Marcum Manufacturing Forum

The Marcum Manufacturing Forum brings together industry leaders and executives from the Connecticut manufacturing community to elevate awareness of funding sources available to manufacturers through various state and federal programs. 

The Marcum forum is produced in collaboration with the U.S Department of Commerce Connecticut District Office, the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), and ManufactureCT.The Marcum forum is produced in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce Connecticut District Office, the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), and ManufactureCT.

Paul Lavoie, Connecticut’s Chief Manufacturing Officer, will deliver the keynote remarks at this year’s inaugural forum, providing an update on the state of manufacturing in Connecticut. You will also hear from a panel of manufacturing industry leaders, moderated by Compass MSP CEO Ari Santiago, who will discuss investments and opportunities provided by the state to support growth and innovation in 2023 and beyond.

The panel will explore resources available to manufacturers and connect you with the tools offered by Connecticut to help grow your business and gain a competitive advantage.

AGENDA

8:00 AM - Registration & Breakfast

8:30 AM -  Introductions and Welcome

Jeff Rossi, New England Consumer & Industrial Products Leader, Marcum LLP8:35 AM Keynote Presentation

Paul S. Lavoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer, State of Connecticut

8:50 AM - Panel Discussion

MODERATOR Ari Santiago, CEO, Compass

MSP PANELISTS 

Eileen Candels, Director of Partnerships, CCAT David Cremin, President, Straton Industries Brittany Isherwood, President, Burke Aerospace Jill Mayer, CEO, Bead Industries Susan White, President & CEO, Atlas Stamping & Manufacturing Corporation 9:50 AM Panel Wrap-up & Closing Ron Angelo, President & Chief Executive Officer, CCAT Chris Dipentima, President and CEO of CBIA

SPEAKERS

KEYNOTE

PAUL S. LAVOIE,  CHIEF MANUFACTURING OFFICER, STATE OF CONNECTICUT

Paul S. Lavoie was appointed by Governor Ned Lamont as the Chief Manufacturing Officer for Connecticut in February 2022.  The Chief Manufacturing Officer position was created to coordinate efforts from the state and private sector to expand manufacturing in Connecticut. FULL BIO

MODERATOR

ARI SANTIAGO,  CEO, COMPASSMSP

Ari Santiago is the CEO of CompassMSP, a technology services firm that helps businesses harness the power of technology to achieve their business goals.  Ari is also the host of the podcast Made in America with Ari Santiago, which focuses on promoting the manufacturing industry, sharing best practices of industry leaders, and spreading positive news from policymakers affecting the manufacturing industry. Ari speaks both locally and nationally about technology, manufacturing, and business strategy. He is also a relentless advocate for positive engagement in the communities he serves.

PANELISTS

EILEEN CANDELS, DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS, CONNECTICUT CENTER FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY (CCAT)

Eileen Candels is the Director of Partnerships at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), where she leads outreach and programs for Manufacturers, and with Trade Associations and Community Partners to connect with CCAT resources. Eileen joined CCAT in late 2020, leading CARES Act, Workforce, and Education programs for the CT Manufacturing ecosystem. Prior to CCAT Eileen had a 35-year career in the staffing industry, as Vice President for Kelly Services for the Greater Hartford and Western MA area, and later as Director for New England for Kelly Educational Staffing. She is involved in several Education-Business partnerships around the State, Million Women Mentors – CT, Hunger Action service and lives with her family in Wethersfield. Eileen holds a BA from Tufts University.

DAVID CREMIN, PRESIDENT, STRATON INDUSTRIES

David Cremin is the President of Straton Industries. Establish in 1961, Straton Industries is a certified contract manufacturer of molds, tools, dies and stampings, supplying to the aircraft, aerospace and semi-conductor markets. Straton employs 90 people in Stratford, CT.Dave Cremin is a journeyman tool & die maker.  Dave attended the University of Bridgeport with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management & Industrial Relations. Dave lives in Monroe, Connecticut with his wife Tonya, and two teenage children.

BRITTANY ISHERWOOD, PRESIDENT, BURKE AREOSPACE

Brittany M. Isherwood is the President of Burke Aerospace, headquartered in Farmington, CT. Burke Aerospace has provided Electric Discharge Machining and Milling services to the Aerospace, Industrial Gas Turbine, and Defense Industries for over 60 years.  Burke Aerospace also has an additional facility in Greenville, SC supporting both the Aerospace and the Industrial Gas Turbine industries.  FULL BIO

JILL MAYER, CEO, BEAD INDUSTRIES

Jill Mayer started at Bead in 2007 as Financial Controller where she managed HR, financial planning, budget management and financial reporting of both Bead Chain and Bead Electronics divisions. In 2014, she took on the role of Corporate President, responsible for strategic planning and executive leadership. In 2018, she was promoted to CEO to lead the company into the future through growth and innovation. She holds a BS in Business from the University of Vermont and an MS from Champlain College.

SUSAN WHITE, PRESIDENT & CEO, ATLAS STAMPING & MANUFACTURING CORPORATION

Goal-focused and task-oriented, Susan White serves as President and CEO. Joining our team in 2017, Susan brings years of experience running small to mid-sized businesses. White is responsible for the day-to-day operations at Atlas, focusing on increasing efficiencies, production, and throughput; providing operational oversight in every department; and planning and executing strategic goals.

CLOSING REMARKS

RON ANGELO, PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CONNECTICUT CENTER FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY (CCAT)

Ron Angelo has over 35 years of experience guiding strategic business planning and operations, fostering financial growth, and steering process improvement in public and private companies, governmental entities, and entrepreneurial organizations. Ron’s expertise in and passion for leading-edge technology and advanced manufacturing led him to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), which he has held since 2013.

CHRIS DIPENTIMA, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CBIA

Chris DiPentima is president and CEO of CBIA, Connecticut’s leading business organization, with thousands of member companies, small and large, representing a diverse range of industries from every part of the state.The organization includes two critical affiliates—the business consulting firm CONNSTEP and the nonprofit education policy and program group ReadyCT. FULL BIO