After eight years of leading SME, and 10 years of being part of SME’s staff leadership team, executive director/CEO Mark Tomlinson, CMfgE, EMCP, along with the organization’s Board of Directors, is pleased to announce efforts to begin a nationwide search to identify the organization’s next leader. Tomlinson, along with SME’s Executive Committee, will play a key role in this important transition for SME.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside so many incredibly talented professionals from across the industry, as well as a truly dedicated staff,” said Tomlinson. “Manufacturing, SME, and the stakeholders serving this great industry had to overcome many challenges in my tenure. I believe we, SME, are positioned to provide products and services that allow the manufacturing industry to continue to grow as a vital part of a thriving economy.”

SME launched its new brand identity in June 2013 along with its new strategic plan aimed at meeting the ever-changing needs of SME’s members, the manufacturing industry, and the current and next-generation manufacturing workforce.

“SME will continue to build on its 80-year history, its wide range of products and services, its talented and dedicated staff, and its outstanding network of volunteers,” said SME president Dennis Bray, PhD, FSME. “The global challenges and rapidly changing workforce demographics make the things that SME does for manufacturing so important, and we are committed to meeting the needs and helping to lead manufacturing for the future. Mark has been a valuable contributor and leader in making SME successful during his many years of involvement with SME, and we thank him for his dedicated service and extend our best wishes to him.”

In his final months with the organization, SME leadership has asked Tomlinson to continue to manage SME’s day-to-day operations, and to continue to serve as a recognized industry leader and spokesperson during the search for its next leader.

“Over the next several months, and beyond, SME will remain focused on the continued development and delivery of its 2017 strategic goals, and will remain at the leading edge of the issues and opportunities associated with manufacturing,” said Tomlinson. “I want to thank our entire leadership team past and present for their support, advice, and knowledge. I have truly learned from all of you.”

The search for Tomlinson’s replacement will begin immediately.

SME connects all those who are passionate about making things that improve our world. As a nonprofit organization, SME has served practitioners, companies, educators, government, and communities across the manufacturing spectrum for more than 80 years. Through its strategic areas of events, media, membership, training and development, and the SME Education Foundation, SME shares knowledge to advance manufacturing.

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