CCAM Appoints Bruce Sobczak as Director of Workforce Development

RICHMOND, VA., NOVEMBER 19, 2013 - The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) today announced the appointment of Bruce Sobczak as Director of Workforce Development.

As Director of Workforce Development, Sobczak will work with CCAM members and regional partners to help establish an industry-centric, high-performing workforce that makes Southern and Southwest Virginia the site of choice for advanced manufacturing firms. Specifically, he will lead the implementation of the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission's (TIC) Workforce Strategy, a plan that was developed based on a recent study conducted by CCAM and the Boston Consultant Group highlighting workforce needs within the tobacco region.

"CCAM is focused on building not only a pipeline of new technologies for the industry, but a new generation of advanced manufacturing workers as well," said Sobczak. "I look forward to working with the team to help ensure that CCAM continues to produce a skilled workforce that will allow us to serve our members here in Virginia, as well as the national and global manufacturing industry overall."

Sobczak joins CCAM from South Orange County Community College District, where he served as Director of Economic and Workforce Development for the Irvine Valley College, Advanced Technology and Education Park. In this role, Sobczak was responsible for all operational/leadership management, and successfully designed and delivered customized contract training in high technologies such as CAD/CAM software, 3D fabrication techniques and world class manufacturing methods and others for training sessions delivered to Beckman Coulter, Masimo, Newport Corp. and more.

Prior to joining South Orange County Community College District, Sobczak held positions within a number of world-class companies, including the role of Manager of Manufacturing Engineering for Printronix Inc., in addition to serving as an adjunct professor and private consultant. He earned both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Chapman University, and currently serves as a member of the Workforce Development Committee for the Orange County Business Council.

"Bruce's range of experience, leadership skills and enthusiasm make him the ideal candidate to lead the implementation of our plans for a new workforce development program," said Barry Johnson, member of the CCAM Board of Directors and Senior Associate Dean in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia. "I believe that having Bruce in this role, working closely with our Director of Economic Development, will give us stronger capabilities in attracting new workers, jobs and companies to the region."    

About CCAM
CCAM is an applied research center that provides production-ready advanced manufacturing solutions to member companies across the globe. Members guide the research, leveraging talent and resources within CCAM and at Virginia's top universities, through a collaborative model that enables them to pool R&D efforts to increase efficiencies. Results can then be applied directly to the factory floor, turning ideas into profit faster and more affordably than ever before. CCAM is located in a state-of-the-art research facility in Prince George County, Virginia. For more information, visit www.ccam-va.com.