2025 Manufacturing (MFG) Summit
Name:
2025 Manufacturing (MFG) Summit
Date:
October 28, 2025
Time:
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
Registration:
Register Now
Event Description:
Join us for our region's premier, annual manufacturing summit! The Greater Reading region celebrates manufacturing as its highest-priority industry, and shares a dedication to the industry's success with its neighboring partners, training providers and employers the surrounding counties. Be a part of this can't-miss event! Attendees will then enjoy a half-day agenda packed with a keynote panel discussion and presentations with key takeaway items.
Keynote Panel Discussion:
BusinessPA, which is part of PA's Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) will discuss ways BusinessPA and the Commonwealth can assist manufacturers with business retention and expansion, business attraction strategies, incentives, working with site selectors, current sites and business marketing.
Panelists: Ali Doyle, Justine Belyus, Mike O'Rourke
Moderator: Pamela Menet, AICP, CEcD | Director of Community & Economic Development County of Berks
Ali Doyle | BusinessPA
Ali Doyle currently serves as Managing Director for Business Attraction within BusinessPA, where she leads strategic initiatives to attract investment, grow priority industries, and build partnerships that strengthen Pennsylvania?s economy. With more than a decade of service in both the Shapiro and Wolf Administrations, Doyle has held multiple leadership roles in state government. Prior to joining BusinessPA, she served as Assistant Deputy Director for Operations within the Governor?s Action Team, supporting business attraction and expansion projects in the Northwest and Southwest regions. Earlier in her career, she was the Gov. Wolf?s Southwest Regional Director and also served with the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, overseeing funding opportunities for non-profits, communities and businesses across Western Pennsylvania.
Justine Belyus | BusinessPA
Justine Belyus is the Executive Director of Business Marketing at the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED), where she leads the Commonwealth?s marketing efforts to promote Pennsylvania as a top destination for business. Belyus oversees marketing strategies that showcase Pennsylvania?s competitive advantages, including advertising, events, public relations and site consultant outreach.
Prior to this role, Belyus led the marketing team at the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board in Montgomery County, Pa., as the Associate Vice President of Marketing. During her time there, she spearheaded innovative, award-winning campaigns that elevated the region?s visibility and drove record-breaking visitation numbers.
Belyus has a B.A. in Media Studies from The Catholic University of America.
Mike O'Rourke | BusinessPA
bio coming soon
Presentation: Practical. Protected. Possible - Implementing Generative AI in Manufacturing Without the Hype- Real Tools, Real Wins, Right Now
Generative AI is everywhere, but what does it actually look like on a manufacturing floor? In this session, Ronn Cort shares Dunmore?s real-world journey of applying GenAI across operations, from the office to the plant. You?ll hear what worked, what didn?t, and what?s immediately possible for any manufacturer, regardless of size or digital maturity. No buzzwords, no theory?just tested, practical steps to bring AI into your business safely, securely, and with a clear return. Walk away with ideas you can act on next week.
Ronn Cort | Dunmore
Ronn Cort is President and CEO of Dunmore, a global manufacturer specializing in advanced materials for aerospace, packaging, and industrial markets. With over two decades of leadership experience in specialty manufacturing, Cort is known for driving large-scale organizational change that delivers measurable results.
Before joining Dunmore, he led SEKISUI KYDEX through a decade of transformation - doubling revenue, leading a $34 million multi-site campus expansion, and launching industry-first innovation spaces that generated millions in new revenue. His approach blends continuous improvement, strategic design, and people-first leadership, including programs that cut turnover by more than 30% through career development, coaching and multi-generational workplace design.
Cort?s work has been featured in Plastics Technology, Vistage Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and Plastics News, where he shares insights on innovation, safety, and workforce strategy. He holds an honorary doctorate from Bloomsburg University and has degrees in strategic leadership, organizational design, and innovation from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Cort, however, has found his most meaningful education at Gemba?the place where things happen on the manufacturing floor.
At the core, Cort is a builder?of teams, systems, and ideas. He believes manufacturing can move fast, adapt boldly and stay grounded in purpose.
Presentation: Future-Proofing HR in Manufacturing
The manufacturing and distribution industry faces unique workforce challenges?from shifting employee expectations and rising benefit costs to the rapid impact of AI and automation. In this session, RKL Virtual Management Solutions? HR Advisors will explore how evolving workplace strategies and innovative approaches to employee engagement are reshaping the industry. Attendees will gain insights into the changing role of technology in workforce development and HR operations, as well as emerging trends and best practices to address current and future talent needs. Walk away with actionable ideas to strengthen your organization?s people strategy and build a workforce ready for the future.
Lindsay Heist, MBA| RKL
In her role as HRIS Solutions Practice Leader, Lindsay leads the strategy, development, and optimization of the software capabilities that power RKL Virtual?s HRIS Solution?a comprehensive technology and HR advisory service designed to help organizations streamline their human resource function. With more than 20 years of human resources experience, Heist has worked across diverse industries, including banking, manufacturing, and warehouse distribution. Before rejoining RKL in 2021, Heist served as Human Resources Director for a manufacturing company, where she oversaw talent management, compliance and organizational development initiatives. Her career reflects a strong commitment to aligning people, processes and technology to drive business success.
Lauren Stricker, MAIOP, SHRM-SCP | RKL
Lauren brings extensive experience in compensation strategies, labor market analysis, and workforce optimization. She specializes in job analysis, organizational assessments, and survey design, offering custom solutions that enhance HR practices and drive business success. Since joining RKL in 2019, Stricker has leveraged her diverse HR expertise to help organizations align their compensation structures with strategic goals, improve operational efficiency and foster employee satisfaction. Her commitment to delivering impactful results makes her a trusted partner in advancing workforce strategies.
Presentation: Building Tomorrow's Workforce: Showcasing CTC Student Innovation
This session will highlight the work of CTC students in the manufacturing industry.
Keynote Panel Discussion:
BusinessPA, which is part of PA's Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) will discuss ways BusinessPA and the Commonwealth can assist manufacturers with business retention and expansion, business attraction strategies, incentives, working with site selectors, current sites and business marketing.
Panelists: Ali Doyle, Justine Belyus, Mike O'Rourke
Moderator: Pamela Menet, AICP, CEcD | Director of Community & Economic Development County of Berks
Ali Doyle | BusinessPA
Ali Doyle currently serves as Managing Director for Business Attraction within BusinessPA, where she leads strategic initiatives to attract investment, grow priority industries, and build partnerships that strengthen Pennsylvania?s economy. With more than a decade of service in both the Shapiro and Wolf Administrations, Doyle has held multiple leadership roles in state government. Prior to joining BusinessPA, she served as Assistant Deputy Director for Operations within the Governor?s Action Team, supporting business attraction and expansion projects in the Northwest and Southwest regions. Earlier in her career, she was the Gov. Wolf?s Southwest Regional Director and also served with the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, overseeing funding opportunities for non-profits, communities and businesses across Western Pennsylvania.
Justine Belyus | BusinessPA
Justine Belyus is the Executive Director of Business Marketing at the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED), where she leads the Commonwealth?s marketing efforts to promote Pennsylvania as a top destination for business. Belyus oversees marketing strategies that showcase Pennsylvania?s competitive advantages, including advertising, events, public relations and site consultant outreach.
Prior to this role, Belyus led the marketing team at the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board in Montgomery County, Pa., as the Associate Vice President of Marketing. During her time there, she spearheaded innovative, award-winning campaigns that elevated the region?s visibility and drove record-breaking visitation numbers.
Belyus has a B.A. in Media Studies from The Catholic University of America.
Mike O'Rourke | BusinessPA
bio coming soon
Presentation: Practical. Protected. Possible - Implementing Generative AI in Manufacturing Without the Hype- Real Tools, Real Wins, Right Now
Generative AI is everywhere, but what does it actually look like on a manufacturing floor? In this session, Ronn Cort shares Dunmore?s real-world journey of applying GenAI across operations, from the office to the plant. You?ll hear what worked, what didn?t, and what?s immediately possible for any manufacturer, regardless of size or digital maturity. No buzzwords, no theory?just tested, practical steps to bring AI into your business safely, securely, and with a clear return. Walk away with ideas you can act on next week.
Ronn Cort | Dunmore
Ronn Cort is President and CEO of Dunmore, a global manufacturer specializing in advanced materials for aerospace, packaging, and industrial markets. With over two decades of leadership experience in specialty manufacturing, Cort is known for driving large-scale organizational change that delivers measurable results.
Before joining Dunmore, he led SEKISUI KYDEX through a decade of transformation - doubling revenue, leading a $34 million multi-site campus expansion, and launching industry-first innovation spaces that generated millions in new revenue. His approach blends continuous improvement, strategic design, and people-first leadership, including programs that cut turnover by more than 30% through career development, coaching and multi-generational workplace design.
Cort?s work has been featured in Plastics Technology, Vistage Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and Plastics News, where he shares insights on innovation, safety, and workforce strategy. He holds an honorary doctorate from Bloomsburg University and has degrees in strategic leadership, organizational design, and innovation from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Cort, however, has found his most meaningful education at Gemba?the place where things happen on the manufacturing floor.
At the core, Cort is a builder?of teams, systems, and ideas. He believes manufacturing can move fast, adapt boldly and stay grounded in purpose.
Presentation: Future-Proofing HR in Manufacturing
The manufacturing and distribution industry faces unique workforce challenges?from shifting employee expectations and rising benefit costs to the rapid impact of AI and automation. In this session, RKL Virtual Management Solutions? HR Advisors will explore how evolving workplace strategies and innovative approaches to employee engagement are reshaping the industry. Attendees will gain insights into the changing role of technology in workforce development and HR operations, as well as emerging trends and best practices to address current and future talent needs. Walk away with actionable ideas to strengthen your organization?s people strategy and build a workforce ready for the future.
Lindsay Heist, MBA| RKL
In her role as HRIS Solutions Practice Leader, Lindsay leads the strategy, development, and optimization of the software capabilities that power RKL Virtual?s HRIS Solution?a comprehensive technology and HR advisory service designed to help organizations streamline their human resource function. With more than 20 years of human resources experience, Heist has worked across diverse industries, including banking, manufacturing, and warehouse distribution. Before rejoining RKL in 2021, Heist served as Human Resources Director for a manufacturing company, where she oversaw talent management, compliance and organizational development initiatives. Her career reflects a strong commitment to aligning people, processes and technology to drive business success.
Lauren Stricker, MAIOP, SHRM-SCP | RKL
Lauren brings extensive experience in compensation strategies, labor market analysis, and workforce optimization. She specializes in job analysis, organizational assessments, and survey design, offering custom solutions that enhance HR practices and drive business success. Since joining RKL in 2019, Stricker has leveraged her diverse HR expertise to help organizations align their compensation structures with strategic goals, improve operational efficiency and foster employee satisfaction. Her commitment to delivering impactful results makes her a trusted partner in advancing workforce strategies.
Presentation: Building Tomorrow's Workforce: Showcasing CTC Student Innovation
This session will highlight the work of CTC students in the manufacturing industry.
