MANUFACTURER & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION TRAINING SCHEDULE

How you need it. When you need it. Where you need it.

Considered a leader in professional development and computer training for more than 25 years, the Manufacturer & Business Association offers you the ease and flexibility of onsite training for your group.

ONSITE CONVENIENCE:

Nothing beats the convenience of training conducted at your facility. Let our expert instructors bring the training you need, when you need it, where you need it.

CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS:

From full-day to half-day programs, all of our courses can be tailored to address your organization’s specific needs.

FOCUSED INTERACTION:

Facilitated by our training specialists, your employees’ experience is further enhanced through group discussion on key topic areas specific to your company’s work environment.

For more information about onsite training programs, contact Tracy Daggett, PHR, Manager of Professional Development Training Services at 800/815-2660, 814/833-3200 or visit mbausa.org.

Gannon Names Vice President For University Advancement

Gannon University recently named Nancy Bird as the institution’s next vice president for University Advancement. Bird began her role May 1.

In this role, she will be responsible for leading and managing University Advancement in evaluating, planning, designing, and developing advancement and fundraising-related initiatives to support the university’s strategic goals, Mission and Catholic tradition.

“Nancy’s experience across all areas of the advancement and fundraising sector, along with her leadership as well as her terrific knowledge and love for Gannon’s Mission and community tradition and culture instills confidence that she will continue to successfully propel Gannon forward into our next century,” said President Keith Taylor, Ph.D. “She will be a transformative leader in continuing the execution of Gannon’s current $100 million Capital Campaign and planning for our centennial anniversary in 2025.”

Bird previously worked at Gannon from July 2014 to June 2019 — first as director of Alumni Services and then as director of Alumni Engagement. She returned to Gannon last November after serving as the director of Alumni Development at Penn State for three years at the University Park campus, where she managed development functions for the largest dues-paying alumni organization in the world with 174,000 members. She brings additional constituent relations, advancement, and special events experience from Cathedral Prep / Villa Maria Academy in roles prior to those with Gannon and Penn State.

Bird, who is currently Gannon’s director of Constituent Engagement, succeeds Barbara Beuscher, who announced she has accepted a position as an executive in health-care philanthropy in central Wisconsin.

Ellwood Announces Partnership With Retired Major General To Extend Ellwood Integrated Advantage

ELLWOOD recently announced a new strategic partnership. Major General Cameron G. Holt, U.S. Air Force (Retired), will work closely with ELLWOOD’s senior leadership team on strategic initiatives in defense and commercial market sectors, bringing with him significant experience and knowledge on the intersection of government and industry in support of national security.

General Holt recently completed 32 years of military service, serving his last four years as the deputy assistant secretary for Contracting, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. In that capacity, he oversaw a global contracting portfolio valued more than $825 billion as well as the training, organizing, and equipping of more than 8,000 contracting experts executing the full range of operational, enterprise sourcing, and major weapons systems contracting worldwide. He serves on the Board of Directors of the National Contract Management Association and as a member of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Reform Task Force, sponsored by the American Society of Military Comptrollers. After serving as the U.S. Air Force’s most senior contracting officer, Holt created Holt Consulting Group LLC to work with companies such as ELLWOOD “to bring together the best of America — industrialists, technologists and capital investors with innovative problem solvers in government to tilt the scales in favor of America and her allies against the adversaries of freedom.”

“ELLWOOD has unmatched capacity and capability across the Western Hemisphere — the perfect partner not just for existing product lines but also to leverage innovation and cutting-edge technologies,” Holt said. General Holt listed a number of determining factors when selecting ELLWOOD as one of a very select group of Holt Consulting Group, LLC partners: rock solid ethics; commitment to fair competition; proven commercial business foundation; and unparalleled capacity and capability. All this coupled with patriotic family ownership committed to reinvesting in their community and their team members made the opportunity to partner that much more appealing to Holt.

“We are fortunate to have General Holt on board. His experience, knowledge and deep understanding of global market forces and large-scale project management will be invaluable to ELLWOOD as we work to deepen our partnerships with the Department of Defense and strategic global OEMs,” said Ben Huffman, ELLWOOD president and CEO. “Holt Consulting Group will amplify our ability to leverage our ELLWOOD Integrated Advantage — materials technologies, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and world-class team — to help our customers win in the markets they serve.”

ERIEZ® PROMOTES BLICHA TO VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL MARKETING & BRAND MANAGEMENT

Eriez® recently announced the promotion of John Blicha to vice president, Global Marketing & Brand Management. He will spearhead Eriez’ worldwide marketing and go-to-market sales strategies, according to President and CEO Lukas Guenthardt.

Blicha joined Eriez in 2012 as Marketing Communications manager and served most recently as senior director, Global Marketing and Brand Management. “John has made significant contributions to the company throughout his career at Eriez,” says Guenthardt. “With his tenacity and talent, he has built and shaped a dynamic global marketing team that is well-prepared to successfully lead the organization into the future.”

Guenthardt emphasizes that Blicha’s deep knowledge of Eriez’ many products, varied markets, and diverse cultures empower his team to craft and carry out effective initiatives that resonate with audiences and align with the company’s strategic objectives.

“During his time with Eriez, John has helped to grow the company’s revenue and maximize its market share, while also improving the customer experience and elevating the Eriez brand on the worldwide stage,” says Guenthardt. He adds, “In his new role, John’s aptitude for change management and innovative approaches to marketing and sales strategies will further strengthen Eriez’ ability to design and deliver the right solutions to our global markets.”

Blicha holds two degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania: a Bachelor of Science in marketing and a Bachelor of Science in management. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from California University of Pennsylvania. Established in 1942, Eriez is a global leader in separation technologies. Headquartered in Erie, Eriez designs, manufactures, and markets on six continents through 12 wholly owned international subsidiaries and an extensive sales representative network.