Arizona MEP: Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 20, 2006

For more information please contact:
John Little
Director of Operations
Tel: 480-874-9100

Arizona MEP Names Two Community Leaders to Board of Directors
Mark Dobbins, Ron Jones Bring Over 50 Years of Combined Manufacturing Experience
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - The Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Arizona MEP) is pleased to announce the addition of Mark Dobbins and Ron Jones to its Board of Directors. The board consists of Arizona’s top manufacturing industry and economic development leaders.

Dobbins brings more than 35 years of domestic and international human resources/legal affairs experience to the board, and Jones has over 20 years in manufacturing, with a focus on operations and quality systems.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Mark and Ron," says Gene Lussier, chairman of the AZ MEP Board of Directors. “The goal of the Arizona MEP and the board of directors is to help small and medium manufacturers be more efficient and productive. Both gentlemen have a long history of manufacturing experience and will be an asset to our board and the Arizona manufacturing community.”

Mark Dobbins is currently the senior vice president of human resources and general affairs for SUMCO USA in Phoenix, Arizona. SUMCO USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of SUMCO Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, the world’s 2nd largest supplier of silicon wafers to the semiconductor industry.

“The Arizona MEP is not only known as a friend to the manufacturing community, but a useful tool and partner,” comments Dobbins. “I am happy to be a part of such a key organization.”

Dobbins also serves as Chairman of the Arizona Association of Industries’ Board of Directors and is a Director of the National Association of Manufacturers, based in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the Provost’s Advisory Council for Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus, is a senior advisor to the Phoenix Sister Cities program and chairs the International Cargo Project of Williams Gateway Airport. Dobbins received his BS/BA degree in Business Administration/Human Resources from Auburn University. He lives in Scottsdale with his wife, Jennie. They have two grown daughters.

Ron Jones is a mechanical engineering graduate from Texas A & M University with experience from General Dynamics, Whirlpool Corporation and Sub-Zero Freezer Co., Inc. Jones began his career at General Dynamics working on the Tomahawk Cruise Missile and Advanced Cruise Missile in Failure Analysis in San Diego, California and also worked as a test manager for Side-by-Side Refrigerators with Whirlpool Corporation.

Jones is currently the plant manager of the Sub-Zero Freezer Co., Inc Phoenix, Arizona facility. He has used the local MEP to work on value stream mapping, kaizen events, Time-wise training and has reorganized the facility in Phoenix to begin its lean journey. The facility is currently transitioning product lines and will be doubling production output by the end of 2007.

“I have utilized the Arizona MEP in my current position, so I know first-hand the good work they do,” adds Jones. “Now I am in a position to share my experience with others and take a more active leadership role."

The Board of Directors works with a multi-talented team of manufacturing and business professionals. The Arizona MEP team specializes in plant layout, process improvements, ISO 9000/14000 standards, machinery automation/specification, computerization and manufacturing software, health and safety issues and environmental issues. The Arizona MEP also offers in-depth, hands-on training such as Lean 101 and Set-Up Reduction classes. They can also assist with marketing and business development, business planning, product development, technology transfer, supply chain management and energy audits.

Arizona MEP, an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, assists small and medium-size manufacturers in becoming more globally competitive by applying the latest manufacturing and management technologies. For more information or information on upcoming workshops, visit the Arizona MEP web site at www.arizonamep.org.

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