American Manufacturing Futures Institute Launches to Advance the Future of U.S. Manufacturing

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Harrison, NJ — January 15, 2026 — The American Manufacturing Futures Institute (AMFI) today announced its official launch, establishing a national nonprofit platform dedicated to strengthening the future of American manufacturing through people-centered, place-based, and policy-informed approaches.

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AMFI was created to advance American manufacturing at the intersection of people, policy, and place, building global, national, and regional futures for industry. The Institute’s vision is a regenerative industrial future in which manufacturing powers people development, economic resilience, and competitiveness.

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“Manufacturing is foundational infrastructure for communities, the economy, and national resilience,” said Stacey Weismiller, President and CEO of AMFI. “AMFI was launched to help regions and institutions think more deliberately about how people, systems, and places come together to shape the future of industry—and to do so with long-term stewardship in mind.”

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As part of its launch, AMFI announced its founding governance and leadership structure. The Institute’s Board of Directors includes leaders with experience across manufacturing, workforce development, public–private partnerships, and economic development.

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AMFI’s Board of Directors is chaired by Miquela Craytor, with Stephanie Wright serving as Vice President, Jeffrey Bergstein serving as Treasurer, and Paul Lavoie appointed as a member of the Board of Directors.

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“AMFI enters the field at a critical moment for U.S. manufacturing,” said Miquela Craytor, Incoming Board Chair. “Its focus on systems-level thinking, civic responsibility, and collaboration across sectors positions the Institute to contribute meaningfully to the next era of industrial growth.”

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“The future of manufacturing depends as much on emotional intelligence and human alignment as it does on technology and capital,” said Stephanie Wright, Vice President of the Board. “AMFI recognizes that strong manufacturing ecosystems are built by aligning workforce development, leadership, and systems design in ways that support people as whole contributors.”

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“From the outset, AMFI has been designed with responsible stewardship in mind,” said Jeffrey Bergstein, Treasurer of the Board. “Strong governance and strategic vision will ensure the Institute can grow sustainably while serving the manufacturing ecosystem.”

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In addition to his role on the Board, AMFI has named Paul Lavoie as America’s Chief Manufacturing Officer, a leadership position supporting the Institute’s national manufacturing agenda and advising on industry strategy, public–private collaboration, and ecosystem development.

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“AMFI represents the kind of forward-looking, execution-oriented platform U.S. manufacturing needs right now,” said Paul Lavoie, AMFI Board Member and America’s Chief Manufacturing Officer, and Vice President for Innovation & Applied Technology at the University of New Haven. “By bringing together industry, government, and communities around shared priorities, AMFI has the potential to help translate ambition into real, on-the-ground progress.”

AMFI’s early work is guided by four core values:

 

  -People-Powered Manufacturing

  -Strategic Industrial Renewal

  -Long-Haul Stewardship

  -Civic Manufacturing

 

The Institute is currently developing a multi-year operating plan to guide its programming, partnerships, and national engagement. Additional announcements regarding partnerships and program initiatives will follow.

For more information, please contact:

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Stacey Weismiller

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info@manufacturingfuturesinstitute.org

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www.manufacturingfuturesinstitute.org