Growing up in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, I witnessed firsthand the heartbeat of American manufacturing. I remember the hum of machines, the rhythm of assembly lines, and the pride of workers crafting products that powered industries across the nation. I can still smell the oil and hear the machines in the wire-cutting electrical discharge machining (EDM) shop that my grandfather owned and operated.

From being a major center for the woolen industry in the 19th century to General Electric being the primary employer in the 20th century, Pittsfield was a town where manufacturing wasn’t just an economic activity—it was a way of life.

Although manufacturing is no longer at the center of Pittsfield life, it’s still a critical industry. Today, I’m proud to work at NIST supporting a program that expands American manufacturing, Manufacturing USA. Our goal is to help towns like Pittsfield excel in modern manufacturing.

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