Innovation comes out of great human ingenuity and very personal passions. - Megan Smith After working for 8 years as a consultant to deans and faculty at community colleges, Carol Pepper-Kittredge enjoyed a homecoming of sorts to Sierra College in Rocklin, CA. Now as director of the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies she has had the ability to influence and … [Read more...]
Community Colleges and Makers Filling Skills Gap
The role of the Community College system In January of this year, I was attending a workforce cluster forum at Sierra College in Rocklin, CA. At the time I was relatively new to Sacramento Valley SME, the organization that led to my attendance at that forum. At some point during the day, I had the opportunity to chat with Carol Pepper-Kittredge and exchange business cards. … [Read more...]
Doing the Impossible Since 1972 EP2
When the Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station was being built in Herald, CA there was a problem. They needed to train and test welders faster. At the time, they were having to send the pipe out to a machine shop to have it beveled. There could be zero defects in weld quality. It was clear that a more efficient solution was needed. They needed to prep the ends of the pipe … [Read more...]
Growing up a Manufacturing Advocate
When I first met Joe Wernette I had been a temporary fixture in the machine shop at Tri Tool. I was working in their machining department implementing some software that integrated with their CNC machines. During that time I was called into a meeting to discuss something, and Joe was one of the people present. I didn't know it then, but Joe was the next CEO of Tri Tool and … [Read more...]
High School Car Buff Becomes Champion for Students and Manufacturers EP1
Bill Gaines's interest in cars was the inspiration for a career that would leave its mark in the manufacturing world, but that was the tip of the iceberg. Today Bill and his team at Grow Manufacturing are now champions of industry, education, and economic development for the North State (California) and beyond. Learn about Bill's path through business at the helm of Transfer … [Read more...]
The Launch of Manufacturing Advocates Podcast
I first met with Bill Gaines in a conference room in Chico, California. He was showing me slides from a presentation on his efforts to improve the manufacturing industry through collaboration on challenges such as skills gaps in job candidates. It was Bill's presentation that inspired me to launch this podcast and I’m proud to have him as my first guest. During his … [Read more...]