10 Year Celebration Event

The day commenced with the special session Ohio TechNet FlexFactor Community of Practice. This pre-event gathering brought together educators, workforce professionals, and industry partners to discuss strategies for expanding the FlexFactor program—a K-12 initiative designed to engage students in advanced manufacturing and entrepreneurship. The session emphasized the importance of early exposure to STEM careers and the role of collaborative partnerships in scaling such programs statewide.

The main event officially opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Marcia Ballinger, President of Lorain County Community College, and Dr. Dan Gamota, Executive Director of NextFlex.

They highlighted Ohio’s leadership in advanced manufacturing and the critical role of innovation and collaboration in strengthening the defense industrial base.

Following the opening, a panel discussion titled “A Decade of Impact: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward” featured insights from Dr. Marcia Ballinger, President of Lorain County Community College, Dr. John Berry, President of Central Ohio Technical College, and Scot McLemore, Executive in Residence at Columbus State Community College. Facilitated by Kristi Clouse, Senior Managing Director of Talent at JobsOhio, the panelists reflected on ten years of workforce development initiatives, sharing lessons learned and strategies for future growth.

The keynote address was delivered by Brynt Parmeter, Chief Talent Management Officer in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the U.S. Department of Defense. Titled “From Silicon Valley to the Defense Industrial Base: Growing Talent for Tomorrow’s Challenges,” Parmeter discussed the national imperative of cultivating a skilled workforce to meet evolving defense needs and the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving this goal.

Moderated by Terri Burgess Sandu, Director of Talent and Business Innovation and Director of Ohio TechNet at Lorain County Community College, the panel “Workforce Best Practices: Education and Industry Working Together” brought together Courtney Tenhover, Manager of Training Projects at Lorain County Community College and Ohio TechNet, Jeff Miller, Senior Vice President at Sinclair College, Jessica Borza, Managing Director of Workforce Services at The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, and John Agostinelli, Robotics & Automation Instructor at Amherst Exempted Village Schools. The discussion focused on successful earn-and-learn models, strategic investments, and the integration of education and workforce demands to meet industry needs.

An inspiring Employer-Student Spotlight featured Jared Dumont and Lia Douglas, both products of Lorain County Community College’s Microelectronic Manufacturing (MEMS) program. Jared, an early participant in the earn-and-learn initiative, now mentors new talent at PCBX, including Lia, who has benefited from scholarships and internships, including one at Intel’s Arizona facility. Their stories exemplify the program’s success in fostering career growth and mentorship. – Read their full story here. 

The “Industry Insights: Advancing Workforce Innovation in Manufacturing” panel, moderated by Lauren Friedman, Senior Program Manager of Workforce Development at NextFlex, featured Liz Callahan, Director of External Affairs and Special Projects at EWI, Sarah Nash, Owner and CEO at Novagard, and Lucas Beagle, Senior Director of Biological and Nanoscale Technologies Departmentat at BlueHalo. The panelists discussed the importance of industry-academia partnerships in driving workforce strategies and technological advancements in the manufacturing sector.

The event concluded with networking opportunities and guided tours of Lorain County Community College’s advanced facilities. Attendees explored the Campana Center for Ideation and Invention, showcasing the full product development cycle, and the Microelectronic Manufacturing Labs, equipped with industry-grade tools for electronic manufacturing and testing.

The event was a testament to Ohio’s commitment to building a resilient, skilled workforce through collaboration, innovation, and strategic investment.