Executive director of America Makes Rob Gorham steps down
John Wilczynsk will assume the position effective June 1, 2019
Rob Gorham, the Executive Director at America Makes, the U.S.’ National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, has announced he will be stepping down from his position as of May 31, 2019. John Wilczynski, the current Technology Director at America Makes, will assume the position of Executive Director effective June 1, 2019.
With over a decade of experience under his belt in defense research and advanced manufacturing, Gorham joined America Makes in 2013 as the organization’s Deputy Director of Technology Development. Just a year later, he was promoted to Director of Operations. In May 2017, he was appointed as America Makes’ Executive Director, a position he will hold until the end of this month.
“After six wonderful years at the NCDMM [National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, the managing group for America Makes] and having the privilege of serving as the America Makes Executive Director for the past two years, I am resigning effective May 31st to pursue other opportunities,” Gorham said.
“I want to assure everyone that America Makes is as strong as ever as we move into the second half of FY19 with FY20 looking even better,” he added. “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’s position will be taken up by Technology Director John Wilczynski and the transition will be supported by Ralph Resnick, the founding executive director of America Makes who will serve in a strategic advisory role. Wilczynski’s existing position at America Makes will be filled by Randy Gilmore, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at NCDMM.
As Technology Director, Wilczynski supported the National Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing Roadmap set out by America Makes, as well as the development of an Intellectual Property (IP) Management Plan, the Project Call Process for Agency-Driven and Cooperative Agreement Driven project solicitations and program management of the America Makes project portfolio. He will soon bring his extensive expertise from within the organization, as well as prior manufacturing knowledge to the America Makes leadership role.
“First, I want to thank and acknowledge Rob’s many contributions to America Makes during his tenure,” said Wilczynski. “I know he will achieve much success in his next endeavor. Meanwhile, I am very excited about the opportunity to serve as the acting Executive Director, ensuring a seamless transition during this time and continuing to execute against the mission and objectives of America Makes.”
At NCDMM, Ralph Resnick is stepping down from his position as President and CEO to be replaced by Dean L. Bartles, PhD, from the NCDMM Board of Directors.
