Dean Bartles, PhD, FSME
President & CEO
Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group
Clearwater, Florida

After serving as a board member since 2010, Dean Bartles, PhD, FSME, was named president and CEO of the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining in 2019. In 2020, Bartles formed the parent organization of the Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group where he now serves as the president and CEO. Previously, Bartles served as president of the National Tooling and Machining Association and prior to that he was the director of the John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center at the University of New Hampshire. Bartles was the founding executive director of the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute in Chicago. Before DMDII, he worked for General Dynamics Corp. for 31 years, setting up and running manufacturing operations in Egypt, Turkey and the U.S. Previously, Bartles worked for Fairchild Republic Co. as an industrial engineer on the A-10 Program. Bartles recently served as the 2016-17 president of the North American Manufacturing Research Institution of SME (NAMRI/SME), is the 2016 SME president, the founding chairman of the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition and the chairman of the board of the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining. Bartles graduated from Indiana State University earning his doctorate in technology management with a concentration in manufacturing systems. He currently serves on the boards of the National Small Business Association, the National Institute of Metalworking Skills, the MTConnect Institute, the Industry and Professional Advisory Committee of Penn State’s College of Engineering, as well as the Engineering Technology Advisory Committee of St. Petersburg College where he serves as the 2023 chair. SME Member Since 2002

Avner Ben-Bassat
President & CEO
Plataine Ltd.
Waltham, Massachusetts

Avner Ben-Bassat is the president and CEO of Plataine Technologies Ltd., with over 15 years of experience in the field of complex, multidimensional optimization software for the services and manufacturing segments. Ben-Bassat leads Plataine’s Total Production Optimization product vision and global business strategy. He holds an MBA with distinction from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer sciences, magna cum laude, from Tel Aviv University.

William E. Bigot
Founder & Managing Director
Quantum Consulting, LLC
Shakopee, MN

William E. Bigot is the Founder and Managing Director of Quantum Consulting, LLC, where he leverages extensive experience gained from prominent leadership positions in various organizations to support his clients. Prior to establishing Quantum, Mr. Bigot held key roles including Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Wilder Systems, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Ascent Aerospace, Vice President of Business Development at JR Automation, and Vice President at AIT/Nova-Tech Engineering. Earlier in his career, he served as Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development at PaR Systems.

With over 24 years of experience at MTS Systems Corp., Mr. Bigot was instrumental in advancing the company to a position of global leadership in physical and virtual simulation product development for the aerospace and automotive sectors. His expertise encompasses aerospace, automotive, nuclear, medical, and geo-civil engineering, with a particular focus on the integration of physical testing and virtual simulation, as well as the establishment of the SmartSim Community.

Mr. Bigot holds degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Minnesota, along with an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. He has been a valued member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) since 2015, contributing significantly to the advancement of the industries he serves. 

Jason Bither
Sector Manger, Emerging Programs
Northrop Grumman Corp.
El Segundo, California

Jason Bither is the sector manager for emerging programs at Northrop Grumman Corp. In his current role, Mr. Bither leads a team to develop innovative manufacturing solutions for emerging programs. While at Northrop, he has held leadership roles to define the strategic direction for advanced manufacturing and identify, develop, and deliver innovative and "disruptive" manufacturing capabilities that produce some of the world’s most capable and technologically advanced aerospace systems. He has 25 years of aerospace industry experience leading diverse teams, delivering innovative solutions addressing production technology needs and delivering strategic value to Northrop Grumman and the manufacturing industry. Mr. Bither has a bachelor's degree in structural engineering (aero) from the University of California at San Diego; a certification in project management, California Institute of Technology; a certification in systems engineering, California Institute of Technology; and an SME Member Since 2017

George (Nick) Bullen
Technical Fellow
Chief Engineer, Advanced Manufacturing Technology
Northrop Grumman Corporation

George Nick Bullen is an internationally recognized industry expert for the manufacture of commercial, military, and private fixed and rotary wing air vehicles, rockets, missiles, and space vehicles.  He is the author of six books and has published and presented over 100 articles for international journals and magazines. His work is referenced in over 50 Doctoral thesis.  He has been awarded 13 patents and 2 trade secrets. He is a certified instructor of automation and the digital transformation; and also SME and SAE Fellow.

Kelly Dodds
Senior Director, Raytheon Industry 4.0
Raytheon Technologies Corporation
Los Angeles, California

Kelly Dodds is the senior director, Raytheon Industry 4.0 at Raytheon Technologies where he is responsible for the strategic planning and development of manufacturing technologies, factory modernization and industrial engineering initiatives supporting SAS operations. Before assuming his current role, Dodds was a senior director, advanced manufacturing technology. He started his career at Raytheon in 2001 as a design lead for uncooled IR detector packaging, and since then, Dodds has held positions in numerous functions across Raytheon including supplier quality engineering in operations, as well as supply chain and technology area director in corporate technology and research.

Jennifer Fielding, PhD, FSME
Chief, Ceramics Branch
Air Force Research Laboratory

With 21 years of experience at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Dr. Jennifer Fielding performed research and program management in diverse fields such as polymer composites, multifunctional materials, and additive manufacturing. Dr. Fielding is currently the Chief of the Ceramics Branch, leading a team of over 70 scientists and engineers performing research and development on materials discovery, processing improvement, and performance understanding of ceramics and ceramic matrix composites. She previously served as the Chief of the Composites Branch and the Technical Advisor for the Structures, Propulsion and Manufacturing Enterprise Branch. She served for five years as the Deputy Program Manager for the Defense-wide Manufacturing Science and Technology Program. Dr. Fielding launched America Makes, the first manufacturing institute within the Manufacturing USA network, and served as the government lead in the public-private partnership for over four years. She recently served as Past Chair of SME Member Council, and previously chaired the Additive Manufacturing Community Advisors. Dr. Fielding has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence, the AFMC-level nominee for the Katherine Wright Memorial Award, the Defense Manufacturing Technology Enabler Award, and has been named a Dayton Business Journal 40 Under Forty. She was named a Fellow of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 2023 and will be inducted as an AFRL Fellow in 2024. 

Eric Lalonde, Ph.D.
Domestic Partnership Lead
Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle System Center

Dr. LaLonde is currently the Domestic Partnership Lead at Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle System Center (GVSC) where he focuses on enabling industry partners to engage and collaborate with GVSC. His career experience includes additive manufacturing, materials, technology, and R&D with a focus on enabling new and innovative applications. Dr. LaLonde earned his BS and PhD from Michigan Technological University and MS from Washington State University, all in Materials Science and Engineering.

Michael "Mick" Maher
President & Co-Founder
Maher & Associates LLC
Baltimore, Maryland

Michael "Mick" Maher is the president and co-founder of Maher & Associates LLC, which he co-founded in September 2016 after five years as a program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Prior to this, Maher was chief of the Composite and Hybrid Materials Branch and Materials Applications Branch at the Army Research Laboratory. He has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Loyola University Maryland and attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.

Jeffrey L. "Jeff" Miller, PhD, FSME, CMfgE, PE
Senior Technical Fellow
The Boeing Co.
Seattle, Washington

Jeffrey L. "Jeff" Miller, PhD, FSME, CMfgE, PE, is a senior technical fellow in production engineering at The Boeing Co. He currently leads the Boeing Enterprise Automation Team and Boeing Automation Industry Consortium and has extensive experience in leading innovative technology development through production system implementation. Prior to this role, Miller was in Boeing Research & Technology with assignments in composite fuselage technology and assembly development. Before joining the Boeing Technical Fellowship, he held senior management positions in technology integration for the 787 Dreamliner Program with responsibility for managing the extensive technology portfolio. Miller also led capital equipment and facilities integration for the 787, which was performed in cooperation with a global alliance. Prior to joining Boeing Commercial Airplanes, he led design, construction and activation of launch facilities for the Boeing Delta IV rocket program at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, including planning and activation for the 1.5 million square foot Delta rocket factory in Decatur, Alabama. Miller currently teaches courses in composites materials and processes, manufacturing and technical leadership. He has a doctorate in mechanical engineering and an MBA from the University of Washington, is a registered professional engineer and an SME certified manufacturing engineer. SME Member Since 1990

Stacy Paul
Aerospace Engineer and CEO
Array of Engineers (AoE)

Stacy Paul, Aerospace Engineer and CEO of Array of Engineers (AoE) has worked in the
aerospace and defense industry since 2000 on various projects ranging from the manned space program at NASA to modern commercial aircraft to planetary exploration programs to technical defense platforms. 

She graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1999 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. After graduating she worked for United Space Alliance in Houston, Texas on the Space Shuttle and Space Station program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC). Stacy worked on Day of Launch activities in the Mission Control Room and when she was not planning for a Shuttle launch, worked on Shuttle enhancements. 

Missing Michigan, in 2005 Stacy moved back and then worked on numerous commercial aircraft and defense projects including software development and verification activities along with project management. Following a dream to create a company to promote innovation, personal and professional growth, to help bring more high technology creative engineering jobs to Michigan, and to promote STEM for younger generations, in January of 2018, Array of Engineers was formed with these core goals in mind.

Array of Engineers specializes in automated testing, digital engineering, software, and custom embedded hardware design. AoE empowers our customers with self-sustaining automation capabilities & maximum design flexibility while working in the digital environment. AoE has supported a variety of NASA spacecraft, commercial aerospace projects, and multiple defense programs. When not at AoE, Stacy Paul is most likely found enjoying an outdoors activity with her family and one their many pets, reading a good book, or supporting a STEM activity for the younger generation.

David Rampton
Managing Director, Aerospace & Defense
The Provenance Chain^™ Network

David graduated from Brigham Young University with a Degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology. After an 11-year career in supply chain management at Raytheon Technologies, David launched RampTech Engineering where he has provided technical and operational consulting services to clients in Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, and Software Development. David’s professional focus for the last 15 years has been to optimize supply chain management for Aerospace & Defense Manufacturers – which ultimately has led him to the Provenance Chain Network. At PCN, David is working with the DoD and Defense Industry Base to deliver the warfighter more resilient products born from transparent supply chains. He currently resides in Southern California with his wife and two children.

Ralph L. Resnick, FSME
Advanced Manufacturing Consultant
C3Consulting
Latrobe, Pennsylvania

Ralph L. Resnick, FSME, joined NCDMM in September 2008 as vice president, chief technology officer with more than 35 years of manufacturing experience. He assumed president and CEO in May 2011 and led the NCDMM to win the competitive National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute contract. Upon award, he also assumed the role of acting director of the institute, now known as America Makes, until February 2013. In May 2019, Resnick stepped down as NCDMM president and CEO and was honored as an NCDMM fellow. He is now providing advanced manufacturing consulting. Prior to joining NCDMM, Resnick served as chief technology officer for both The ExOne Co. and Extrude Hone Corp. where he was a major contributor in establishing both organizations as leaders in advanced manufacturing, including such areas as additive manufacturing, process research and development, and technology transition to the world’s factory floors. Resnick holds several patents in manufacturing processes and metrology. He served on the SME Board of Directors and is a former chair and member of the SME International Awards & Recognition Committee and the former president of the North American Manufacturing Research Institute (NAMRI | SME). Resnick also serves on the MTConnect Institute Board of Trustees; the Advisory Board (chairman) for CANRIMT and HI-AM Networks of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; and is a member of the prestigious CIRP (International Academy for Production Engineering). He is a former board member of The Association for Manufacturing Technology; the Louisiana Center for Manufacturing Sciences; former chairman of NCDMM Board of Directors and the National Defense Industrial Association Manufacturing Division. Resnick was elected an SME Fellow in 2010, received the NAMRI | SME Outstanding Lifetime Service Award in 2011 and SME's Donald C. Burnham Manufacturing Management Award in 2021. He has also received the 2018 NDIA Silver Medal for “superior leadership and service” and the America Makes 2019 Distinguished Collaborator Award. SME Member Since 1992

Justin Rivera
Bell Textron Inc. 
Principal Engineer
Fort Worth, TX

Mr. Rivera currently serves as a build team engineer on the Future Long Range Attack Aircraft or FLRAA program at Bell Textron Inc. (“Bell”). Mr. Rivera, in addition to his full-time engineering role at Bell, leads the additive manufacturing strategy team and guides ManTech projects. During his 13-year career at Bell, Mr. Rivera has also served as a reliability & maintainability engineer on the V-22 program, a manufacturing research and development engineer, a build lead for the innovation team, and build team engineer on the Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft or FARA program. Mr. Rivera has one patent and one patent pending at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that directly impacted the development of Bell’s Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) drone. Mr. Rivera is an active member of Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) which he currently serves on the SME Composites Technical Community and SME Executive Conference Committee. Mr. Rivera has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Mathematics from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas (“Texas Tech”). SME member since 2018.

John D. Russell, DSc, FSME
Chief, Structures Technology Branch
Air Force Research Laboratory
Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio

Dr. John Russell joined Fives, Inc in 2023 and was appointed as Vice President of Business Development-Defense. John identifies opportunities and builds relationships across the defense industrial base for factory equipment needs such as automated fiber placement, material removal, automation, and additive manufacturing. He also develops partnerships with universities, consortia, and federal research laboratories to advance the state of the art in manufacturing equipment to bring value to the DoD and the aerospace industry.

Prior to Fives, John retired after a 34 year career at the US Air Force Research Laboratory. As Chief of the Structures Technology Branch from 2020-2023, he led the strategy development and execution of R&D programs in structural design for future military aircraft. Prior to that he served in a variety of leadership roles in the Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies Division.

John is a Fellow of SME and The Air Force Research Laboratory. He led the relaunch of SME's Composites Technical Community and is currently on the SME Board of Directors.

John has a Doctor of Science degree from Washington University in St. Louis. SME Member Since 2017

William "Bill" Saathoff
Director, Emerging Operations Technology
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas

Bill Saathoff is the Director of Emerging Operations Technology for Lockheed Martin Corporation. His current area of responsibility is the development and deployment of emerging Operations Technologies and Processes in support of all our Business Areas current and future programs.

Mr. Saathoff has worked over 25 years at Lockheed Martin in Operations and Engineering roles developing manufacturing technology, methods, systems, and advanced materials. He has worked extensively in key programs such as F35, F22, F16, C130, ADP as well as several years in hypersonics and advance aircraft. Just prior to transitioning to Corporate Operations in 2022, Bill served as Director of Operations Technology for Aeronautics encompassing all of development and deployment efforts in Manufacturing Technology, Manufacturing Systems, and Quality Technologies. He has additionally served as Program Manager for several AFRL funded research programs in Manufacturing Digital transformation efforts as well as IPT lead for early JSF technology efforts, leading key efforts such the industry recognized Airframe Affordability Demonstration, which established technologies and designs to meet JSF affordability and production goals.

After departing Lockheed Martin in 2000 and prior to his return in 2009, Mr. Saathoff spent 10 years in general aviation with Hawker Beechcraft (formally Raytheon Aircraft). During his time there, he served in several roles including Transition to Production Manager for the Premier Business Jet, Plant Director of Composites Manufacturing, Operations Program Manager of the Clean Sheet Hawker 450, and Program Manager of International Production establishing new facilities and suppliers in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and the UK.

Among many external activities representing Lockheed Martin, Bill currently serves on the SME Aerodef Executive Committee, a BOD member at National Center of Mfg. Science (NCMS), Technical Board Member for the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute (ARM), a member of Lockheed Martin Supplier Diversity Council, as well as an active member of Pacific Asian American Network. SME Member Since 2015

John H. Vickers, FSME
Principal Technologist
NASA
Huntsville, Alabama

John H. Vickers, FSME, is currently the NASA principal technologist in advanced materials and manufacturing. He also serves as the associate director of the Materials and Processes Laboratory at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and as the manager of the NASA National Center for Advanced Manufacturing. Vickers has over 30 years of experience in materials and manufacturing ― research and development, engineering and production operations for propulsion, spacecraft and scientific systems. As principal technologist, he leads the nationwide NASA team to develop technology strategies and expand the agency’s capabilities in advanced materials and manufacturing contributing to NASA’s space exploration and science missions. Vickers represents NASA for Manufacturing USA and the National Institute of Standards Office of Advanced Manufacturing. He also co-chairs the NASA Technology Roadmap effort for “Materials, Structures, Mechanisms, and Manufacturing,” which is published by the National Research Council. Vickers was elected an SME Fellow in 2017. His other awards include the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Medal and the AIAA Holger Toftoy Award. Vickers holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. SME Member Since 2015