Vinay Govande is a certified Project Management Professional and Lean Sigma Master Black Belt with 25 years of progressive experience in supply-chain, information technology, and continuous improvement.  He has directed multi-disciplinary teams on over 80 different projects to achieve significant results.

Vinay has been instrumental in creating transformational and sustainable change in a variety of organizations including fortune 500 companies such as Stanley, Tyco, and Alcoa as well as mid-size and small companies such as East Penn Manufacturing, Just Born, B Braun Medical, Transcontinental, Infinera, TrayPak, and Custom Processing.

Vinay began his career as a manufacturing engineer at Cummins Engine Company in India. He worked as a project manager at the Enterprise Systems Center at Lehigh University. His expertise includes supply-chain planning and execution, demand management, S&OP, ERP system selection, implementation, and optimization, as well as lean six-sigma manufacturing, business process analysis, factory design, plant layout and design and implementation of information systems. Vinay has assisted several clients in the reengineering of their business processes through the implementation of supply chain and ERP systems, such as Oracle, JDA, SAP, Epicor, Visual Manufacturing, SyteLine, Macola, PowerCerv, and PrintStream.

Vinay holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering, Pune, India, and a graduate degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Auburn University. He is certified in Demand Flow Technology and Business Strategy by JcIT and teaches lean manufacturing as a visiting lecturer in Lehigh University’s Industrial and Systems Engineering Department and DeSales University.

His papers have been published in IIE, Conference on Industrial Engineering Applications and Practice, and Modeling and Simulation Conference. He is a member of PMI and is a past member of APICS, SM, and ASQC.

Kent Ruth is the Director of IT at Solo Laboratories, Inc. Solo Laboratories, Inc. is a manufacturer of custom orthotics. Solo has a passion for creating high-quality custom orthotics and AFOs. The mission of the IT department is to deliver software and technology that benefits Solo team members and customers. Kent Graduated from Cedarville University with a bachelor’s degree in MIS and earned a master’s degree in Computer Science from Kutztown University. Kent has been active in the IT and software development fields for over 15 years.

Stephen Uliana is the Business Line and Operations Manager – Americas for Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials. Stephen is Responsible for Polyethylene business in North, Central and South Americas, as well as multiple Manufacturing and Logistics operations in North America. Stephen’s prior responsibilities include Division Operations Manager for Quadrant EPP, Project Engineer for Morton Thiokol and Supervisor services and construction for Bethlehem Steel. Stephen has a Bachelor of Science in Civil/Structural Engineering from Penn State University and is a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Pennsylvania. Stephen is also a Board Member for the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, Lackawanna County Workforce Investment Board, and School Board Member for Holy Guardian Angels Regional School.

Brian Fox has over 20 years of experience in Management, Process Improvement, Software Development, and Technical Support of Automated Systems. Since joining espi, he has been the key contributor to several projects which have helped various companies take their operations to new levels of productivity and reliability. Before joining espi, Brian was the manager of technical support for SI Systems, a maker of highly automated systems for distribution centers and of heavy-duty conveyor systems for automakers and manufacturers of other heavy machinery. Through this position, he traveled extensively throughout the US and abroad to help customers improve their bottom lines through more productive use of their automated systems and related processes. Before SI Systems, Brian held several positions related to software development, including the development of a customized MES system for IBM and a commercial software product with over 70,000 users. Brian holds an MBA from Lehigh University and a Bachelor’s degree in Quantitative Business Analysis from Pennsylvania State University. He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and a CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management). He is certified in 5S and TPM (Total Productive Maintenance).

Teri Ooms was appointed Executive Director of The Institute in 2004. The Institute provides essential research, data analysis, and consultation to the private, public, non-profit, and institutional sectors. The Institute is a partnership of 13 higher education institutions and the business community. The Institute publishes the regional annual Indicators report, Quarterly Economy Tracker, other community based research in a number of areas, and convenes, facilitates and provides research support for seven issue based task forces with over 100 volunteers. Several of The Institute’s research studies have served as a basis for new Pennsylvania legislation.

Ooms is responsible for research, development, and operation functions. The Institute has conducted research, marketing, feasibility, planning, and economic studies for organizations throughout Pennsylvania and 12 states along the east coast, and Texas. From 1997 – 2004, Ooms served as President/CEO of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP), Riverside, CA

Ms. Ooms is a cum laude graduate of the University of Scranton with a BS in Public Administration and an MBA in Finance.

Eileen Cipriani, is deputy secretary for workforce development at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. In her role, she oversees the commonwealth workforce system, which includes 23 local workforce areas. She is also responsible for the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis, the office for labor market information, and the commonwealth’s newly established Apprenticeship Training Office.

In her role, she coordinates the department’s interagency projects to facilitate collaboration and reduce duplication in workforce service delivery. Under her leadership the newly created Apprenticeship and Training Office has greatly expanded, not only the number of apprentices served statewide, but also the diversity of occupations participating. She has been instrumental in interagency projects such as the Next Generation Sector Strategy model to significantly improve the way in which state government addresses business needs and shares interagency resources and data. Under her leadership, L&I continues to design and implement enhancements to comprehensively upgrade CWDS-PACareerlink online services to provide for better job-seeker and employer experiences, and allow staff greater case management and performance accountability functionality within and across core programs.

During her tenure at L&I, Eileen has actively pursued grant funding, resulting in over $15 million in awards to fund innovative initiatives such as strategies to fight unemployment due to the opioid epidemic, and efforts to upskill dislocated or underemployed workers. She has also greatly increased work-based training opportunities for youth across the commonwealth through internships and pre-apprenticeships programs. Her focus on data driven strategies has led to numerous interagency data sharing opportunities to provide more efficient services for commonwealth residents.

In addition to her work as Deputy Secretary, Eileen is a member of the Keystone Workforce and Economic Development Command Center, STEM Advisory Committee, TEAM PA, the PA Interagency Health Equity Team, PA Assistive Technology Council, Aging Council Workforce Workgroup, the Commonwealth Energy Collaborative and the Tri State Energy and Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Committee.

Prior to her deputy secretary appointment, Eileen was acting director for the State Workers Insurance Fund (SWIF) in Scranton, where she was responsible for the management and day-to-day activity of SWIF staff and programs in eight district offices.

Eileen has a Bachelor of Science from Bloomsburg University and a master’s in organizational management from Misericordia University. She lives in West Wyoming, PA with her husband. They have two grown children

Tracy Brundage, Ph.D. became the 11th president and 20th leader of Keystone College in July, 2018. Prior to her appointment as president, Dr. Brundage served as Keystone’s provost and vice president for academic affairs for the 2017-2018 academic year. Before coming to Keystone, she served as vice president of workforce development at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pa.

Dr. Brundage brings to Keystone 27 years of experience in a wide variety of academic and operational leadership, strategic planning, organizational development, and workforce development in higher education and the private sector.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College, a master of education in training and development and a doctorate in workforce education and development, both from Penn State University. A recognized expert in her field, Dr. Brundage has testified on workforce development initiatives before many state and national committees, including the United State House of Representatives.

She has also served as an adjunct faculty member in business at Penn College and Harrisburg Area Community College. In the private sector, she has owned and operated a Victorian bed and breakfast in Lock Haven, Pa., worked as an information technology instructor in Lancaster Pa., and as a corporate trainer and training coordinator for a leading Washington D.C. consulting firm.

A Scranton native, Dr. Brundage appreciates the close-knit nature of the Northeastern Pennsylvania community and shares the tireless dedication that people bring to their jobs and family lives. Her career reflects her desire to make a positive impact on society and help others succeed in their personal and professional endeavors.

Steve Willison is a Senior Human Resources Manager with ON Semiconductor. Steve has managed work groups in the human resources and operations areas for the last 17 years. His specialties involve developing strong work teams, corporate social responsibility, community and employee outreach, brand advocacy, and leadership development.

Steve is a graduate of King’s College with a dual undergraduate degree in HR Management and Psychology; he earned his MBA in Finance from Marywood University.  Steve is also a veteran, having served in the US Air Force as a member of the Security Police. 

Steve is a certified member of the Society for HR Management and a six sigma member of the American Society for Quality.  

Steve lives in Wyoming with his wife, three children, and chocolate lab. 

Penny Common is a Regional Manager for OneSource Staffing Solutions where she has spent 25+ years helping NEPA clients with staffing management, recruiting and placement needs.

Penny is an active community leader including board positions with the Scranton Chamber, American Red Cross of Lackawanna County, and the Scranton-Pocono Girl Scout Council. Penny is also a long serving member of the Finance Council at Our Lady of the Snows/Church of St. Benedict.