Manufacturing leaders guide innovation in the year ahead

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Apr. 21, 2026 – At a time when manufacturers are accelerating innovation to strengthen competitiveness and building a future-ready workforce, SME, the nonprofit committed to advancing manufacturing technology and developing America’s talent, is recognizing the leaders serving on its 2026 Board of Directors. Rebecca R. Taylor, Chief Business and Public Affairs Officer of the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, serves as SME’s president.

As SME celebrated its 94th anniversary—reflecting on its founding by 33 tool engineers who came together to advance the industry—the organization continues to be led by its board officers and directors, whose leadership helps shape SME’s strategic priorities and impact across the manufacturing ecosystem.

“We are proud to recognize this exceptional group of leaders whose expertise reflects the full strength of the manufacturing ecosystem—from industry to academia to research,” said Jeannine Kunz, executive director and CEO of SME. “At a pivotal moment for manufacturing, their leadership will help drive innovation, strengthen the industry’s competitiveness, and build the skilled, future-ready workforce essential to economic resilience and national security. Together, we are advancing manufacturing as a critical and thriving engine of opportunity.”

2026 Officers of the SME Board of Directors

The officers and directors of the SME Board of Directors function as the governing body of SME, providing strategic oversight, governance, and fiduciary responsibility.

• 2026 SME President – Rebecca R. Taylor, The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences
• 2026 SME President-Elect – Jeffrey A. Abell, PhD, FSME, PE, University of Michigan
• 2026 SME Secretary/Treasurer – Marie Kissel, Abbott (retired)

2026 Directors of the SME Board of Directors

• Jian Cao, PhD, FSME, Northwestern University
• Jim Davis, UCLA
• Bryan G. Dods, FSME, CellCubed; Oerlikon AM (retired)
• Vincent W. Howell Sr., FSME, CMfgE, Corning Inc. (retired)
• Dale Lombardo, GE Aerospace
• Ajay “AJ” Malshe, PhD, NAE, SME, Purdue University
• Melissa Orme, PhD, The Boeing Company
• Brett Peters, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• John D. Russell, DSc, FSME, Fives Inc.
• Jimmy Williams Jr., PhD, ATI Materials

Executive Director and CEO / Board Member

• Jeannine Kunz, SME

To learn more about the SME Board of Directors, visit sme.org/board-of-directors.

About SME

Established in 1932 as a nonprofit organization, SME represents the manufacturing industry, including manufacturers, academia, professionals, students, and the communities in which they operate. We believe manufacturing holds the key to economic growth and prosperity, and champion the industry's potential as a diverse, thriving, and valued ecosystem. SME accelerates new technology adoption and builds talent and capabilities to advance manufacturing and drive competitiveness, resiliency, and national security. SME designs new ways to understand and solve problems, and our solutions advance the next wave of growth in manufacturing. Learn more at SME.org.