Miller named director of West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Staci Miller has been selected as director of the West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership, effective April 28, 2020. (WVU Photo/Paige Nesbit)

Staci Miller, acting director of the West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University, has been selected as WVMEP’s permanent director, effective April 28, 2020.

By Adrianne Uphold
Multimedia Intern

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

“My hope is to build upon the strong platform that the manufacturing extension partnership has established in West Virginia for the last 30 plus years,” Miller said. “We have developed relationships with manufacturing clients and have been able to contribute to the success of hundreds of organizations. I would like to offer more services, build transformational relationships with clients and be relied upon as a true business partner in their organization.”

WVMEP is focused on helping West Virginia businesses improve competitiveness in both local and global markets through innovative growth services such as product design, supply chain development, operational improvement and training. These initiatives are used to develop new products, utilize new technology and access new national and global markets.

Starting in 2000, Miller worked with WVMEP as the manager of quality and environmental programs for six consecutive years. She returned in December 2018 as the manager of strategy and development, later becoming the acting director in November 2019.

“The reason I came back to work for WVMEP and to serve in this capacity is because I am genuinely passionate about manufacturing and the amazing work ethic I have found in leaders in West Virginia,” Miller said. “Businesses are family oriented, working to grow a workforce and economy and tightly connected through community. It’s a rewarding profession and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Miller hopes to continue to provide solutions and support for manufacturing throughout the state by offering technical consulting that can be implemented within the business to increase profitability, reach new customers and markets and develop strong bench strength.

“From a University standpoint, our goals are to increase the connectedness of students and University programs with private industry through internships and student placement, University and industry partnerships and recruitment for new generations of Mountaineers,” Miller said.

The United States needs a rich manufacturing base to support the needs of citizens and businesses more than ever before in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Miller explained.

“The COVID-19 crisis is changing our world and we have an opportunity before us to react and rebound,” Miller said. “West Virginia has the right people, the perfect landscape and the strong work ethic to be a cornerstone for the resurgence of manufacturing. If I can play even a small part of a growing manufacturing economy for West Virginia, it would be my honor.”

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