Michael F. Molnar, FSME, CMfgE, PE, was recently sworn in as SME's 2014 president of the 81-year-old organization dedicated to advancing manufacturing and attracting future generations.
Following a 25-year industry career in advanced manufacturing Molnar, joined the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the U.S. Department of Commerce as the first chief manufacturing officer, and now leads the office to coordinate interagency activities and Administration initiatives in advanced manufacturing. Molnar also leads the NIST Advanced Manufacturing Office, for extramural programs and liaison to industry and academia for manufacturing.
Since joining SME in 1982, Molnar has held many leadership positions including several roles on the SME Board and Executive Committee, chair of the SME Member Council, chair of the Technical Community Network (TCN), chair of the former Robotics International Association of SME (RI/SME), chair of the Automated Manufacturing & Assembly Community, chair of the Robotics Tech Group and organizing chair for several SME conferences.
Here is an excerpt from Mike Molnar's acceptance speech.
"SME has been a part of my life for more than 30 years. I’ve always felt that participation in a professional society is a net win — by participating in volunteer service, I not only contribute to our profession, but also gain invaluable experience in the process. I’ve learned a great deal by working with so many truly outstanding volunteer and staff leaders. For a manufacturing guy, SME is the place to be.
To be entrusted with this office is truly an honor, and I thank you for this opportunity. I pledge, like the many other presidents before me, to do my best to leave SME stronger, and better, at the end of my tenure. I have great role models here, as I’m following in the footsteps of some outstanding leaders that have set the bar pretty high."