ALICIA UHDE - PRESIDENT - 2025
Polytechnic Outreach Director
Bismarck State College
Bismarck, North Dakota
Professional Experience
Director, Polytechnic Outreach, Bismarck State College (2020 – present)
• Execute the expansion and maintenance of BSC public and private partnerships (local, regional, international) to support the Polytechnic mission.
• Direct experiential learning opportunities and facilitates a comprehensive programming plan connected to student learning outcomes resulting from these experiences.
• Provide oversight and administrative leadership for two Polytechnic Outreach Coordinators who support and enhance student success programming, including outreach, student experiential learning, and industry and educational partnership development.
• Organize development of BSC’s Polytechnic Business and Industry Leadership Teams (BILT).
• Initiate and support regional workforce and community development opportunities through credit programming and non-credit training in the areas of manufacturing/automation, energy, health science, cybersecurity, agriculture and finance.
• Identify and pursue opportunities related to adult education, expansion of career technical education in K-12, expanded career pathway options through stackable certificates and workforce development programs.
Contractor, National Power Academy Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2018-2020)
• Provided remote oversight and administrative leadership of the National Power Academy Student Services Division including admissions, enrollment and records, advising, retention, student incident, student clubs, student communication, and student policy.
• Developed, implemented, and led ongoing management of the student information system.
Manager, Energy Technology Programs Bismarck State College (2011 – 2020)
• Served as program manager for Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), Associate in Applied Science (AAS) and Certificate Programs in the areas of Energy Management, Electric Power Technology, Electric Transmission System Technology, and Instrumentation and Control programs, to include supervising 50+ adjunct and full-time faculty members, identifying needed programming changes, re-developing degree plans, and facilitating partnership development to support student outcomes
• Led initiatives to position BSC as provider of choice for Industry and Apprenticeship Training Programs.
• Strengthened industry partnerships to support flexible, customized education pathways through the blending of credit and non-credit programming, execution of credit for prior learning, and integration of industry recognized skills and credentials throughout programming.
• Directed multiple Energy Technology Student Advisors in management and support of 1,000+ student education plans and enrollment related processes for individuals entering into 11 Associate and one Bachelor Degree Programs.
• Supervised and supported the Energy Technology Outreach Coordinator in coordinating and attending educational and outreach events, hosting events to promote awareness around programs, and distributing timely communication through program specific websites, print materials, social media channels, and other outlets as needed.
• Served as founding member of and BSC liaison with the Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE). EPCE is a national coalition of 3,500+ energy members who develop, sponsor, and promote industry-driven, standardized, quality online learning programs to meet the workforce needs of the energy industry.
• Responsible for multiple division grant activities including budget, reporting, curriculum development and outreach activities.
• Ensured compliance with reporting requirements for local, state, and federal government and numerous grant agencies as related to energy division activities
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DR. SCOTT LUCAS - IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT
Vice President - Aviation, Manufacturing & Institutional Effectiveness
WSU Tech
Wichita, Kansas
Education
Emporia State University, Emporia, KS; Ph.D, Library and Information Management, 2008.
The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK; Master of Arts in Education, May 2001.
Emporia State University, Bachelor of Arts in History, May 1996.
Work Experience
Vice President-Aviation, Manufacturing, and Institutional Effectiveness (formerly WATC), Wichita, KS, August 2015-Present
- Provide policy, strategic direction, process change, and leadership across college as member of President’s Leadership Team and Academic Affairs Leadership for college that oversees over 30 academic programs in the areas of Aviation and Manufacturing
- Directly supervise college’s Instructional Technology and Academic Support, Institutional Research, Registrar, Assessment, and Accreditation efforts
- Coordinate with Deans and director academic activities on one campus and two locations as well as concurrent enrollment at over thirty-area high schools
- Assist Finance with the development of all budgetary aspects for the academic programs and activities and related funds for the National Center for Aviation Training
- HLC Liaison Officer
- Provided leadership that lead to 58% increase in college enrollment from 2016 thru 2020 that was named the 2nd fastest growing college in the nation.
- Assisted with successful implementation of Wichita Promise, Wichita Promise Move, and Metallica scholarship programs in aviation and manufacturing
- Supported and coordinated increase in dual credit and high school block students in CTE—the largest growth in the state of Kansas
- Directly supervised launch of programs in Professional Pilot, Tooling, UAS, Cloud Computing, Alternative Fuel and Electrical Systems, and Construction
- Served on college’s Wichita State University Affiliation joint committee—that lead to successful affiliation between WSU and WSU Tech
- 2020 NC3 Enterprise Award Winner and Three-time Dennis Iudice Award winner (2017, 2018, 2019) for number of NC3 certifications earned by students.
- Advanced Robotics in Manufacturing Institute Education and Workforce Development Committee member
- City of Wichita District 6 Advisory Board Member
- Wichita Manufacturers Association Executive Board Member
- Kansas Council on Workforce Education Board Member
- Regional Manufacturing Career and Technical Education Member
Director, Institutional Research, Wichita Area Technical College
July 2007-July 2015
Assistant Director, Institutional Effectiveness, Wichita Area Technical College
October 2005-June 2007
DR. RICHARD AMMON - President-Elect
Executive Director of Workforce Initiatives
College of Lake County
7735 W Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031
Grayslake, IL 60030-1198
Phone: 847.543.2693
Richard Ammon is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in higher education workforce development. Currently serving as the Executive Director of Workforce Initiatives at the College of Lake County, he plays a pivotal role in aligning academic programs with the evolving needs of the job market. His extensive background includes leadership in advanced technology center development—most notably, co-leading the creation of a 182,000-square-foot Advanced Technology Center—and fostering collaborations with industry leaders to enhance career and technical education.
Throughout his career, Richard has held significant positions such as Interim Executive Dean of Education, Interim Vice President of Education, and Chief Academic Officer at the College of Lake County. His prior roles include Dean of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences at the same institution, Career and Technical Education Specialist at the Madison Metropolitan School District (K-12), and dean and associate dean positions at Southwest Technical College and Milwaukee Area Technical College. His expertise spans student development, administrative management, program management, and community engagement.
Richard holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Studies from West Virginia University, an M.Ed. in Education with an emphasis on Business Administration from Frostburg State University, and a B.S. in Agronomy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A U.S. Army veteran who served as a combat medic during Operation Desert Storm, he exemplifies dedication to service and education. His contributions continue to shape workforce education, ensuring programs remain relevant and effective in preparing students for successful careers.
DR. CLAIRE KORSCHINOWSKI - SECRETARY
HARRIET HAPPEL, MBA - TREASURER
Dean, Career Education, Integrative Learning and the Employment Center
College of the Canyons
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA
Phone: 661.362.3653
Harriet Happel serves in the role of Dean of Career Education, Integrative Learning and the Employment Center at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California. She is also an instructor in the disciplines of Advanced Manufacturing, Business, and Career Skills. Currently, Harriet serves on the executive board for the California Community College Association of Occupational Education as the Communications Officer. Prior to coming to College of the Canyons, Harriet served as the Director of Perkins Grant Operations and Career and Technical Education Coordinator at Elgin Community College in Elgin, Illinois.
Ms. Happel is a California Community College student who transferred to the University of California at San Diego where she completed her undergraduate work in Political Science. Harriet worked as a Project Manager and Managing Business Partner at Management Resource Group, a San Diego based business consulting firm specializing in performance management for non-profit organizations. After moving to the mid-west, she worked with Camcraft, Inc., a manufacturer of high precision component parts for the automotive industry, as the Program Manager for New Product Introduction. While in the mid-west she completed her Master of Business Administration degree at Keller Graduate School of Management with specializations in Project Management and Sustainability. Harriet also holds a certification from the University of Vermont in Campus Sustainability Leadership and is a certified instructor in Phi Theta Kappa’s Leadership Development Studies Program and the International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute Leadership Development Program. Since being back in California, she has completed both level 1 and 2 of the California Community College Association of Occupational Education’s Leadership Academy.
In her tenure at College of the Canyons, Harriet has been very involved in new program introduction for career education. Currently, she is the project manager for the Advanced Technology Center that will open in spring 2023 and the regional Fire Academy that is targeted to open at the Del Valle Training center in fall of 2023. She also manages the Strong Workforce Partnership funding, California Apprenticeship Initiative grants, and the Perkins V grant allocations. Most recently, she secured an additional $300,000.00 in funding through the Perkins Reserve Grant for the Network Technologies Improvement and Innovation.
When not working, Harriet enjoys organic gardening and spending time traveling with her family.
ELBERT LASSITER - ROWAN-CABARRUS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Vice President for Corporate and Continuing Education
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Post Office Box 1595
Salisbury, NC 28145-1595
Email: elbert.lassiter@rccc.edu
ANTHONY M. PONDER, ED.D. - Director
Provost and Chief Academic Officer (CAO) of the Division of Instruction
Sinclair Community College
444 W. Third Street
Dayton, OH 45402
MICHELE WILSON - WVU PARKERSBURG
Dean, Workforce, Technical and Computer Information Science Division
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
300 Campus Drive
Parkersburg, WV 26104
Email: Michele.Wilson@wvup.edu
Hope Cotner - Director
President and CEO
CORD
4901 Bosque Blvd., Suite 200
Waco, TX 76710
Phone: 254-741-8309
Email: hcotner@cord.org
Hope Cotner is President & CEO of the Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD), a national nonprofit organization. CORD’s work helps stakeholders across the career pathways ecosystem strengthen industry-education partnerships to ensure learners are armed with the academic, technical, and employability skills they need to be successful in an evolving global economy. Hope has over 33 years of experience guiding program improvement initiatives in career-technical and workforce education; most recently, directing the Pathways to Credentials project for the US Department of Education-Office of Career Technical and Adult Education and the Necessary Skills Now Network for the National Science Foundation’s ATE program. She has authored more than 30 professional development courses, toolkits, and guides and co-authored two books on career pathways. She serves on the Board of the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers, served as Chair for the Institute of Education Sciences’ Expert Panel on Postsecondary CTE and was a career pathways subject matter expert for the President’s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership 2.0 Steering Committee. A frequent national speaker on career pathways and the future of work, Hope also serves as co-principal investigator of the NSF-ATE project Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work.
GRANT MATTHEWS - director
Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs
Lane Community College
4000 E. 30th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97405-0640
Email: matthewsg@lanecc.edu
Grant is the Associate Vice President for Career Technical Education and Workforce Development at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. In this role, he oversees the School of Professional Technical Careers which includes allied health education, business, technology, trades, the Lane Aviation Academy, high school connection initiatives, integrated education and training initiatives, small business development support, cooperative education, internships, and Carl D. Perkins funding. Grant has also held the position of Dean for Health Profession, Health, and Physical Education, Career Pathways, Adult Basic Education, and Academic Learning Skills at LCC.
Prior to LCC, he served as an Assistant Dean at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Illinois and various roles at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, including Diversity and Equity Officer. Grant is an experienced educator and education leader with a deep passion for students and the potential they bring for their own future. His passion for student success translates to dedication in his work and research. He holds an MPA in Higher Education Leadership from Portland State University and doctoral coursework in Community College Leadership at Oregon State University.
DR. ROBIN COLE JR. - DIRECTOR
Vice President, Economic and Workforce Development
and Career Technical Education
Monroe Community College
Rochester, NY
KELCEY WOODS-NORD - DIRECTOR
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
South Central College
North Mankato, MN
Kelcey Woods-Nord is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at South Central College (SCC). In this role, she serves as a point of contact for all local, state, national, and international partnerships. This includes post-secondary and secondary partners, community-based and workforce organizations, employers, and industry associations. In addition, she oversees the College’s work-based learning and employment services programs, the grants department, Customized Workforce Education, Southern Agriculture Center of Excellence, and serves as the liaison to the South Central College Foundation.
Kelcey has been with SCC since 2008, when she joined the College as the Grant and Technical Writer. During her six-year tenure in this position, she helped the college bring in over $25 million in grant funding to implement best practices and innovative programming. In 2014, she moved into a Project Coordinator position and managed SCC’s portion of a $15 million DOL TAACCCT Grant. When the grant ended in 2018, she took on the role of Apprenticeship & Internship Coordinator where she worked with employers across southern MN to implement work-based learning opportunities and career pathways for current and future employees. As a result of this work, SCC has helped industry partners secure over $2.2 million in state funding over the last eight years to support their employees’ pursuit of academic degrees and industry credentials.
Kelcey holds a BS in Marketing from St. Cloud State University and a MA in Technical Communication from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
DR. PATTY WEAVER - DIRECTOR
Vice President for External Affairs
Pellissippi State Community College
Knoxville, TN
Dr. Patty Weaver is the Vice President for External Affairs at Pellissippi State Community College. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in Marketing Education and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from East Tennessee State University. As part of the College’s organizational restructuring, External Affairs encompasses the College’s existing offices of Workforce and Community Development, Marketing and Communications, Event Services, Career Development, and the Pellissippi State Foundation, the fundraising arm of the institution.
Weaver is a native of Monroe County and a life-long educator serving 8 years as a Marketing teacher at the K12 level and the past 16 years in higher education. Dr. Weaver has held the offices of Director of Campuses, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs, and ultimately Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development, where she managed workforce development, continuing education, work-based learning, Tennessee Small Business Development Center, Advanced Technologies Institute and off campus centers in the institution’s service area.
In her role at Pellissippi State Community College, Dr. Weaver will assist the institution in strengthening relationships with industry partners, K-12 partners and other community groups, and continue to meet the needs of business and industry partners, individuals within the community, and economic development agencies within the region to develop a skilled workforce. Her board service includes Tellico Reservoir Development Agency, Blount Partnership, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Fairview Technology Center, and Junior Achievement of the Ocoee Region. Weaver is married to Eric Weaver, Secondary Supervisor for Monroe County Schools and retired First Sergeant Army National Guard 278th ACR. Weaver deployed to Iraq during Operation of Iraq Freedom.
DAVID CURRY - DIRECTOR
Manager, Advanced Manufacturing and Material Center
Larami County Community College
Cheyenne, WY
Dave has been a dedicated member of the Laramie County Community College (LCCC) team in Cheyenne, Wyoming, since 2010. His career at LCCC began as an adjunct instructor, and over the years, he has held several roles, including full-time mechanical instructor, department chair, and director of technical studies. He currently serves as the Manager of the Advanced Manufacturing and Material Center (AMMC), where he oversees both credit and non-credit programs aimed at creating a pipeline of new employees while offering reskilling and upskilling opportunities for the existing manufacturing workforce by launching training initiatives such as nine-week, non-credit CNC Operator bootcamps.
As Manager of the AMMC, Dave has led the development and growth of the center, which includes the construction of the $8 million facility, achieving AMMC accreditation from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), and has introduced Southeastern Wyoming to Industry 4.0 with the help of a six-station Intelitek SmatCim.
Dave holds a Master’s Degree in Education with a major in Curriculum & Instruction and a minor in Career & Technical Education Leadership from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. Additionally, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. A proud retiree of the United States Air Force, Dave brings a wealth of leadership, teaching, and program development experience to his current role.
TONI NEARY - DIRECTOR (STRATEGIC PARTNER)
Director of Community Engagement & Workforce Innovation
SME
1000 Town Center Suite 1900
Southfield, MI 48075
Phone: 216-706-6652
Email: tneary@sme.org
Toni Neary is the Director of Community Engagement and Workforce Innovation, leading efforts to grow diversity, equity, inclusion and access as well as highlight successful programs throughout the United States. Passionate about career & technical education she has spent nearly 20 years engaging, developing and helping to grow advanced manufacturing programs through various role. In her current role Toni is working directly with communities to build, fill, and sustain viable manufacturing ecosystems. You will find Toni speaking on many platforms to help grow awareness and change perceptions of careers and pathways to manufacturing as well as making vital links between industry and educators to develop a strong, consistent workforce pipeline.
jOE bALDIGA - DIRECTOR (STRATEGIC PARTNER)
FANUC America Corporation
Email: joe.baldiga@fanucamerica.com
Joe Baldiga is a National Education Account Manager at FANUC America Corporation. With over two decades of experience, Joe is familiar with all aspects of the FANUC world; from his humble beginnings in the FANUC Receiving Department, Joe has worked his way up the ranks and held positions in Customer Service, Field Service, Inside Sales, Training, New Business Development, Marketing, and now Education.
Joe credits his time in the FANUC Training Department and the launch of FANUC’s CERT Program for igniting his passion for education. As technology advanced at a rapid pace, there emerged a growing divide between the demand for skilled workers and the available talent pool. Determined to address this challenge head-on, Joe and the Certified Education Training (CERT) Team have dedicated themselves to nurturing the next generation of manufacturing talent. Joe is a great advocate for vocational education and apprenticeship programs, recognizing the importance of hands-on training to prepare individuals for careers in advanced manufacturing.
Through mentorship initiatives, outreach programs, and collaboration with educational institutions and industry partners, Joe hopes to inspire young minds and ignite a passion for manufacturing innovation. Joe champions diversity and inclusivity in the industry, striving to create opportunities for underrepresented groups and empower individuals from all walks of life. Joe believes automation education empowers individuals with the means to support themselves and their families and plays a vital role in building a more equitable society by fostering upward mobility for all. Joe is committed to building a brighter future for the manufacturing industry and inspiring the next generation of talent to dream big and reach even greater heights.
FANUC America and their Education Solution Provider network have developed more than 1600 automation, CNC, and robotics training centers through academic partnerships with secondary and post-secondary schools throughout the Americas.
J. Craig McAtee - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO
CEO & Executive Director
NCATC
33607 Seneca Drive
Cleveland, Ohio 44139
Phone: 440.600.7749
Email: craig@ncatc.org
J. Craig McAtee is the Executive Director & CEO for the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC), Principal of McAtee Ventures, LLC, and former Director of Additive Manufacturing Technology for Tri-C. Before starting his own consulting company in 2007, McAtee served as Executive Director of the Workforce and Economic Development Division of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) in Cleveland, Ohio for seven years. During the 20th century, he spent over twenty-five years in engineering and senior leadership positions for Swagelok Company, an international manufacturing organization, based in Cleveland, Ohio.
In addition to his role at NCATC, he provides direction, technical support, and external evaluation for several national NSF-ATE, DOL, DOE, and DOD grants including the Automotive Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative (AMTEC), Weld-Ed (OH), Smart Grid Technicians (HI), BILT & Necessary Skills Now (TX), RCBI/Marshall Apprenticeship Works (WV), and many others. McAtee is also an active member of the Workforce & Economic Development Commission for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in Washington, DC, immediate past chair of AACC’s Council of Affiliated Councils (COAC), Co-Chair of the Workforce Industry Experience Working Group at America Makes, Director on the NextFlex Board for Workforce & Education in San Jose, CA. and member of the ARM Institute Education & Workforce Advisory Council in Pittsburg, PA.
McAtee is a thought leader and futurist, fueled by his decades-long industry, education, and government experiences. He prides himself on being a unifying team-builder, problem solver, researcher, empathetic listener, and outside the box thinker that practices strategic thinking and decision making for the ecosystems he serves. He is actively involved with SME, SkillsUSA, FIRST Robotics, MSSC, NIMS, AWS, SACA, NC3, Urban Institute, and several other ManufacturingUSA workforce collaborations - including ARM, America Makes, LiFT, MxD, ReMADE, AIM Photonics, CESMII, CYMANII, and NIMBLE. McAtee is also a Business & Industry Leadership Teams (BILT) Academy Coach for 2020-2024 cohorts, a member of the 2021-2024 Business Leaders United (BLU) Manufacturing Recover Panel for the Biden Administration and a Keynote Speaker on “The Future of Work and Industry 4.0” across the nation, as time permits.
McAtee is a proud alum of Parkersburg High School, 1972, attended Parkersburg Community College (now WVUP) 1972/73 - before moving to Cleveland, OH in 1973. He graduated from Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) in 1975, Kent State University, Industrial Engineering BA, in 1977, Malone College, BA in 1997, and Cleveland State University, Executive MBA in 2000.
Holly H. McAtee - OPERATIONS MANAGER
Operations Manager
NCATC
33607 Seneca Drive
Cleveland, Ohio 44139
Phone: 440-667-6297
Email: holly@ncatc.org
Holly McAtee is currently the Operations Manager for NCATC. She maintains NCATC's web site, handles registration and meal planning for the yearly Conference as well as all accounting and membership functions.
Holly began working with NCATC at the end of 2007, primarily to do invoicing of membership dues and accounting; she continues to manage more of the daily operations.
In 2005, Holly started her own accounting business and today has over 10 clients. NCATC is her largest, national client to date.