NCDMM Names Dean L. Bartles, Ph.D., as its Next President and CEO

The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) names Dean L. Bartles, Ph.D., FSME, FASME, and NCDMM board of director as its next president and CEO, effective immediately. Ralph Resnick is stepping down and will assume a newly created position of vice president of Strategy.

Dr. Dean L. Bartles

“I am beyond honored to lead the NCDMM team and this tremendous organization,” says Dr. Bartles. “Within the defense manufacturing industry, the NCDMM is a highly respected organization, one known for the innovative work and the results that it has achieved to support the defense supply chain.

“I also want to acknowledge my friend and colleague Ralph for his service, dedication and contributions to the organization during his 8 years at its helm,” continues Dr. Bartles. 

On Dr. Bartles being named as NCDMM’s next president and CEO, Resnick says, “I am confident in the selection of Dean as NCDMM’s newest leader. I wish him the best as he takes on this role and one that I believe he is ideally suited for based on his extensive manufacturing experience and leadership background. At the same time, I am also excited about my next chapter at the NCDMM in carrying out my duties as VP of Strategy.”

Recently, Dr. Bartles served as the president of the National Tooling and Machining Association, the national representative of the precision custom manufacturing industry. Prior, he served as the Director of the John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center at the University of New Hampshire and was previously the founding executive director of the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute in Chicago. Dr. Bartles worked for General Dynamics Corporation for 30 years..

He recently served as the 2016-2017 president of the North American Manufacturing Research Institute, the 2016 president of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the founding chairman of the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition, and the chairman of the board of the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining. 

Additional Organizational Changes

Organizational changes are also underway at America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, which NCDMM manages. Rob Gorham, NCDMM’s executive director at America Makes recently shared that he is stepping down.

“After six wonderful years at the NCDMM and having the privilege of serving as the America Makes executive director for the past two years, I am resigning effective May 31 to pursue other opportunities,” says Gorham. “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. The partnerships continue to mature and the progress we are making in the United States additive manufacturing industry amazes me daily.”

America Makes current technology director, John Wilczynski will become acting executive director effective June 1, with NCDMM’s Randy Gilmore, vice president and chief technology officer taking on Wilczynski’s previous role as acting technology director. Resnick, who was also the founding executive director of America Makes, will be serving in a strategic advisory role during the initial transition.

“First, I want to thank and acknowledge Rob’s many contributions to America Makes during his tenure,” says Mr. 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.”

As the America Makes Technology Director, Wilczynski was tasked with continuing the facilitation of the National Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing Roadmap, the development of an Intellectual Property (IP) Management Plan, the execution of the Project Call Process for Agency-Driven and Cooperative Agreement Driven project solicitations, and program management of the America Makes project portfolio.

He joined the NCDMM in October 2009 as the Manager of the Manufacturing Consortium and has more than 20 years of manufacturing experience. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.