SME’s Brett Conner joins America Makes executive committee

SME Chief Manufacturing Officer Dr. Brett Conner has been named to a two-year term on the America Makes Executive Committee, where he will help shape additive manufacturing strategy, policy and workforce efforts. The appointment deepens the long-running SME-America Makes partnership as the groups push broader adoption of industrial 3D printing across U.S. manufacturing.

Why it matters: - The appointment puts an SME manufacturing leader inside the nation’s top additive manufacturing public-private partnership. - Conner’s role is tied to strategy, policy and advocacy around additive manufacturing adoption. - The work also targets workforce development, industry-accepted credentials and broader U.S. manufacturing innovation.

What happened: - SME Chief Manufacturing Officer Dr. Brett Conner was appointed to a two-year term on the Executive Committee of America Makes. - America Makes is the nation’s leading public-private partnership for additive manufacturing. - Conner joined SME in 2025 as the nonprofit’s first chief manufacturing officer. - The Executive Committee includes representatives from government, academia, nonprofits and industry. - America Makes also gave Conner a Distinguished Collaborator Award at its annual Members Meeting and Exchange in Youngstown, Ohio.

The details: - Conner will help guide America Makes’ strategy, policy and advocacy efforts. - His work will support initiatives aimed at accelerating additive manufacturing adoption. - The appointment gives SME a seat in efforts to build the skilled workforce needed for additive manufacturing growth. - Conner will also contribute to partnerships with state, regional and national stakeholders. - Conner said the appointment is an honor and noted that America Makes and SME have worked closely together since America Makes was founded in 2012. - Conner said he wants to build on that relationship to drive innovation and growth across manufacturing. - Conner previously led the Advanced Manufacturing Research Center at Youngstown State University. - Conner also co-founded the additive manufacturing startup Freshmade 3D. - Conner is a U.S. Air Force veteran and holds a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. - SME and America Makes have worked together on programs including the first additive manufacturing certification. - The two groups also delivered online additive training to companies during COVID. - America Makes’ Spring Technical Review and Exchange conference was co-located with SME’s RAPID + TCT event for the second time this year. - America Makes will co-locate its Spring TRX in Detroit again in 2027 alongside RAPID + TCT.

Between the lines: - The appointment signals continued alignment between a major manufacturing association and the country’s key additive manufacturing network. - Conner’s background spans industry, academia and defense, which may help bridge technical, workforce and policy priorities. - The recurring joint events suggest the partnership is becoming more operational, not just symbolic.

What's next: - Conner will serve out the two-year term on the Executive Committee. - America Makes and SME are expected to keep advancing shared efforts on certification, training and industry collaboration. - The next scheduled joint conference milestone is the 2027 Spring TRX in Detroit alongside RAPID + TCT.

The bottom line: - SME is placing one of its top manufacturing leaders at the center of U.S. additive manufacturing strategy at a time when the sector is still building the talent and partnerships needed for wider adoption.