industry. SUMCO operates 11 manufacturing facilities located in Asia and the United States. Please visit sumcousa.com for additional information. 

About The Manufacturing Institute 
The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a non-partisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation’s manufacturers. The Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification and development of world-class manufacturing talent. For more information, please visit themanufacturinginstitute.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an 
equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.