The SME Board of Directors is elected by the entire voting membership of SME. It is made up of industry and academic leaders whose diverse backgrounds represent years of experience from a wide array of manufacturing disciplines. Acting as the governing body of SME, it has the power to establish business policy for SME, order and conduct professional meetings, and guide its member units. The Board has absolute budget authority and complete responsibility for SME's property.

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Officers

President

Vincent W. Howell Sr., FSME, CMfgE
Corning Inc. (retired)

Vincent W. Howell Sr., FSME, CMfgE, has 40 years of manufacturing engineering and management experience spanning process industries (liquid-crystal display glass) and electronics manufacturing. Howell led a team of engineers, manufacturing technologists and scientists in the design, development and implementation of LCD glass-automated inspection technology, which continues to be an important innovation for LCD glass manufacturing processes. During his career at Corning Inc., Howell held positions of increasing responsibility, and was presented with the Display Technologies Division Engineering People Development Award for distinguished leadership and workforce development, and the Six Sigma Golden Eagle Award for excellence in leadership for continuous improvement. He currently serves on the faculty of Elmira College graduate school teaching courses in strategic planning, project management and business ethics. Elected an SME Fellow in 2013, Howell has served as a chapter and SME Member Council leader and as a member of SME’s International Director/Member Council Nominating Committee. Howell is a two-time past president of the Process Industries Division of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) and has been active in the Association for Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE). In 2011, ATMAE presented him with its Industry Innovation Award “in recognition of innovation, demonstrated leadership and superior performance through the creation and management of technology.” As an inductee into the Epsilon Pi Tau (EPT) Honor Society, Howell was honored with the William E. Warner Award for “exemplary achievements as a practitioner in applied engineering.” He holds two patents, authored a book focused on engineering continuing education, and has contributed broadly to engineering literature (he contributed a chapter in the International Encyclopedia of Robotics, which received the Best Reference Book Award for an engineering and science book in 1988 by the American Publishers Association.) More recently, Howell contributed a chapter on Fiber Optics, in the Encyclopedia of the Industrial Revolution, 1750-2007. He has written over 40 industry articles and conference presentations, and for the past eight years, Howell has been a featured writer for Ceramic Industry magazine, writing articles on such topics as lean manufacturing, intellectual asset protection and workforce development. Howell holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology – manufacturing (North Carolina A&T State University) and a master’s degree in organization and management (Salve Regina University), a master’s certificate in project management (George Washington University), and a doctorate focused on project management. Howell completed the Executive Management Program at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Salve Regina University presented Howell with its Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award in 2010. He is also a Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (Corning Inc.). SME Member Since 1982

President-Elect

Rebecca R. Taylor
The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences

Rebecca R. Taylor is the chief business and public relations executive for The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, North America's largest nonprofit R&D consortium focused on manufacturing. She is responsible for business development, government relations, and program execution. Taylor is excited about stepping into the unknown, so she is in a leadership position at NCMS — where new and exciting manufacturing capabilities are developed daily. She thrives in leading these teams into the next generation of technological development. Taylor serves on the board for SME and the International Women's Forum of Washington, DC. Taylor is part of the Advisory Board for the World Manufacturing Report and the Scientific Committee of the World Manufacturing Foundation. She is the recipient of the national STEP Award, recognizing outstanding women in science, technology, engineering, and production. Taylor holds a bachelor's degree from George Washington University and a master's degree from the London School of Economics and is planning to lead the next frontier in secure, productive manufacturing. SME Member Since 2014

Vice President

Jeffrey A. Abell, PhD, FSME, CMfgE, PE
General Motors

Jeffrey A. Abell, PhD, FSME, CMfgE, PE, is chief scientist for global manufacturing and director of manufacturing systems research at General Motors. He is responsible for global manufacturing research strategy and implementation at GM, focused on vehicle electrification, lightweight systems manufacturing, automation and smart manufacturing. Abell led a research team that played a key role in bringing the Chevy Volt advanced battery to production and has held other leadership positions in product development and manufacturing at GM, Delphi and DaimlerChrysler, including two international assignments. Abell has written numerous technical publications, been granted several patents and has a strong track record of successful manufacturing technology implementation. He was twice presented with the Boss Kettering Award, GM's highest recognition for technical innovation. Abell has served in various capacities with SME such as a member of the International Awards & Recognition Committee and chair of the Education & Accreditation Committee. He has served on SME’s North American Manufacturing Research Institution (NAMRI) Board of Directors and is an SME Fellow. Abell currently is a member of the Corporate Member Council of the American Society of Engineering Education, the Industry Advisory Board of ASME and the Smart Manufacturing Executive Council of CESMII. He is past chair of the Industrial Advisory Council and former member of the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Abell has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from GMI (now Kettering University), a graduate degree in systems engineering from Oakland University, and is both a licensed professional engineer and an SME Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE). SME Member Since 2006

Secretary/Treasurer

Marie Kissel
Abbott (retired)

Marie Kissel served as a senior advisor, government affairs, at Abbott. Kissel was based in Tokyo and led government affairs activities in Asia for Abbott from 2013-20, as vice president, Asia government affairs and as a senior advisor. Prior to Abbott, she was vice president, government affairs and public policy, Asia Pacific, for Baxter International, based in Shanghai from 2006-13. Kissel has also held various government affairs and trade policy roles in the automotive industry, primarily with DaimlerChrysler, in Washington, D.C., and Singapore. She started her career at the U.S. Department of Commerce in the International Trade Administration`s Office of Antidumping Investigations, followed by the Office of Japan. Kissel serves as an international director on the SME Board of Directors and is a board member of the National Center for APEC, the Japan-America Society of Washington DC and the U.S. board of JCIE (Japan Center for International Exchange). She also chairs AdvaMed’s Japan Reimbursement Working Group. Kissel served as vice president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan from 2015-20 and was appointed an advisor to the board of the American Medical Device and Diagnostics Manufacturers Association from 2019-20. She served on the Board of Governors of the American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai from 2011-13 and on the board of AmCham Singapore. From 2018-19, Kissel was chairperson of the Asia Pacific Council of the American Chambers of Commerce. She attended Sophia University’s Year-in-Japan Program as an undergraduate and holds a bachelor’s degree in government/international affairs and Japanese Language from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University. SME Member Since 2021

International Directors

Jian Cao, PhD, FSME 
Northwestern University

Jian Cao, PhD, FSME, specialized in innovative manufacturing processes and systems, particularly in the areas of deformation-based processes and laser processes. She views manufacturing as an integration platform and has published over 300 technical articles including more than 15 patents. Cao is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Materials Processing Technology and a board member of mHUB, Chicago's first innovation center focused on physical product development and manufacturing. She is a fellow of SME, American Association for the Advancement of Science, ASME and CIRP. Her major awards include Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellow from DoD (2019), Charles Russ Richards Memorial Award (2017) from ASME and Pi Tau Sigma, SME Frederick W. Taylor Research Medal (2016), ASME Blackall Machine Tool and Gage Award (2012, 2018), SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award (2002) and NSF CAREER Award (1997). She served as president of SME's North American Manufacturing Research Institution (NAMRI) (2011-12) and was a program director at the National Science Foundation (2003-05). SME Member Since 1996

Bryan G. Dods, FSME
Oerlikon AM (retired)

Bryan G. Dods has served the manufacturing community for 35 years. A Michigan State University graduate, he began his career at McDonnell Douglas building expertise in assembly, castings, composites, forgings, welding, forming, machining and nondestructive testing. As Boeing’s manufacturing R&D manager, Dods’ teams implemented automation, additive manufacturing tooling and network-enabled manufacturing solutions. As GE Energy’s manufacturing engineering executive, he was responsible for deploying model-based manufacturing, smart manufacturing, and the Advanced Manufacturing Center. As CEO for Manufacturing USA’s IACMI, Dods oversaw membership growth, operational capabilities at five research facilities and launch of membership projects. As executive director at United Technologies, he was responsible for AM talent development and AM preproduction facility startup. As president and general manager of Oerlikon AM, Dods oversaw P&L performance and production qualification of metal additive applications for OEM customers. Along the way, he furthered his education with a master’s degree in materials engineering and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree in mathematical sciences from Indiana University. Dods has been an active member of SME serving on the board of directors for its North American Manufacturing Research Institution (NAMRI), participating in conferences and supporting manufacturing students with corporate projects. Dods is a recipient of the M. Eugene Merchant Manufacturing Medal and an elected SME Fellow. SME Member Since 2010

Winston F. Erevelles, PhD
St. Mary's University

Winston F. Erevelles, PhD, is the President at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX, and served as a dean emeritus and professor of industrial engineering at St. Mary's University's School of Science, Engineering, and Technology. During his 12-year tenure as dean, he led the development and enhancement of the school's STEM education and research capabilities, community and industrial outreach, growth, and reputation. Erevelles' most recent project is an Innovation Center with significant investments in advanced manufacturing. The building is slated for completion in early 2024. Previously, he served as the dean of the School of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science and associate vice president for academic affairs at Robert Morris University; laboratory director and director of the Manufacturing Engineering Program at Kettering University; and a manufacturing engineer and plant manager at Mykron Engineers, India. Erevelles is a past president of SME, serves as an adjunct accreditation director of engineering for ABET, and is a member of the Leadership Advisory Council of the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind. His major awards include the ABET Fellow (2015), the Texas Diversity Council Diversity FIRST Award (2011), the SME Education Award (2008), the Carnegie Science Center Award for Excellence (2005), and the SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award (1996). Erevelles earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Bangalore University and master's and doctoral degrees in engineering management from the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology). SME Member Since 1989

Hitomi Yamaguchi Greenslet, PhD, FSME
University of Florida

Hitomi Yamaguchi Greenslet, PhD, FSME, is a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida. The path that led Greenslet to UF includes positions in industry, national laboratories, and academia both inside and outside her native Japan. She has taught manufacturing engineering throughout her academic career, and Greenslet’s research interests include magnetic field-assisted finishing, abrasive technology, and medical device development. Her work has been published in over 100 refereed journal papers and has been granted 13 patents. Greenslet has received many awards, including the SME John T. Parsons Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award in 2000. She served as the president of the North American Manufacturing Research Institution (NAMRI) for the 2018-19 term. Greenslet is currently the chair of the Scientific Technical Committee for Abrasive Processes of CIRP (the International Academy for Production Engineering). Greenslet has been elected as a fellow of ASME, SME, and CIRP in recognition of her contributions. She is also passionate about working in the areas of manufacturing education and workforce development. Greenslet hosts students (from K-12 to university) in her laboratory and has hosted events where professionals can share their experiences in engineering education and career development. SME Member Since 1997

Ajay “AJ” Malshe, PhD, NAE, FSME
Purdue University

Ajay “AJ” P. Malshe is an R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. His leadership roles at Purdue include being a President’s Fellow and the inaugural director of the Materials and Manufacturing Research Laboratories. He has 40 years of collective professional experience in nanomanufacturing industries as a founder, board member and officer as well as academia. He has gained national and international recognition in advanced manufacturing, bio-inspired design, functional multi-materials, system integration, and productization. Application areas of his contributions include in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM), biomanufacturing for foods, packaging of microelectronics and nanomanufacturing for machines. Malshe has trained more than 1,400 students and mentored numerous engineers for leadership. He has published in excess of 225 papers and has received more than 28 patents resulting in more than 20 award-winning nanomanufactured products applied by leading corporations in energy, defense and aerospace, transportation, EVs and other critical industrial sectors. Malshe has received over 45 prestigious international honors for scientific discoveries, engineering breakthroughs, and product innovations. In 2018, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering “for innovations in nanomanufacturing with impact in multiple industry sectors,” the highest award an engineer can receive.

Melissa Orme, PhD, NAE
The Boeing Company

Melissa Orme is vice president for additive manufacturing at the Boeing Company, where she leads activities across engineering, manufacturing, and new design development to differentiate Boeing products. She is also focused on developing new materials and processes and establishing the digital thread throughout the end-to-end value stream. Orme is a pioneering leader in additive manufacturing, with over three decades of work that have resulted in 15 U.S. patents and numerous peer-reviewed journal articles. Orme began her career in academia, rising to the rank of full professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California, Irvine. There, she established globally recognized research laboratories in what is now known as additive manufacturing. She later transitioned into leadership roles in high-tech startups, serving as chief technical officer of Morf3D, a company specializing in additive manufacturing for aerospace and defense. Orme was then recruited by Boeing to lead additive manufacturing across all business units. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering and was inducted into the TCT Hall of Fame for 3D printing. Orme also received the SME Eli Whitney International Award for Productivity in 2024. SME Member Since 2023

Brett Peters, PhD
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Brett Peters, PhD is a past chair of the SME Member Council and has served on the International Awards and Recognition Committee, Finance Committee, and Nominating Committee. He is a past president of the College-Industry Council on Material Handling Education and has served on the board of directors of Midwest Energy Research Consortium, Milwaukee7’s Next Generation Manufacturing Council, and the REMADE Strategic Advisory Committee. He previously served on the editorial board for SME’s Journal of Manufacturing Systems. He is currently dean of the College of Engineering & Applied Science at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). He received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in industrial and systems engineering from University of Arkansas (UofA) and Georgia Institute of Technology. He spent his faculty career at Texas A&M University (TAMU) progressing through faculty ranks to professor and then served as department head for 10 years prior to moving to UWM. He is a fellow of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. He received the Outstanding Young Alumni award and was inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineering at UofA and has received the SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer award, as well as other distinguished university awards, including the Ford Faculty Fellowship at TAMU. SME Member Since 1994

John Russell, D.Sc., FSME
Fives, Inc.

John Russell, D.Sc., FSME is vice president of business development for defense at Fives, Inc. John identifies opportunities and builds relationships across the defense industrial base for factory equipment needs such as fiber placement, material removal, grinding, gantries, and associated services. 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. Prior to Fives, John retired after a 34-year career at the Air Force Research Laboratory where he held a variety of leadership roles. As chief of the Structures Technology Branch, he led the strategy development and execution of R&D programs in structural design for future military aircraft. Prior to that while in the Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies Division, he advised the division chief on all matters related to the technical strategy for the $100M/yr program. In addition, he was the chairman of the DoD's Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel which coordinates manufacturing technology requirements and strategies across the military services and agencies. Prior to those roles, he was the program panager of the Defense Wide Manufacturing Science and Technology Program on behalf of the office of the secretary of defense. He led planning and execution of manufacturing technology R&D programs to mature cross-cutting defense manufacturing needs. John is a Fellow of SME and The Air Force Research Laboratory. He's a member of SME's AeroDef Conference Executive Committee and led the relaunch of SME's Composites Technical Community. John has a Doctor of Science degree from Washington University in St. Louis. SME Member Since 2017

Tony Schmitz, PhD, FSME
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Tony Schmitz, PhD, FSME, received his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Temple University in 1993, his master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida (UF) in 1996, and his doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from UF in 1999. Tony completed a post-doctoral appointment at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and was employed as a mechanical engineer from 1999-2002. He accepted an appointment in the UF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 2002 and joined the Mechanical Engineering Department at UNC Charlotte in 2011. Tony joined the Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) in 2019 with a joint faculty position at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. His most recent appointment is director of the Southeastern Advanced Machine Tools Network (SEAMTN), a consortium of companies, colleges and universities, national laboratories, non-profit organizations, and the Tennessee state government that seeks to strengthen the U.S. industrial base by investing in machine tool research and development, education, workforce development, and supply chain support. He continues his manufacturing research in support of the U.S. machine tool industry with an emphasis on machining dynamics, metrology, machine learning, and additive manufacturing. SME Member Since 2004.

Jimmy Williams Jr., PhD
ATI Materials

Jimmy Williams Jr. is senior vice president and chief technology officer for ATI Materials. This newly created role elevates technology at ATI with a focus on accelerating progress in product and process technology priorities, aligning them with ATI’s growth strategy. Williams brings significant experience from both industry and academia, with expertise as a business development strategist, operational leader, and technology and innovation manager. He previously served as executive director and distinguished service professor of the Engineering and Technology Innovation Management (ETIM) program at Carnegie Mellon University. The ETIM program is an interdisciplinary master’s degree course offered by Carnegie Mellon’s College of Engineering in collaboration with the university’s Heinz College and Tepper School of Business. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University, an MBA in marketing and management from Lindenwood College, and a doctorate in engineering and policy from Washington University.