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Business Wire
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ATDM & AM CoE Summit Bolsters Defense Manufacturing Workforce and Partnerships
DANVILLE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leaders from across the defense and manufacturing sectors came together in Danville, Virginia, for the fourth annual joint summit hosted by the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program and the U.S. Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE). Held at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), this year's event, themed All Hands on Deck, focused on addressing workforce and manufacturing shortfalls in Navy shipbuilding and repair. The summit highlighted the growth and momentum of the ATDM program. The ATDM Maritime Training Center provides the space needed for the program to graduate up to 1,000 students per year to meet industry demand, a target it is on track to achieve. Share One of the summit highlights was a keynote address from Admiral James Kilby, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, who spoke to the deep investment the Navy is making in workforce development and innovation as the pillars of our maritime strength. 'This Summit extends far beyond a two-day gathering—it's strengthening America's maritime industrial foundation,' said Matthew Sermon, direct reporting program manager for the Maritime Industrial Base. 'With over 450 participants sharing insights and solutions, the ATDM Maritime Training Center is creating a pipeline of skilled workers, while the Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence is revolutionizing how we produce critical components, reducing production timelines from years or months to weeks or days. Both are gamechangers….and together, these complementary initiatives address both the human talent and technological capabilities needed to build and sustain the fleet our nation requires.' The summit highlighted the growth and momentum of the ATDM program. Earlier this year, the new 100,000-square-foot ATDM Maritime Training Center opened at the IALR campus, expanding the program's capacity to train more students in its 16-week accelerated program. The ATDM Maritime Training Center provides the space needed for the program to graduate up to 1,000 students per year to meet industry demand, a target it is on track to achieve. 'At IALR, we're pioneering new accelerated training methods while building the future workforce for defense and maritime manufacturing,' said Telly Tucker, president of IALR. 'The new ATDM Maritime Training Center is a vital step in growing the talent pipeline, and by hosting the Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence on our campus, we're integrating emerging technologies directly into the hands-on training process. This model ensures our graduates are equipped to meet challenges in shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing.' Alongside workforce training, the co-located AM CoE continues to push the boundaries of additive manufacturing for Navy applications. The center is actively reducing production timelines for complex parts and exploring how advanced processes can support both new builds and fleet sustainment. The AM CoE is also providing connective tissue for ATDM students as they gain experience in additive manufacturing. Throughout the summit, attendees heard from defense contractors, technical experts and government officials about the real-world impact of programs like ATDM and AM CoE. Representatives from major shipbuilders and supply chain companies discussed how the ability to hire ATDM graduates has shortened ramp-up times and helped meet production schedules. The summit wrapped up with a clear sense of shared purpose and momentum. By combining accelerated training with cutting-edge innovation, ATDM and AM CoE are shaping a model for how public-private collaboration can secure the future of U.S. maritime power. About ATDM Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) was created to teach the skills needed to increase military equipment production in the United States. The program is located at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, Virginia. Students at ATDM are trained in the skills needed to repair, upfit and build submarines, and these skills are transferable to other defense industry companies. Students earn the skills needed to secure great-paying, in-demand defense industry jobs in these skilled trades: additive manufacturing, CNC machining, non-destructive testing, quality control inspection (also known as metrology) and welding. For additional information, visit About IALR The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation through applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services, and economic development efforts. IALR's major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. For more information, visit
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Del. Danny Marshall to retire after 24 years in Virginia House
Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, has served in the Virginia House of Delegates since 2002. (Photo courtesy of Danny Marshall) Virginia Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election this fall, bringing an end to a 24-year career in the House of Delegates. While he did not provide a reason for his decision, Marshall, 73, emphasized that he will continue serving his district until his term concludes at the end of the year. The Chatham Star-Tribune first reported the news Wednesday morning. 'I will still be your delegate until the end of the year, but I will not seek to have my name on the ballot in November,' Marshall, a businessman and former president of Marshall Concrete Inc., said in a statement. 'Our office will strive to help you, and I will still be working hard to bring economic development opportunities during this final year in office.' Marshall, who has represented the 49th House District, which comprises Danville and parts of Halifax and Pittsylvania counties, since 2002, has built a reputation as a champion for economic development in Southside Virginia. His legislative work has focused on job creation, workforce development, and infrastructure projects aimed at revitalizing the region. Among his early legislative achievements, Marshall highlighted his efforts to establish the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, a project that became his first bill in 2002. The following year, he worked to secure funding for IALR in the state budget. 'The Institute has been an invaluable catalyst for our economic revitalization in Southside Virginia, and I am proud to have helped get it off the ground,' Marshall said. He also played a significant role in the Virginia Tobacco Commission, which allocates the state's proceeds from the National Tobacco Settlement to support economic development in rural communities. Marshall noted that the commission has helped create 'tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in Southside Virginia.' A former Danville City Council member, Marshall has served on several key committees, including the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, where he is vice-chair, and the House Appropriations Committee. He has also been active on the Virginia Housing Commission and the Manufacturing Development Commission. Marshall's tenure in Richmond spanned more than two decades and 11 successful re-election campaigns. In his statement, he said he was always mindful of the trust his constituents placed in him. 'Each time I was humbled by the trust constituents had placed in me, and I never took it for granted,' he said. 'My energies were always directed towards what was best for my constituents — not what was best for my political party.' Pittsylvania County Republican Committee Chairman Will Pace praised Marshall's contributions, particularly his focus on job creation. 'Delegate Marshall would say that the three most important issues that we face are 'jobs, jobs, jobs,'' Pace said. 'Throughout his tenure, Delegate Marshall has made it a goal to create the environment to provide more jobs in our area.' Pace also acknowledged Marshall's role in major economic projects, including the Berry Hill Megasite, the Cane Creek Centre, and the IALR. 'A Republican will succeed Delegate Marshall when his term in office concludes, even though that Republican will have massive shoes to fill,' Pace said, adding that he expects Marshall to remain engaged in the community. With Marshall's departure, the race to fill his seat will take shape in the coming months. A Republican primary is scheduled for June 17, with the general election to follow on Nov. 4. Democrat Gary Miller, a longtime city council member from Danville, has already announced his bid for Marshall's seat. The 49th District leans Republican, handing the edge to the eventual GOP nominee. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
