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Gov. Deval Patrick, Rep. Jim McGovern to Discuss U.S. Manufacturing's Software Revolution at The Atlantic's 'Building the Future' Event

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Washington, D.C. (April 3, 2014)—In this era of innovation during which new technologies like the 3-D printer have been introduced and American industrial growth has been placed on the political priority list, the US’ “manufacturing comeback” is regularly in the headlines.  On Wednesday, April 16, The Atlantic will address this topic with “Building the Future: Manufacturing’s Software Revolution,” the second installment in a series of events examining the future of American manufacturing and innovation.  Featuring leading Massachusetts political officials—including Governor Deval Patrick (D-Mass.) and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.)—along with business and workforce development voices and academics, the event will be held at Worcester’s historic Hanover Theatre beginning at 9:00am.

Discussion topics will include technologies changing the face of manufacturing and a  look at what industry and academia are doing to equip the workforce with the skills needed to succeed in this new era. Steve Clemons, Editor-in-Chief of AtlanticLIVE and Washington Editor-at-Large of The Atlantic, will moderate the event.

Additional speakers include:

  • Rachel Kaprielian, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development
  • Tim Murray, former Lieutenant Governor, The State of Massachusetts
  • Eric Spiegel, President and CEO of Siemens USA
  • David Thomas, VP of Engineering, Research, and Development, Bose
  • Toby Bergstrom, Operations Manager of Manufacturing Labs, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
  • Dr. Gail Carberry, President, Quinsigamond Community College
  • Dr. Sheila Harrity, Principal, Worcester Technical High School
  • Tom Wesley, Director of Strategic Planning, Waters Corporation; Steering Committee Chair, Manufacturing Advancement Center Workforce Innovation Collaborative

“Building the Future” is an ongoing Atlantic event series, launched in 2014, exploring the future of innovation across industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and energy.  The series—taking place in industrial hotspots across the nation—kicked off in Norwood, OH, and will come to cities across the United States later this year.

Media interested in attending the event should contact The Atlantic’s Alexi New (anew@theatlantic.com). For those unable to attend in person, the event will be webcast live via The Atlantic’s new Events Channel. The conversation can also be followed online via @Atlantic_LIVE, and by using the hashtag #BuildTheFuture.

Siemens is the presenting underwriter of the event.