Gorham to Step Down as CEO of America Makes

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Rob Gorham, executive director of America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute based here, is stepping down effective May 31.

John Wilczynski, technology director of America Makes, will become acting executive director June 1. Randy Gilmore, NCDMM vice president and chief technology officer, will take on Wilczynski’s previous role as acting technology director.

News of Gorham’s resignation was part of an announcement released Wednesday by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, the Blairsville, Pa., nonprofit that manages America Makes. NCDMM reported the organizational change concurrent with the appointment of Dean L. Bartles as its new president and CEO.

Bartles replaces Ralph Resnick, who is assuming a newly created position of vice president of strategy at NCDMM.

“After six wonderful years at the NCDMM and having the privilege of serving as the America Makes executive director for the past two years, I am resigning effective May 31 to pursue other opportunities,” Gorham said in a statement. “I want to assure everyone that America Makes is as strong as ever as we move into the second half of fiscal 2019 with fiscal 2020 looking even better. The partnerships continue to mature and the progress we are making in the United States additive manufacturing industry amazes me daily. We should all be proud of our accomplishments and have tremendous confidence in the work we are doing together as we move forward.”

Gorham took the helm of America Makes in May 2017.

Wilczynski, in his role as America Makes technical director, facilitated the National Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing Roadmap, the development of an Intellectual Property Management Plan, the execution of the Project Call Process for Agency-Driven and Cooperative Agreement Driven project solicitations, and program management of the America Makes project portfolio, according to the announcement.

No details were provided about finding a permanent replacement for Gorham

Bartles, the new CEO of NCDMM, recently served as president of the National Tooling and Machining Association. His previous positions include director of the John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center at the University of New Hampshire and founding executive director of the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute in Chicago. He also worked for General Dynamics Corp.

“The NCDMM is thriving and these changes simple reflect not only the ongoing evolution of a growing organization, but also the flourishing professional careers of individuals,” Bartles said in a statement.

“Within the defense manufacturing industry, the NCDMM is a highly respected organization, one known for the innovative work and the results that it has achieved to support the defense supply chain. As a board member for years, I anticipate a smooth transition as I’m very aware and familiar with the operations.”

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.