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Join us for our 2026 Symposium:
From Prototype to Production

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Towson University in Northeastern Maryland (TUNE)
510 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, MD 21015

PanelistsAgenda & Session Descriptions
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Keynote Speaker: Dr. Suresh Babu

Clark Distinguished Chair and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
University of Maryland College Park

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Agenda & Session Descriptions

Click to Download Session Description Flyer PDF

Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Suresh Babu

Clark Distinguished Chair and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
University of Maryland College Park

Dr. Sudarsanam (Suresh) Babu is Clark Distinguished Chair Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Maryland. With 33 years of experience in advanced manufacturing, welding metallurgy, additive manufacturing, and computational materials science, he has published over 280 papers and is a fellow of AAAS, ASM, AWS, and SME. He previously held leadership roles at ORNL, the Ohio State University, and the University of Tennessee, and served as a member of the National Science Board from 2020 to 2026.

Panelists
  • Eric Adams, U.S. Army DEVCOM C5ISR
  • Dr. Suresh Babu, University of Maryland
  • Randy Behm, Phillips Corporation
  • Scott Bernetich, SURVICE Engineering
  • David Bjornberg, Compass Systems
  • Andreas Bujanda, U.S. Army Research Lab
  • Chris Cosgrove, SURVICE Engineering
  • John Fitzell, RPM Tech
  • Luke Granger, Utilitrain
  • Dr. Heather Handler, Cecil County Public Schools
  • Ron Hill, Hill Tech Solutions
  • Paul Kramer, JR Automation, a Hitachi company
  • SJ Jones, Northrop Grumman
  • Kim Justus, Susquehanna Workforce Network
  • Mike Kelleher, Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership
  • Matt Kelly, Cutting Edge Automation
  • Daniel Scott Mitchell, Takton
  • Steve O’Connor, AirClear
  • Greg Paulsen, Guidehouse
  • Michael Pecota, CTR, U.S. Navy Sea Systems Command
  • Samad Saifudin, ThresholdStack
  • Dr. Stuart Savin, Harford Community College
  • Tracy Wettig, TriMech
  • Jian Yu, U.S. Army DEVCOM C5ISR
  • Corey Zamenski, Veritech
Dr. Sudarsanam (Suresh) Babu is Clark Distinguished Chair Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Maryland. With 33 years of experience in advanced manufacturing, welding metallurgy, additive manufacturing, and computational materials science, he has published over 280 papers and is a fellow of AAAS, ASM, AWS, and SME. He previously held leadership roles at ORNL, the Ohio State University, and the University of Tennessee, and served as a member of the National Science Board from 2020 to 2026.
John Fitzell has worked in 3D printing and prototyping for the last 10 years. He has worked on all manner of machines from custom home built tools intended for a very specific purpose to full industrial workflows. He works at RPM Tech, a design and prototype engineering company where projects range from concept development for small startups to long term development of full medical devices. Tracy Wettig is a Technical Manager for TriMech, CSWE Elite, SOLIDWORKS Champion, recipient of the 2022 SWUGN Application Engineer of the Year Award, and has presented user breakout and hands on sessions at ten SOLIDWORKS / 3DEXPERIENCE World conferences. She earned her BS Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Texas in Arlington and her work history includes running and documenting her FEA studies for nuclear reactors for the United States Department of Energy.
Luke Granger is the CEO and President of Utilitrain, bringing more than 20 years of experience in utility contracting, transmission and distribution, safety, and workforce development. A Maryland Licensed Master Electrician, Luke has held senior roles in operations, safety, training, and business development, overseeing large-scale utility projects and workforces of more than 70 employees. At Utilitrain, he combines his extensive field experience and leadership background to prepare the next generation of utility professionals for safe, skilled careers in the industry.
Dr. J. Heather Handler is the Program Coordinator for Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Cecil County Public Schools, bringing 19 years of experience across Florida, Delaware, and Maryland. A former U.S. Navy Search and Rescue Swimmer, she is a leader in STEM and career‑focused education, shaping innovative middle and high school programs. She launched Cecil County’s Youth Apprenticeship Program, expanded district‑wide robotics, and partnered with a Lineman School to create Maryland’s first Summer Lineworker Program. Her work earned her the 2025 Regional MCTA Administrator of the Year award, reflecting her commitment to expanding pathways for all students.
Ron Hill is a CISSP-certified cybersecurity leader with over 25 years of experience helping organizations modernize IT infrastructure, strengthen security, and achieve compliance. As a Lead Certified CMMC Assessor (LCCA), Principal Consultant, and owner of Hill Tech Solutions, he guides SMBs and government contractors through CMMC readiness, risk management, and scalable technology strategies. Ron also facilitates peer groups, fostering collaboration among security professionals. His expertise blends deep technical knowledge with a practical, people-focused approach to cybersecurity.
SJ Jones is a Principal Manufacturing Engineer with Northrup Grumman, helping tackle the challenges and opportunities of the next generation large format LPBF machines. Experienced in a wide array of disciplines, SJ’s technical specialties include computational design, print simulation, in situ monitoring, support design, topology optimization, light weighting, lattice work, and generative design.
Kimberly Justus, CWDP, GCDF, is the Executive Director of the Susquehanna Workforce Network. With a steadfast dedication to workforce development, she began her tenure with SWN in 2012, contributing significantly to the BRAC response initiative. Kim holds certifications as a Resume Writer, Workforce Development Professional, and Global Career Development Facilitator, showcasing her deep expertise in the field. She earned her Bachelor’s in Mathematics and Economics from Temple University in Philadelphia. Before joining SWN, Kim’s career was centered around education, influenced by her experiences as an Army wife, which necessitated frequent relocations. She has taught high school mathematics and managed the Math and Science Tutoring Center at Northern Virginia Community College’s Woodbridge Campus. Kim is married and has two sons and a daughter-in-law. She is also a proud grandmother to three wonderful preschool-aged grandchildren.
Michael Kelleher is the CEO of the Maryland MEP, a non-profit committed to growing and strengthening Maryland’s manufacturers and building the manufacturing ecosystem. He oversees all aspects of the organization and its array of programs and services that help local manufacturers operate more efficiently and grow profitably. Under the direction of Mr. Kelleher, MD MEP has generated more than $2 billion in economic impact for Maryland and created more than 4,000 jobs. Mr. Kelleher holds a degree in accounting from the University of Maryland and has been a business owner and strategic advisor for the manufacturing sector, leading several successful startup and consulting organizations over the last 25 years. He is the father of 5 and is very active in the community, serving on several advisory boards, volunteering as part of the Howard County Youth Apprenticeship Program, and coaching club lacrosse.
Matt Kelly is President and Owner of Cutting Edge Automation, a Maryland-based systems integrator that designs, builds, and integrates completely custom automation systems for manufacturers. Cutting Edge specializes in robotics, machine vision, controls, material handling, and turnkey production equipment tailored to each application. Throughout his career, Matt has been involved in the development and deployment of more than 200 robotic systems, bringing hands-on experience in applying automation to improve productivity, quality, consistency, and workforce utilization.
Benjamin (Ben) McGlaughlin brings more than 30 years of leadership experience, including 20 years in manufacturing and 10 in production-line automation. A former manufacturing CEO and automation company partner, he led business transformations, facility expansion, acquisitions, and growth. At the Maryland Department of Commerce, Ben develops programs and partnerships supporting manufacturers through funding, technology adoption, workforce development, and operational improvement. He holds a B.S. from West Chester University and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a CESMII Certified Roadmapping Professional.
Daniel Scott Mitchell is co-founder and CTO of Takton. A mechanical engineer, he built his career in advanced manufacturing at Tesla and Rivian before co-founding Takton, where he leads development of fast, affordable technology for small and midsize manufacturers. He has visited more than 200 manufacturers across the U.S. and co-hosts The Next Byte podcast.
Steven Michael O’Connor is the Head of Marketing at Air Clear LLC, a Maryland manufacturer of industrial air pollution control systems. He leads marketing, communications, and business development, helping connect manufacturers with technologies that strengthen environmental compliance and sustainability. A graduate of the University of Tennessee’s Media Arts program with additional studies at NYU Tisch, Steven began his career in television before becoming an awardwinning visual artist in Los Angeles. He now blends creativity with manufacturing, partnering with educators and workforce organizations to help students explore advanced manufacturing and discover pathways to meaningful, skillbased careers.
Greg Paulsen bridges technology, advanced manufacturing (AdvM), and strategy to solve complex challenges in commercial, defense, and industrial innovation. As an Associate Director at Guidehouse, he helps government and industry accelerate AdvM adoption and strengthen the defense industrial base. Previously, he spent 12 years at Xometry, shaping its AI‑driven manufacturing marketplace across BD, Product, Operations, and Solutions Engineering. He’s passionate about translating complex technical concepts and connecting emerging technologies with mission needs.
Mike Pecota served as an electronics technician on H-60 helicopters and intermediate-level repair while on active duty. Since 2015, he has helped stand up the Additive Manufacturing/Digital Thread Integrated Product Team at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and now serves as Contract Support for the Navy Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). He holds several additive manufacturing certifications from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Penn State, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
Stuart J. Savin, Ed.D., is a higher education and workforce development executive with nearly 30 years of leadership experience spanning community colleges, career and technical education, workforce development, industry, and adult and continuing education. He currently serves as Associate Vice President for Workforce and Continuing Education at Harford Community College, where he leads workforce training, career and technical education, apprenticeships, contract training, dual enrollment, adult education, and continuing education initiatives. Dr. Savin holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Oregon State University His professional service includes leadership and board roles in workforce development, advanced manufacturing, career and technical education, and higher education accreditation.
Dr. Jian H. Yu leads the Convergent Additive Manufacturing team at the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, guiding programs that advance rapid prototyping, small‑scale production, materials‑by‑design, and distributed manufacturing to support Army readiness and modernization. Over 13 years at ARL, he has conducted research on ballistic performance of soft armor and blast protection, earning two patents for blast‑containment designs. His recent work focuses on developing feedstock materials and processes for additive manufacturing, hybrid electronics, and robotic production. Dr. Yu holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from SUNY Buffalo and a Ph.D. from MIT.
Corey Zamenski is a Senior Mechanical Engineer (ME) with over thirteen (13) years of experience supporting engineering and manufacturing operations in the automotive and defense industries. He earned both his Master of Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. Throughout his career, Corey has demonstrated strong engineering expertise and proficiency with a broad range of engineering software tools. In addition to Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) applications, he has extensive experience with Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) platforms, including ANSYS for structural, thermal, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses; SolidWorks Simulation for structural and CFD modeling; Autodesk CFD; and Moldflow.
Session Descriptions

9 am

AI for High-Impact Decision Systems: Bridging Professional Services and Advanced Manufacturing

Mike Kelleher (moderator), Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Daniel Scott Mitchell, Takton
Samad Saifudin, ThresholdStack
Greg Paulsen, Guidehouse

Artificial Intelligence is transforming professional decision making in both accounting and advanced manufacturing. Attendees will see how intelligent tools enhance financial analysis, forecasting, and workflow automation, while AI driven CAM systems enable adaptive machining, predictive insights, and digital twin optimization. The discussion highlights practical use cases, ethical and data integrity considerations, and the shared shift toward AI systems that augment human expertise across knowledge based and industrial environments.

10 am

The Talent Pipeline

Kim Justus, Susquehanna Workforce Network
Dr. Heather Handler, Cecil County Public Schools
Dr. Stuart Savin, Harford Community College
Steve O’Connor, AirClear
Luke Granger, Utilitrain

This session delves into strategies for building a strong, future ready talent pipeline in technical and manufacturing fields. Speakers will examine workforce development partnerships, apprenticeship models, industry recognized credentials and approaches to broaden participation, close skills gaps, and adapt to evolving workforce expectations. Attendees will gain practical insights for attracting, developing, and retaining skilled professionals in a competitive labor market.

11:15 am

Advances in Design Optimization Using CAD Tools

SJ Jones (moderator), Northrop Grumman
Tracy Wettig, Trimech
John Fitzell, RPM Tech
Corey Zamenski, Veritech

Highlights advances in modern CAD methodologies that integrate simulation, parametric modeling, and generative design to accelerate engineering optimization. Speakers will explore breakthroughs in computational design methods, AI assisted workflows, real time multi physics simulation, and cloud based collaboration, with case studies showing how CAD driven innovation is reshaping product development across aerospace, automotive, civil, and biomedical engineering.

1:15 pm

From Assembly Lines to Airspace: Drones Powering Adaptive Manufacturing

Chris Cosgrove (moderator), SURVICE Engineering
Eric Adams, U.S. Army DEVCOM C5ISR
Jian Yu, U.S. Army DEVCOM ARL
David Bjornberg, Compass Systems
Scott Bernetich, SURVICE Engineering

The surge in UAS demand is redefining the domestic industrial base, shifting focus from low-volume prototyping to the mass production of “attritable” defense systems. This panel examines the friction of scaling production to meet the high demands on the UAS market: from navigating from additive manufacturing into injection molding to acquiring or manufacturing large volumes of high demand, compliant components. Attendees will explore strategies for overcoming supply chain volatility, eliminating reliance on foreign-sourced components, and bridging the design, test, and evaluation gaps as products mature. The discussion highlights how researchers and manufacturers are evolving to provide the agility of a startup with the security and scale required for modern national defense.

2:30 pm

Decision Frameworks for Manufacturing Technology Selection

Greg Paulsen (moderator),Guidehouse
Michael Pecota, U.S. Navy CTR
Ron Hill, Hill Tech Solutions
Andres Bujanda, U.S. Army DEVCOM ARL
Randy Behm, Phillips Corporation

Explore structured, data driven frameworks for selecting manufacturing technologies, from Multi Criterial Decision Analysis and total cost of ownership modeling to lifecycle assessment and risk informed decision methods. Speakers will examine how these approaches support decisions in emerging paradigms such as additive manufacturing, smart factories, and hybrid production systems, illustrated through case studies across aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and electronics. Attendees will gain practical insights into balancing automation, flexibility, cost, and long term adaptability while integrating digital tools like simulation, digital twins, and AI enabled decision support.

3:30 pm

Robotics-Driven Automation in Industrial Production

Dr. Suresh Babu (moderator), University of Maryland, Materials Science and Engineering
Matt Kelly, Cutting Edge Automation
Paul Kramer, JR Automation, a Hitachi company
Samad Saifudin, ThresholdStack

Advanced robotics is reshaping industrial production through intelligent automation, machine vision, and AI driven control. Speakers will highlight real world deployments of cobots, autonomous assembly systems, and flexible manufacturing cells, along with the integration of robotics with IIoT platforms, digital twins, and edge computing. Attendees will gain practical insights into scaling robotics driven automation while addressing workforce transformation, interoperability, cybersecurity, and ROI in modern manufacturing.

Click to Download Symposium Agenda PDF

Sponsor Packages

Click to download Sponsor Packages Brochure PDF

SPONSOR NOW
GOLD SPONSOR
$2,000

  • Benefits include opportunity for remarks, advertisement in program, logo on emails, publicity materials, website, promotion at event on signs and monitors, exhibit space, six free registrations; sales end on Oct 7, 2026

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Nickel Sponsor
$1,000
  • Benefits include advertisement in program, logo on emails, publicity materials, website, promotion at event on signs and monitors, exhibit space, three free registrations; sales end on Oct 7, 2026
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Bronze Sponsor
$500
  • Benefits include logo on emails, publicity materials, website, promotion at event on signs and monitors, exhibit space, one free registration; sales end on Oct 7, 2026
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You will have the opportunity to network and connect with over 100 attendees and 20+ speakers and panelists who are actively involved in the advanced manufacturing industry. This Symposium is big enough to attract top thought leaders and small enough to make sure you get access to them.

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Attend
Join us October 7th!

Don’t miss this opportunity to network with over 100 attendees and 20+ speakers and panelists who are actively involved in the advanced manufacturing industry.

Register to Attend
General Admission
$149 +fee
  • Sales end on Oct 7, 2026
Students or Educators
$19 +fee
  • Sales end on Oct 7, 2026
Federal Govt. Employees
Free
  • Sales end on Oct 7, 2026
About
RAMP MD: Growing Additive Manufacturing in Maryland

Formed in 2014, the Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnership of Maryland (RAMP MD) is a consortium of private businesses, educational institutions, and governmental agencies, working together to:

✔ Provide businesses access to additive manufacturing facilities, equipment, and expertise

✔ Expand and connect a network of businesses

✔ Educate a supporting workforce

Through RAMP MD, companies access facilities and expertise of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center and Army Research Laboratory. RAMP MD currently holds partnership agreements with over 25 industry partners and is in the process of negotiating more. RAMP MD is also working with Maryland educational institutions to develop pathways into high- tech, high-pay additive manufacturing careers.

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