Future Proofing NEO Manufacturing: Preparing Supply Chains for the Green Economy Shift

Agenda and Details

Speakers

Welcome Remarks

Michael Baston is the fifth president of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a national thought leader on the role of community colleges in shaping educational success, supporting regional workforce needs and economic growth, championing diversity, equity and inclusion reforms, and developing executive leadership teams.

As Tri-C president, Baston focuses on strengthening the College’s mission of providing high-quality, affordable and accessible education and services. Since becoming president in July 2022, he has promoted access and success for the 41,000 credit and noncredit students attending Tri-C’s four campuses and other locations throughout the Cleveland area.

Leadership and Honors

As a national Guided Pathways and Equity Transfer Initiative coach for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and for the Racial Equity for Adult Credentials in Higher Education Collaborative (REACH), Baston is noted for his work with leadership teams at two- and four-year colleges across the nation, helping them integrate student success initiatives to advance college completion and successful labor market entry.

Among many other professional honors and activities, Baston received the National Council on Student Development’s Terry O’Banion Gold Prize in 2015 and the NAACP Community Leadership Award in 2010.
Baston also serves on numerous national boards and committees, including the Rising Presidents Fellowship for Community College Excellence at the Aspen Institute and the advisory board for the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE). He is a fellow and member of the Council on Equitable AI for Complete College America and serves on the board of directors for the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurs (NACCE) and the League for Innovation.

Baston is a trustee of Columbia University’s Teachers College, serves on the advisory board for the College Board, is a member of the board of directors at Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School in New York City, and is a member of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). At the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), Baston is a member of the Editorial Advisory
Board for the Trusteeship magazine.

In Northeast Ohio, his board service includes the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the United Way of Greater Cleveland, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Team NEO, Playhouse Square, the Downtown Cleveland Alliance and Downtown Cleveland Inc., Unify Jobs/Unify Labs, the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region and Bluecoats Inc. He is also a member of the Cleveland Leadership Center’s Leadership Cleveland Class of 2024.

Baston has garnered numerous awards and recognitions for his achievements. They include Crain’s Cleveland Business Power 150 list, the Blacks in Management Excellence in Leadership Award and the Who’s Who in Black Cleveland award. The Cleveland Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference also honored him with the 2023 Educator of the Year award.

Career

Before leading Ohio’s largest community college, Baston served as the president of Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York. During his tenure (2017-2022), he led numerous initiatives to spur growth and increase educational pathways. Under his guidance, the college launched a new hospitality and culinary arts center, developed career and English skills academies to address middle-skill workforce needs, and significantly increased grants, capital and other funding.

Before joining Rockland Community College, Baston was the vice president of Student Affairs and associate provost at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, New York.

Baston began his career as an attorney, representing various educational institutions and social justice organizations. His work with academic clients led him to pursue a second career in academics, both as a professor of legal studies and business and as a student affairs administrator.

Education

Baston holds a B.A. from Iona University, a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and an Ed.D. from St. John Fisher University.

---

Sophia Long is the Manager of Industry and Innovation at Team NEO. With a diverse background, she began her career as an engineer at multiple Fortune 50 companies in Aerospace, Oil and Gas, and MedTech. In 2023, Sophia transitioned to Economic Development, where she now oversees the Smart Manufacturing Cluster of Northeast Ohio, focusing on amplifying regional initiatives.

Building on significant regional assets and expertise, Sophia is dedicated to elevating Northeast Ohio as a world leader in smart manufacturing. In her first year in this role, she has secured $250,000 in funding to expand regional smart manufacturing capacity, managed 93 new partnership referrals between manufacturers and the Smart Manufacturing Cluster leadership, and increased engagement and visibility by over 6600% through strategic outreach and communication. Her passion for driving innovation through collaboration and her strategic vision have enabled her to help manufacturers of all sizes—from small businesses to global enterprises—effectively adopt smart manufacturing technologies and develop digital capabilities.

---

Industry Update

Steve Fritsch leads the deployment of Team NEO’s industry strategy, which includes business development, cluster advancement, and network engagement activities that support growth, innovation, resilience, and competitiveness in targeted industry sectors and the integrated supply chains that serve them. In his more than 18 years at Team NEO, he has been a key part of standing up a network ecosystem towards greater collaboration among industry, institution, and economic development partners in advanced manufacturing, sustainable polymers, energy storage, digital transformation, and water innovation across the 14-county Northeast Ohio Region.

Prior to this role, Steve was Vice President of Marketing and Engagement, leading an inclusive initiative to positively and uniquely position Team NEO and the region, including the Northeast Ohio Region brand currently being utilized by partners throughout the region. He currently leads Northeast Ohio’s Smart Manufacturing Cluster, bringing a sector approach and a network system orientation to his work by engaging partners and stakeholders early, leveraging each’s unique capabilities to lift the collective effort. He is a strategic relator, able to connect and unite to achieve greater impact. Through his teams’ efforts, Team NEO’s Smart Manufacturing Cluster and Industry Advancement Council have emerged as a venue for company leaders to share insights, build alignment, drive performance, and advance inclusion. 

Steve currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Urban League of Greater Cleveland and has served on the Board of Directors of the Ohio Economic Development Association and the Industrial Asset Management Council Demographics Committee. Steve graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences. He is actively involved in the United Methodist Church of Kent and resides with his family in Hudson, Ohio.

---

Opening Keynote

Josh is a Managing Director in KPMG’s US Sustainability practice with nearly 20 years of broad-based, strategic consulting experience. Josh works with both public and private clients across numerous sectors to design practical strategies balancing environmental, financial, and operational considerations.

His primary focus is on helping clients that have large, complex supply chains – Industrials, Transit, Energy, Healthcare, and more – establish or refine their sustainability strategies to meet their enterprise objectives. This involves a suite of solutions including decarbonization, climate & resilience planning, data analytics, valuation, and reporting technology.

Josh also helps lead sustainability delivery for our Private Equity globally, ensuring that the tools and approaches that KPMG has developed in collaboration with some of the largest firms in the world are available at the firm, fund, and portfolio company level.

---

Panel Discussion

Eric currently serves as Chief Transformation Officer at KPMG, LLP. In his role, Eric leads the Transformation Enablement Office, to continue to drive the firm’s transformation initiatives with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement. Eric has joined Operations from Advisory where he has led the national operations center of excellence and served as the U.S. lead for the firm’s Global Industry 4.0 initiatives. Eric has served C-suite clients at Fortune 200 companies in cost management, supply chain optimization, procurement, and operating strategy. Eric has more than 20 years of experience working in the Industrial Manufacturing sector and leading projects that focus on supply chain optimization, manufacturing strategy and operational effectiveness. He is also the Partner sponsor and lead of KPMG’s Cleveland Inclusion and Diversity Council, as well as the lead of the Diversity Council for the Columbus Hub, which includes the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Louisville offices. He joined the firm in 2016 and has served as Principal since 2018 until his transition to the Chief Transformation Officer role in 2023.

Prior to working at KPMG, Eric held the position of Vice President and General Manager of Special Metals Welding Products Company in Newton, North Carolina, a subsidiary of Precision Castparts Corporation (PCC). Previously at PCC, he held positions of Vice President of Commercial at the PCC Revert Group, General Manager of McWilliams Forge Company, Division Manager at Huntington Alloys, and Vice President of Business Strategy for PCC Forged Products. Prior to PCC he was an Executive Advisor for international strategy firm, Booz and Company. He has also worked in various positions in metallurgy, quality, and operations in the steel industry for LTV Steel, International Steel Group, and NorthStar BHP Steel.

Throughout his career and life, Eric has also maintained a dedication to community and civic service. In Cleveland he currently sits on the boards of Team NEO, Esperanza, Inc. and is Board President of Journey Center for Safety and Healing. Nationally, he has served on the National Advisory Council of “A Better Chance, Inc.,” a program that helps place underprivileged minority students into top notch secondary schools. Eric has previously been recognized by A Better Chance, as a “Rising Star” and Crain’s Cleveland Business as a member of the 2011 “40 under 40” class.

Eric holds a Bachelor of Science degree in materials science and engineering from Stanford University in Stanford, California and a Masters of business administration degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

---

Scott Buchanan is an accomplished EHS executive with a comprehensive background in global operations, continuous improvement, and cultivating safety cultures. As the Vice President of EHS at Avient Corporation, he directs global environmental, health, safety, operational sustainability, product stewardship, global trade, and quality initiatives. His significant contributions include a 69% reduction in injury severity, the seamless integration of multiple acquisitions, and the implementation of various safety and sustainability programs.

Previously, Buchanan held multiple leadership roles at PolyOne Corporation, including Director of EHS and Operations Director, where he drove notable enhancements in safety, productivity, supply chain and cost efficiencies. His career also encompasses positions in plant management, technology and engineering where he spearheaded significant process improvements and capital projects.

Buchanan holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville and is an active member of several professional associations including the Greater Cleveland Partnership and the Manufacturing Alliance. His expertise spans strategic planning, continuous improvement, organizational development, change management, leadership training, operations management, associate engagement, board interactions, regulatory compliance, global trade management, product stewardship, and quality management.

---

Cory Garlickis Vice President leading our North America industry teams that serve our customers, improving the quality of life by making them and the world more productive and sustainable. Our Industry teams are focused on accelerating profitable top-line growth by delivering high-value business outcomes for our customers.

Cory joined Rockwell Automation in 2001 and has held multiple leadership roles across the company.Most recently, he served as Director of Intelligent Devices Business Segment after leading our Global Enterprise Account Program and serving as the Global Enterprise Manager for Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Cory holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Management from Ohio University and earned an Executive MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western University.

---

Brandy Johnson has built a reputation for dynamically leading operational transformations, driving improved project execution, and for successfully implementing high-performance teams focused on optimizing service to customers and continual product and service development. She is responsible for all technology development across The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W), including the commercialization and deployment of its game-changing BrightLoop™ hydrogen production technology.

Johnson has more than 25 years of business leadership experience. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Kent State University. She is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio. She is also a contributing author of the 41st edition of Steam/its generation and use. Published by B&W, it is the world’s longest continually published engineering textbook of its kind.

---

Proud to be from northeast Ohio, Raymond Somich has done business on six-continents with nearly 25 years in advanced manufacturing and chemicals. Raymond has worked in business enterprises large and small with experience in business strategy, new product innovation, marketing, sales, supply chain, management and global commercial leadership. Raymond joined Synthomer in 2019 and is a two-time winner of the Synthomer Foundation Community Leadership award. Beyond chemicals, Raymond’s diverse business background includes broadcast communications, hospitality management, sports marketing, and construction infrastructure. He spent nearly 20-years with The Dow Chemical Company in business units now with Dupont, Corteva, Celanese, and Olin Corporation.

Raymond serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Technology Chemistry Council, and the Vice Chair for the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub, which is recognized by the White House and the US Economic Development Administration. He actively supports STEM education, youth talent development, and serves on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council for the Akron Public Schools. Raymond is a member of the American Marketing Association and
The Chemists Club.

Raymond has a Masters in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University and holds a Six-Sigma Green Belt. He resides in Geauga County, Ohio and is married with four children. Raymond enjoys good coffee, cooking, fitness, and quality time with family and friends.

---

Interactive Roundtable Discussions

Dr. Ethan Karp is an expert in transforming companies and communities. As President and CEO of MAGNET, he has helped hundreds of manufacturing companies grow through technology, innovation and talent. Dr. Karp is passionate about driving economic prosperity in Northeast Ohio. He’s a committed change-maker and community builder. He serves as Board Chair of Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Workforce Development and as a director on the boards of the following organizations: American Small Manufacturers Coalition, Cleveland Leadership Center, MidTown Cleveland, Inc., Cleveland Jewish Publication Company, and the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland.

Dr. Karp is a recognized thought leader and a frequent national media commentator on the future of manufacturing in America, particularly through his regular column on Forbes.com. Before joining MAGNET in 2013, he worked with Fortune 500 companies at McKinsey & Co. Dr. Karp received undergraduate degrees in biochemistry and physics from Miami University and a Ph.D. in Chemical Biology from Harvard University. He currently resides in Cleveland with his wife and three daughters.

---

---

Closing Keynote

Glenn Richardson is the Managing Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace for JobsOhio, the state of Ohio’s private economic development company.  Glenn’s responsible for leading the state’s economic development network to help existing Ohio manufacturing and aerospace companies grow, and to attract new companies to the state.  Glenn has been with JobsOhio for nine years, nearly since the company’s inception in 2011.

Glenn is an experienced operations and engineering leader and has worked in the aerospace, automotive and energy industries. Prior to JobsOhio, he worked for Rolls-Royce Energy Systems, Inc. as Vice President of the Packaging and Driven Equipment Supply Chain Unit. Glenn has also worked for the Dana Corporation as the VP of Off-highway, Americas and China and with Honeywell in various positions primarily with their Aerospace business unit.

Glenn earned his MBA and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. 

---

Kelleigh Ash serves as Battle Motors’ Chief Technology Officer (CTO), bringing over two decades of distinguished experience in the automotive and trucking sectors. With several degrees, including a PhD in Organizational Leadership focused on Automotive Engineering, Kelleigh seamlessly integrates academic excellence with hands-on expertise. Her career has been defined by pivotal leadership roles within prominent automotive manufacturers, where she played a crucial role in driving industry advancements.

A staunch advocate for innovation, Kelleigh channels her passion for automobiles through active participation in the SEMA Emerging Trends and Technologies Network (ETTN) Select Committee. Her contributions have been instrumental in shaping industry standards and exploring cutting-edge developments. With a remarkable portfolio boasting over 45 patents, she has cemented her reputation as a pioneering force in automotive technology.

Kelleigh’s dedication and talent have garnered prestigious accolades, including the SEMA Top 35 Under 35 award on two occasions. At Battle Motors, she leads with dynamic expertise, steering the company towards groundbreaking achievements in the electric trucking sector. Her visionary leadership continues to propel Battle Motors to new heights of innovation and success in the automotive industry.

---

Closing Remarks

As Chief Executive Officer of Team NEO, Bill Koehler is focused on seeing the Northeast Ohio Region grow and thrive. He’s a collaborative economic development advocate and business leader working to create economic vibrancy in Northeast Ohio by advancing understanding of the talent gap, enhancing site preparedness, building supply chain resilience, accelerating the impact of innovation, and promoting the region as a business destination.

Leveraging more than 25 years’ experience in corporate financial services, for-profit board and private company investor roles, and education-focused not-for-profit boards and committees, Bill engages the economic development network to create coordinated, regional business development strategies to attract new business and help current Northeast Ohio companies grow.

Under Bill’s leadership, Team NEO has a track record of exceeding performance metrics for completed business investment projects in the Northeast Ohio Region. Team NEO has worked on 627 projects that will generate more than 46,000 new jobs, $2.4B in annual payroll and $11.6B in capital investments, related to JobsOhio’s financial incentive programs, since 2015.

Prior to joining Team NEO, Bill served as President of Key Community Bank, where he led 9,000 employees across 14 states. During his banking career, Bill worked with private and public middle market companies. He earned a Master of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from Columbia University’s Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Harvard University.

Bill serves on a number of education-related, non-profit boards and committees including Col­lege Now of Greater Cleveland, Friends of Breakthrough Charter Schools, Urban Community School, and is the former Board Chair of St. Ignatius High School. His accolades include the Northeast Ohio Smart Business Smart 50 Awards and Crain’s Power 150, recognizing the most influential leaders positioned to move the Northeast Ohio Region forward.