Florida MEP: Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2007

For more information please contact:
Gene Lussier
Board Chair, Florida MEP
954-565-0047

THE FLORIDA MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF LORETTA KISH AND DR. JAMES C. LANGE TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Prominent business leaders bring industry knowledge and skill to the Florida MEP
CELEBRATION, FL - The Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Florida MEP) is proud to announce the addition of two prominent business leaders to its board of directors. Loretta Kish and Dr. James C. Lange bring a wealth of industry knowledge to Florida MEP, a non-profit service helping manufacturers gain a competitive edge in the global marketplace.

“Loretta and James will be a great asset in advocating for the Florida MEP’s programs,” said Gene Lussier, Chair of the Florida MEP Board of Directors. “Loretta has a great deal of experience in the manufacturing industry and in the management of successful Florida companies, while James’ strength comes from his communications management roles, where he helped build manufacturing companies’ revenue base through public outreach.”

Kish is the founder and president of Sea-Watch Technologies, Inc. which provides Internet-based monitoring and alert systems for yachts, sport yachts and cruisers, using software that currently monitors and controls a variety of NASA space operations. Sea-Watch is one of four chosen businesses to be located in the new Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) Business Innovation Center in Melbourne, Fla. Kish’s experience includes manufacturing electronics for military, aviation, satellite, railway and marine use. She began her electronics career at Harris Corporation in Palm Bay, Fla. and has since held manufacturing management positions at various companies in Brevard County. Kish developed and taught the Electro-Mechanical Assembly Course at Brevard Community College for ITT Corporation, as well as Harris, Storage Technology, and Atlantic Scientific Corporations.

Dr. Lange is the general manager of Ham Polo Club in London, England. His previous experiences in the manufacturing industry include sales management positions at PictureTel in Sough, England, Polycom LTD. in Oxford, England and Databit Ltd. in Purley, England, establishing new European channels and increasing revenues two-fold or more. As proprietor of Lanco Consulting, Dr. Lange devised and implemented strategic planning and sales training for high-technology manufacturing companies including Alctel, CLI, Datech, Phillips and Siemens. A former academic, Dr Lange also worked in satellite television and telecommunications in Australia in the 1980s.

“Our board will develop a strategic direction for Florida MEP by helping to secure state matching funds and approving operating plans over the coming years,” said Lussier. “With the addition of Loretta and James to our board of talented directors, the future of our organization is in good hands.”

For more information on Florida MEP please visit, www.floridamep.org.

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About Florida MEP
The Florida MEP, supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, helps small- to medium-sized manufacturers (SME’s) identify and implement advanced manufacturing and management technologies to help them compete in and increasingly global market, which ultimately strengthens Florida’s economy. It is part of a nationwide network of 59 MEP centers enabling manufacturers to compete globally, supporting greater supply chain integration and providing access to technology for improved productivity. Through programs facilitated by the Florida MEP, companies learn tactics to save money, adequately compete in the marketplace, implement more efficient management strategies, and apply lean manufacturing methodologies, which present the biggest opportunity for immediate bottom-line improvements. The methods implemented by these companies result in significant economic benefits regionally and statewide.

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