CONNSTEP's Jack Crane Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at MEP National Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2010
CONTACT
Rebecca Kane Dow, 860.513.3217
(Rocky Hill, Connecticut) - The Grand Ballroom of the Marriott World Center in Orlando was the stage for Jack Crane to garner a national award at the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Conference, held May 1-5, 2010.
Crane took home the first ever MEP Lifetime Achievement Award out of a pool of five nominees from across the United States. The MEP Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes outstanding advocates of U.S. manufacturing who have demonstrated consistent innovative and effective leadership while executing initiatives that have had significant economic impact and who have been with the MEP system for at least seven years.
CONNSTEP, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership for Connecticut. The assistance provided by CONNSTEP for Connecticut manufacturers is supported, in joint effort, by the Department of Commerce National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).
Nominated by CONNSTEP President Bonnie Del Conte and endorsed by 12 representatives from Connecticut manufacturing businesses, supporting organizations and economic development agencies, including Commissioner McDonald of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Jack has well over 15 years of service to CONNSTEP and a lifetime of dedication to the local manufacturing community. His guidance and mentoring have positively impacted companies through critical and strategic planning assistance for business growth, assistance with new technology deployment, efficiency improvements and overall support for economic development through advanced and competitive manufacturing methodologies.
Prior to CONNSTEP, Jack was the Director of Product R&D at Olin Metals in New Haven. Spreading his knowledge into industry training, Jack facilitated the Connecticut Metal Finishers Training Network, helping to set-up a ten-week course for metal finishers. Jack has authored or co-authored over 50 papers on new products, synthesis and fabrication of materials and is the holder or co-holder of over 30 patents related to alloys, processes or products in the metallurgical field. Jack has chaired the Connecticut Metallurgical Society and the Industrial Advisory Council for Materials at UCONN. He has received numerous awards and serves as a member of the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP), which promotes economic development in South Central Connecticut.
CONNSTEP President Bonnie Del Conte underscores his commitment, "Jack is an invaluable asset to the CONNSTEP organization, the MEP Network and the Connecticut manufacturing industry. Jack has a great love and respect for the manufacturing community - but he does not rest on his laurels - he is always seeking to learn and to grow. He is truly the heart, soul and voice of CONNSTEP and we are all the fortunate benefactors of Jack's dedicated career."
About CONNSTEP
CONNSTEP's mission is to help Connecticut manufacturers apply
advanced technology and modern management methodologies to become
more competitive. Since 1994, CONNSTEP's innovative programs help
hundreds of manufacturers annually and have assisted in the
creation or retention of thousands of jobs. CONNSTEP's team of
manufacturing specialists provides business growth, technical and
process improvement assistance. Core service areas include Lean
Solutions, Quality Management Systems, Enterprise Growth Services,
Green Manufacturing Systems, Business Assessments and Culture and
Change Management Solutions.
CONNSTEP is sponsored by the
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and
the U.S. Department of Commerce through the national Manufacturing
Extension Partnership (MEP) program in the National Institute of
Standards and Technology.
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