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About SME

What is SME?

SME is a nonprofit association of professionals, educators and students committed to promoting and supporting the manufacturing industry. SME helps manufacturers innovate, grow and prosper by promoting manufacturing technology, developing a skilled workforce and connecting the manufacturing industry. SME supports manufacturing based on our core belief: Manufacturing is key to economic growth and prosperity.

Vision

Our Vision

Inspired, educated and prosperous manufacturing community

 

SME: Mission

Our Mission

Promote manufacturing technology and develop a skilled workforce

 

SME: Purpose

Our Purpose

Advance manufacturing and attract future generations

 

Services History Leadership

What can SME do for you?

SME is the manufacturing industry’s leading voice for advancement and opportunity. We offer resources for manufacturers, promote advanced manufacturing technology, and work to develop a skilled workforce. Today, we connect the most prestigious, experienced, and innovative professionals in the business. We understand the problems you face, and we’re here to help find solutions to meet today’s manufacturing needs. 

 

Training through Tooling U-SME

SME Events

SME Media

 

SME Membership

Certification through SME

SME Education Foundation

History of SME

SME has supported manufacturing for 90 years, from our founding as the American Society of Tool Engineers to our evolution to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 1969 to becoming SME in 2013. Working closely with manufacturing professionals, companies, educators, schools and communities, we share knowledge and resources that generate solutions to manufacturing industry challenges.

SME was created as a membership organization, but has grown beyond that to serve the manufacturing industry even more broadly with events, workforce development and media products.

 

American Society of Tool Engineers is Born

First Western Metal and Tool Exposition Conference is Held

First Western Metal and Tool Exposition Conference is Held

SME Creates Education Foundation

SME Creates Education Foundation

Board of Directors Executive Team Member Council

Board of Directors

The SME Board of Directors is elected by the entire voting membership of SME, and is made up of industry and academic leaders. 

 James W. Schlusemann

President
James W. Schlusemann, LSME
Bio

 Winston F. Erevelles, PhD

President-Elect
Winston F. Erevelles, PhD
Bio

Vincent W. Howell Sr., FSME, CMfgE

Vice President
Vincent W. Howell Sr., FSME, CMfgE
Bio

Rebecca R. Taylor

Treasurer
Rebecca R. Taylor
Bio

Jeffrey A. Abell, FSME, CMfgE, PE

Secretary
Jeffrey A. Abell, PhD, FSME, CMfgE, PE
Bio

Bryan D. Albrecht

International Director
Bryan D. Albrecht, EdD
Bio

 Edye S. Buchanan, CMfgT

International Director
Edye S. Buchanan, CMfgT
Bio

Jian Cao, PhD, FSME

International Director
Jian Cao, PhD, FSME 
Bio

Dianne Chong, Phd, FSME, NAE

International Director
Dianne Chong, PhD, FSME, NAE
Bio

Bryan G. Dods

International Director
Bryan G. Dods, FSME
Bio

Jacqueline A. El Sayed

International Director
Jacqueline A. El Sayed, PhD
Bio

Hitomi Yamaguchi Greenslet, PhD, FSME

International Director
Hitomi Yamaguchi Greenslet, PhD, FSME
Bio

Robert W. Ivester, PhD, FSME

International Director
Robert W. Ivester, PhD, FSME 
Bio

Marie Kissel

International Director
Marie Kissel
Bio

Dean S. Phillips

International Director
Dean S. Phillips, LSME
Bio

Albert J. Wavering, FSME

International Director
Albert J. Wavering, FSME
Bio

Executive Team

The Executive Team serves as SME's day-to-day leadership, helping make key decisions that play a role in the growth and development of the organization.

Robert Bob Willig

Executive Director & CEO
Robert "Bob" Willig
Bio

Craig Connop

Chief Financial Officer
Craig Connop
Bio

 Steve Prahalis

Chief Operating Officer
Steve Prahalis
Bio

Kathleen Borgula

Vice President of Human Resources
Kathleen Borgula
Bio

Sheronda Carr

Senior Director of Membership
Sheronda L. Carr
Bio

 Erica Ciupak

Vice President of Information Technology
Erica Ciupak
Bio

 Debbie Clark

Manager of Governance
Debbie Clark
Bio

Jeannine Kunz

Vice President of Tooling U-SME
Jeannine Kunz
Bio

 Rob Luce

Vice President of SME Education Foundation
Rob Luce
Bio

 Dave O’Neil

Vice President of Media
Dave O’Neil
Bio

Member Council

The SME Member Council was created in the fall of 2003 to lead the member engagement activities of SME's volunteer networks. It is responsible for assisting SME in recognizing and meeting the needs of its membership in a rapidly changing environment, building on the long-term SME strategic goals, strengthening local activities and formulating recommendations relative to SME membership recruitment, retention and engagement.

Gregory A. Harris, PhD, PE

Chair
Gregory A. Harris, PhD, PE
Bio

Gabriela Darras

Chair-Elect
Gabriela Darras
Bio

jennifer fielding

Immediate Past Chair
Jennifer Fielding, PhD
Bio

Gicell Aleman

Council Representative
Gicell Aleman
Bio

Matthew Clegg

Council Representative
Matthew Clegg
Bio

Dan Braley

Council Representative
Dan Braley, FSME, CAM-T
Bio

Farhad Ghadamli

Council Representative
Farhad Ghadamli
Bio

Stephen Marth

Council Representative
Stephen Marth, CMfgE, LBC
Bio

Jacob Rahdarian

Council Representative
Jacob Rahdarian, CMfgE
Bio

Tara Thomasson

Council Representative
Tara Thomasson
Bio

A Nonprofit Association of Manufacturing Professionals

SME is helping the world’s manufacturers adapt, innovate, grow and prosper. An SME membership gives you access to people who can help you throughout your career. Join now and start building your own personal connections and let SME assist in your manufacturing journey and contribute to your career development.

Become a Member View Brochure

 

Engage with SME on Social Media

Stay up-to-date on technology trends, upcoming event details, and other manufacturing news.

 
 

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Still Have Questions?

If you didn't find what you were looking for or still have unanswered questions about SME, click below to find contact information for all of our departments and business units.