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SPURRING MANUFACTURING SUCCESS: State Programs for Manufacturing Innovation and Productivity

July 9

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

SPURRING
MANUFACTURING
SUCCESS.

Details

Partners
Contact

Alex Kelleher

akelleher@imec.org
Cost of Event
Free
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  • Registrations

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    Registrations will be available on July 9, 2026

    Illinois is investing in manufacturers like you. The question is, are you taking full advantage of the resources available to support your growth?

    Programs like Illinois Invent, the Innovation Voucher, and Made in Illinois are designed to help manufacturers innovate faster, adopt new technologies, and stay competitive. Yet many companies are unsure if they qualify, how to apply, or where to start.

    Join us for this webinar featuring Director Kristin Richards of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), who will share insight into the state’s strategy and commitment to supporting manufacturers through these initiatives.

    You will get a clear, practical overview of these state-supported programs and how they work together to support your business from idea to implementation. We will break down what each program offers, who is eligible, and how to access funding, technical expertise, and applied research support.

    You will also gain insight into how other manufacturers are beginning to use these programs to reduce barriers, accelerate innovation, and drive measurable business results.

    In this session, participants will learn how to:

    • Determine if their company is eligible for Illinois Invent, Innovation Voucher, and Made in Illinois
    • Understand how to apply and what to expect from the process
    • Identify which programs align with their business goals and growth stage
    • Access funding, expertise, and resources to support innovation and technology adoption
    • Move ideas from concept to implementation more efficiently
    • Take the next steps to engage with available state support

    Who Should Attend

    • Manufacturing leaders and business owners looking to grow and stay competitive
    • Operations, engineering, and innovation leaders focused on process improvement or technology adoption
    • Companies exploring funding, partnerships, or support for R&D and product development
    • Small and mid-sized manufacturers seeking practical, accessible resources to support growth
    • Organizations unsure if they qualify for state programs and looking for guidance on where to start

    Whether you are exploring new opportunities or looking to accelerate existing initiatives, this session will help you confidently navigate available programs and turn state support into real business impact.

     

    To ensure a secure experience for all participants, please log in using your own Zoom account with a username and password. Any Zoom account type is acceptable. When joining, make sure to use your registered first and last name so we can verify your attendance. Please note: Call-in access is not allowed for this session.

     

    *Event details are subject to change.

    *Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive it, please check your spam or junk folder*

     

    Presenter

    David Boulay, Ph.D.

    President, IMEC

    David’s leadership has developed from diverse settings that extend from a family-owned business, to manufacturing, universities and non-profits. These various experiences help guide our public-private partnership’s strategic direction to serve as a catalyst for small and mid-sized company competitiveness.

    David grew up in a family-owned business where he learned first-hand about the trial, challenges, and pride that he sees in the owners and leaders of companies we work with today. He recognizes their situations, understands their challenges and has the tools and knowledge to help accomplish their goals. He has also had the good fortune to work in various manufacturing roles from food plant sanitation to maintenance supervision to production, plant manager and business unit manager in companies such as Frito-Lay and Pillsbury.

    Through these experiences, David learned how company success is reliant on the skills and talents of its’ workforce. This has driven his passion in human resource development. His Ph.D. included a primary focus on high performance work practices in small and mid-sized companies and career pathways for workers.

    David brings a diverse blend of expertise in performance management, small business development, and organizational growth strategies to IMEC. He has helped create and implement several initiatives to increase the flow of state and federal funding to manufacturers for projects, update worker skills, and help smaller manufacturers adopt new technology and business practices to improve energy efficiency.

    Qualifications:
    Ph.D. in Workforce Development and Education from The Ohio State University
    Masters of Business Administration from Franklin University
    Bachelor of Science in Operations from Binghamton University

    Kristin Richards

    Director, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

    Kristin Richards is the Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). In this capacity, Richards oversees DCEO’s mission to create a positive economic climate to attract job creators, support Illinois’ skilled workforce, and bolster communities to provide opportunities for all Illinoisans.

    As Director, Richards has partnered with the Office of the Governor and state legislature to pass sweeping enhancements to state incentives that support business attraction and development. She helps invest in programs that support Illinois’ position as the #1 state for workforce in the Midwest, and co-chairs the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board. Richards has grown DCEO’s footprint during a period of unprecedented economic vitality for the State.

    Richards has spent more than two decades in government where she has held various leadership roles in the executive and legislative branches. Richards is known for solving complex issues and working closely with stakeholders to forge strong coalitions.

    Richards was raised in Belleville, IL and resides in Chicago.

    Jaclyn Kolodziej

    Director of Marketing, IMEC

    As the Director of Marketing for IMEC, Jaclyn leads the strategic marketing efforts aimed at driving growth, visibility, and impact for the organization. With over a decade of experience in marketing and communications, she is responsible for overseeing the comprehensive marketing strategy, including brand management, digital transformation, and stakeholder engagement for IMEC.

    Jaclyn’s leadership focuses on fostering innovation in marketing practices, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, and guiding the IMEC brand narrative to elevate its presence in the manufacturing sector. Her expertise in digital marketing, strategic planning, and cross-functional team leadership has enabled IMEC to strengthen partnerships and expand outreach initiatives that support the continuous improvement of Illinois manufacturers.

    Throughout her career, Jaclyn has been committed to empowering teams, fostering collaboration, and creating innovative marketing solutions. She has a proven ability to navigate complex challenges, combined with a passion for the manufacturing industry, making her a key driver of the mission of IMEC to help organizations succeed in a globally competitive market.

    She earned a bachelor’s degree from Beloit College and is known for dedication to advancing opportunities for women in manufacturing and marketing leadership.

    Jacob Barry

    Innovation Program Manager, Illinois Science and Technology Coalition

    Jacob Barry is an Innovation Program Manager at the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, where he leads the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program, a $3 million initiative supporting R&D partnerships between small and medium sized businesses and universities across the state. He oversees program strategy, application and review processes, and stakeholder engagement, working closely with founders, researchers, and economic development partners to advance commercialization. His work focuses on strengthening connections between industry and academia to accelerate innovation and drive economic growth in Illinois.

    George Letavish

    Small Business Financial Assistance Manager, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

    George Letavish is the Small Business Financial Assistance Manager at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) where he oversees Illinois’ State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) programs. He previously held positions in Illinois state government as a Federal Policy Advisor at DCEO and Policy Analyst in the Office of Governor Pat Quinn. George has also worked in the non-profit sector as a Senior Policy Analyst at Get IN Chicago, which funded violence prevention initiatives for at-risk youth, and a Manager of Solution Development at the City Tech Collaborative, where he managed smart cities pilot projects. Originally from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, George served in the United States Army as a signals intelligence analyst. He holds degrees in history and international politics from Penn State and a Master of Public Policy from the Harris School at the University of Chicago. He lives in Riverside, Illinois with his wonderful wife Erin and their toddlers, Alex and Maddie.

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