The Institute Hires Operations Director and Communications & Public Affairs Director
Youngstown, Ohio — February 5, 2020. America Makes proudly announces two appointments to its leadership team. Joining America Makes are Alexander Steeb as the new Operations Director and Andrew Resnick as the new Communications & Public Affairs Director.
These appointments will enable the Institute to continue advancing the adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) and supporting the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) program, which focuses on cross-cutting defense manufacturing needs.
“We are pleased to welcome Alexander and Andrew to the America Makes leadership team,” said America Makes Executive Director John Wilczynski. “Both Alexander and Andrew will share the same goal of continuing to grow America Makes as the recognized national thought leader in additive manufacturing through different, yet equally important, capacities.”
These new leadership appointments follow America Makes’ recent announcement of a new seven-year Cooperative Agreement (CA) with the Department of Air Force, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The CA is a Cost-Reimbursement/Cost Share agreement with a total funding value worth up to a combined $322 million of government cost and America Makes cost share. Sponsored by the OSD ManTech program, America Makes’ mission directly supports the manufacturing technology needs for the OSD Research & Engineering modernization priorities, which include hypersonics, cyber, AI/machine learning, and more. Currently, America Makes manages a portfolio of more than $215 million in public and private funds invested in advancing AM in the United States. With the additional funding, that number in the next seven years will increase to more than a half of a billion dollars.
“Alexander brings a wealth of operations and finance experience to America Makes,” said Mr. Wilczynski. “He will be responsible for the execution of the new CA, managing all of the associated requirements, in addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Institute. This will allow me and Brandon Ribic, our technology director, to focus on strategic activities to include technology investment, long-term sustainability, and membership.”
As Operations Director, Mr. Steeb, reporting directly to Mr. Wilczynski, will lead and coordinate the efforts of the America Makes leadership team to include education and workforce, partnerships and community relations, membership, and communications and public relations in executing the terms of the new CA and managing all of its associated requirements.
“Andrew’s extensive background in communications, government affairs, issues management, and stakeholder engagement will prove invaluable to America Makes and our membership community,” said Mr. Wilczynski. “He will be responsible for developing and deploying our long-term communications strategy under the new CA and coordinate our efforts for a national investment plan by working closely with our Roadmap Advisory Group.”
As Communications & Public Affairs Director, Mr. Resnick will lead and manage strategic activities and opportunities that will further cultivate America Makes’ role as a convener, coordinator, and catalyzer within its membership community, the AM industry, and government stakeholders. He will work closely with the entire America Makes leadership team and will report to Mr. Steeb.
Before joining America Makes, Mr. Steeb served as the vice president of operations for Altronic, LLC, a leading manufacturer of ignition and control systems for industrial engines, and a HOERBIGER Group company. In this capacity, Mr. Steeb was responsible for the overall operations function and most recently, led the development and execution of a comprehensive operations roadmap. Prior to that, Mr. Steeb served as the global head of controlling for HOERBIGER Business Area Engine Solutions and led finance and controlling teams in the U.S., Austria, and Sweden. He started his career at Altronic as a reporting manager, playing an integral role during HOERBIGER’s acquisition of Altronic. Mr. Steeb earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Karlsruhe, Germany and has completed numerous leadership and operations management courses during his tenure with HOERBIGER.
Prior to joining America Makes, Mr. Resnick served as a managing director at the public affairs firm Five Corners Strategies in Washington, D.C. In this role, Mr. Resnick led day-to-day operations and served as the lead strategist for clients, responsible for developing and implementing multi-dimensional public affairs campaigns. Previously, Mr. Resnick was the director of public affairs for the Corn Refiners Association (CRA), the national trade association of the U.S. corn wet milling industry, where he oversaw a $70 million national issue campaign, as well as managing the association’s advocacy and communications activities. Mr. Resnick also served as the government relations director for Inova Health Systems in Falls Church, Va., and brings a broad background in campaign politics, serving as a campaign manager and consultant for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and state legislative campaigns. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the American University and a Master of Arts in Government / Political Communications from John Hopkins University.
Visit americamakes.us for more information about America Makes or on becoming a member. Follow us on Twitter @AmericaMakes.
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About America Makes
Driven by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), America Makes is the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute. As the national accelerator for additive manufacturing (AM) based in Youngstown, Ohio, America Makes is the nation’s leading and collaborative partner in AM and 3DP technology research, discovery, creation, and innovation. Comprised of member organizations from industry, academia, government, non-government agencies, and workforce and economic development resources, the America Makes membership community is working together to innovate and accelerate AM to increase our nation’s global manufacturing competitiveness. America Makes is the first of eight Manufacturing Innovation Institutes established and managed by the U.S. Department of Defense as public-private partnerships. America Makes is also a member of the Manufacturing USA® network, which seeks to secure U.S. global leadership in advanced manufacturing. For more information about America Makes, visit americamakes.us and follow @AmericaMakes on Twitter.
About NCDMM
NCDMM delivers innovative and collaborative manufacturing solutions that enhance our nation’s workforce and economic competitiveness. NCDMM has extensive knowledge and depth in manufacturing areas—both commercial and defense—to continually innovate, improve, and advance manufacturing technologies and methodologies. Our experienced team specializes in identifying the needs, the players, the technologies, and processes to attain optimal solutions for our customers. We connect the dots. That’s the NCDMM methodology. NCDMM also manages the national accelerator for additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing (3DP), America Makes—the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute. For additional information, visit the NCDMM at ncdmm.org and follow @NCDMMnews on Twitter.
