FIA Midwest Meeting of Members
January 21, 2025
Blackhawk Technical College
*FIA Member Only Event
Location:
Blackhawk Technical College
6004 S County Road G
Janesville, WI 53546
Registration Fee: $150
*This is an FIA Member Only Event
Please login at the top of this page to begin your registration. The last day to register for this event is January 10, 2025. No registrations will be accepted after this date. If you have questions about registration or would like to submit a paper registration form, please contact Kathy Edwards at kathy@forging.org or call (216) 781-6260.
Agenda:
January 21, 2025
10:00 a.m. |
Registration |
10:30 a.m. |
Welcome from Blackhawk Technical College |
10:45 a.m. |
Tour of Blackhawk College Manufacturing Labs |
11:45 a.m. |
Lunch |
12:30 p.m. |
Presentation: Innovative Rolling-Enrollment Program, and
|
|
Connecting with the Local Business Community |
|
Tracy Pierner & Greg Phillips, Blackhawk Technical College
|
1:30 p.m. |
Adjourn |
About the Presenters:
Dr. Tracy Pierner:
Dr. Tracy Pierner has served as the President of Blackhawk Technical College since 2016, returning to his home state and the Wisconsin Technical College System. Previously, he was Vice President of Academic Affairs at Henry Ford College in Michigan, where he oversaw academic programs, workforce development, and online learning. He also served on server key boards, including the Workforce Intelligence Network and Michigan Project Lead the Way.
Before his tenure at Henry Ford College, Dr. Pierner was the Dean of Technical Education at Aiken Technical College in Aiken, South Carolina, where he led technical education programs and built industry training partnerships. He received the A. Wade Martin Innovator of the Year Award in 2012 and was named him Administrator of the Year by the South Carolina Technical Education Association.
Dr. Pierner began his career in 1999 as an Engineering Technology instructor at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and holds a Ph.D. in Technology Management, along with degrees in Engineering.
Greg Phillips:
Greg Phillips is the Dean of Blackhawk Technical College's MATT Division, where he has played a key role in aligning workforce development with industry needs. He was instrumental in establishing the Stateline Manufacturing Alliance (SMA) to address talent pipeline challenges in manufacturing and helped develop the Accelerated Industrial Maintenance (AIM) program, offering paid summer training participants. Phillips is also involved in community, organizing activities like welding and robotics demonstrations for the Milton Maker Market and volunteering at Milton High School to guide students in exploring career options.
Phillips's career began in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he trained in engine repair. He later worked as a maintenance technician before becoming a construction electrical apprentice instructor at Blackhawk Technical College in 2010. In 2020, he was appointed Dean of the MATT Division, where his leadership continues to impact education and workforce development in the region.
Suggested Hotels: (Note: No Room Block Contracted):
Ironworks Hotel
500 Pleasant Street
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 362-5500
Hotel Goodwin
500 Public Avenue
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 473-1400
Participants are responsible for their own hotel and travel arrangements.
FIA Membership:
Interested in FIA Membership? Contact Tricia Abruzzino at tricia@forging.org or call (216) 781-6260.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations will be permitted until January 7, 2025 and will be refunded in full. After January 7, 2025 no refunds will be given, but substitutions are allowed if submitted to the FIA in writing.
Please Note:
No registration is final until accepted by FIA. FIA reserves the right to refuse registration/attendance to any person. Any registration that is not accepted by the FIA will be refunded in full.