Friday, July 21, 2023
The National Woods Board (NWB) has named Amanda Conger as the executive director, effective from July 1. This is a new position for the recently established 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Conger has extensive experience in the sector and serves as executive director of both the Association of Closet & Storage Professionals and the Cabinet Makers Association. Since the NWB’s founding, she has served as secretary and treasurer.
The mission of the NWB is to replicate and proliferate the successful model implemented by the Colorado Springs-based Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab, known as The MiLL, on a national level. The organization was founded to make the industry-supported education that was built for The MiLL accessible and scalable to students regardless of the location or population of their district.
At the MiLL, highly qualified instructors provide high school students with hands-on experience and training on the latest tools and manufacturing equipment, including CNC technology. These instructors use a curriculum that ensures students are learning skills and concepts that can be directly applied to modern wood manufacturing companies. Upon completion of the coursework and training, students will have the skills and industry-recognized credentials needed to obtain internships or employment.
The effective strategy of the MiLL, and one NWB seeks to expand, is to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between industry and education. The MiLL is owned and operated by Widefield School District No. 3 (WSD3), and the program’s materials and supplies are provided by industry partners, at no cost to the school district or the students.
The majority of the NWB’s board of directors are individuals who helped get The MiLL to where it is today. Serving on the board are: Chairman Thomas Allott (supplier), Brian Donahue (supplier), Dean Mattson (educator), Jason Howell (supplier), John LeTourneau (executive coach), Kelly Victor-Burke (manufacturer), Molly Turner (educator), Rob Roszell (media), Scott Robinson (manufacturer), Shane Skalla (educator), Tim Fixmer (media), and Tim Kistler (educator).
Source: Woodworking Network
Tags: Amanda Conger, Association of Closet & Storage, cabinet makers association, cnc technology, Executive Director, manufacturing industry, MiLL accessible, National Woods Board, new position, wood manufacturing company
