The Atlantic to Host Third "Building the Future" Event on the Future of Manufacturing

Washington, D.C. (May 22, 2014)—Can American workers keep pace with machines on the heels of the U.S. “manufacturing comeback”? On Wednesday, June 4, The Atlantic will bring “Building the Future: Manufacturing’s Software Revolution," its event series on the future of U.S. manufacturing and innovation, to Disputanta, VA. The program will feature leading Virginia public officials—including Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-VA) and Virginia Sec. of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones—along with business and workforce development voices and academics.

The discussion will examine the technologies changing the face of manufacturing and explore what industry and academia are doing to equip the workforce with the skills needed to succeed in an era of increased automation and mechanization. Steve Clemons, Editor-in-Chief of AtlanticLIVE and Washington Editor-at-Large of The Atlantic, will moderate. Siemens is the presenting underwriter of the event.

In addition to Gov. McAuliffe and Sec. Jones, featured speakers include:

• Betty Adams, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center
• Katherine DeRosear, Director of Workforce Development at the Virginia Manufacturers Association
• Barry Johnson, Senior Associate Dean and L.A. Lacy Distinguished Professor of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia
• Will Powers, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Rolls-Royce North America, Inc.
• Eric Spiegel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens USA

“Building the Future” is an ongoing Atlantic event series launched in 2014 focusing on the future of U.S. manufacturing and innovation.  Past events—taking place in industrial centers—have been held in Norwood, OH and Worcester, MA. The series will return for its fourth installment in Philadelphia, PA later this year.