Foundation

About the NWPA NTMA Education Foundation

The Education Foundation is a Non-Profit 501c3 organization that offers a number of scholarships annually to students who are interested in post-secondary training to prepare for a career in the tool, die and manufacturing industry.  Click for more information regarding scholarships

The Foundation also promotes workforce development through K to 12th grade programming such as Robobots, Career Exploration Opportunities, and New Equipment and Software for technical education classes.  NWPA NTMA Education Foundation is an approved Educational Improvement Organization and may accept contributions through Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC)!  Click to learn more about EITC

The Automated Equipment & Software Grant Program has been providing awards to high schools and career and technology centers in the regions since 2012.  Click for more information regarding grants 

Board of Directors

The NWPA NTMA Education Foundation Board is comprised of members who are dedicated to the educational outreach of students interested in the tool, die and manufacturing industry. 

President - Chris Minnis, LTP Precision.  A Meadville resident, Chris is President/Owner of LTP Precision.

Vice-President - Randy Jones, Marlan Tool.  A Meadville native, serving as a Plant Manager for Marlan Tool, Randy has worked in the industry since 1980.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of the NWPA Chapter NTMA.

Treasurer - Darrin Hyde, HBK CPAs & Consultants. A Crawford County native, serving as a Manager for HBK CPAs & Consultants, Darrin has worked in the public accounting industry since 2018.  He is a graduate of Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor of Science degree in both Accounting and Finance.  He is also a committee member for the Leadership Meadville program.

Secretary - Ross Lockwood, Perkins & Co.

Chris Adams, Tessy Automation.  Chris is an Estimating & Manufacturing Coordinator at NuTec Tooling Systems, Inc. and resides in Meadville.  He has been engaged in the manufacturing industry since 1994.

Len Armel, Acutec Precision Aerospace.  Currently residing in Saegertown, Len has been in the manufacturing industry since 1989.  

Martin Dillaman, Greenleaf Corporation.  Martin is the Global Manager of Engineering and Applications and resides in Meadville.  A graduate of Penn State, he has been working in various roles within local manufacturing since 1997. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the NWPA Chapter NTMA.

Joe Ferguson, Shafer Law Firm.  Joe is an attorney at Shafer Law Firm.  He is a Meadville resident and a graduate of Clarion University and Duquesne University School of Law. Joe concentrates his practice on a variety of litigation matters within the courts of Pennsylvania.

Mark Fisher  Mark is a graduate of Theil College with a degree in Business Administration.  He worked for 8 years in banking / finance prior to getting into the machining industry in 1996.  Mark owned and operated Starlite Diversified for 16 years through 2019.

Kim Flynn, Starn Marketing Group.  Kim is the Director of Marketing at Starn Marketing Group in Meadville. Kim has been involved with the NWPA Chapter NTMA for nearly 20 years in different capacities. She resides in Cambridge Springs and is a 1998 graduate of Edinboro University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Graphics.

Byron Rich, Allegheny College.

Jimmy Severo, Prime Ridez.  Jimmy is a Meadville native and Iraq War veteran. He and his wife Laura owned Ranz Bar & Grill from 2010 - 2024. He currently owns and operates Prime Ridez and Prime Propertiez in Meadville.

Lon Sippy.  A Meadville native and lifelong promoter of the NTMA, Lon has been a toolmaker since 1969 and is currently CEO of Highpoint Tool & Machine. During his ownership of Sipco, they graduated over 50 apprentice toolmakers. In 2020 he created a replica of a 1900's machine shop, the Sippy Historic Machine Shop, to preserve local machining history, and for the NTMA to use to promote the industry.

Mark Smith, Marquette Savings Bank.  A Meadville native, serving as a Business Banker for Marquette Savings Bank, Mark has worked in the industry since 2003 and also serves on the Board of Directors of the NWPA Chapter NTMA.  He is a graduate of Gannon University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Daniel Walsh, Marquette Savings Bank. Currently residing in Edinboro, serving as a Commercial Lender for Marquette Savings Bank, Dan has worked in the industry since 2008.  He is a graduate of Edinboro University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Penn State with an MBA.