YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, in collaboration with America Makes, announced Tuesday that Megan Malara has been appointed director of the new Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense.
Malara, a native of the Youngstown area, will lead the hub’s mission to transform the northeastern Ohio region into a global center for advanced manufacturing innovation, workforce development and economic growth. The initiative builds on America Makes’ decade-long legacy and more than $400 million in federal additive manufacturing funding, serving as a national proving ground for next-generation technologies, a news release states.
“What begins in Youngstown is shaping the future of American manufacturing,” Malara said. “I am honored to lead this effort to advance innovation, create opportunities for our workforce and drive impact for our community, our state and our nation.”
Malara previously served as director of the Medical Modeling, Materials, and Manufacturing Division at The Ohio State University’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence, where she led cross-disciplinary teams of engineers and clinicians to develop advanced manufacturing solutions for patient care. She also served as a Legislative Fellow in the U.S. Congress through the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, addressing public health, STEM education and health care financing.
Her leadership extends across the national materials and manufacturing community, including previous service on The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society’s Public & Government Affairs Committee, training more than 200 students in science communication during congressional visit days and advising the Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ Healthcare Additive Manufacturing Technical Community.
“Megan brings a powerful combination of technical expertise, policy experience and industry leadership to this role,” said Jim Fisher, COO and vice president of the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining. “Her vision and track record of impact will help us accelerate innovation at scale, strengthening defense supply chains, fueling workforce development and positioning Youngstown as a national leader in advanced manufacturing.”
The Youngstown Innovation Hub is supported by $26 million from Ohio’s Innovation Hubs Program, established by Gov. Mike DeWine to expand innovation-driven economic growth beyond Ohio’s largest metro areas. Modeled after the innovation districts in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, the program combines academic, industry, government and nonprofit partners to spur high-tech development in regions such as Youngstown. With an additional $36 million in local, federal and private investment, the hub is positioned as a cornerstone of Ohio’s statewide innovation strategy, the release states.
By 2029, the hub is projected to generate $161.6 million in economic output, create 450 high-quality jobs and deliver 185 STEM credentials and 40 internships, establishing Youngstown as a vital engine of U.S. industrial competitiveness, the release states.