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As manufacturers look ahead to spring 2026, new opportunities are emerging at the intersection of innovation, investment, and industrial transformation. Join us for a forward-looking morning event focused on where growth is happening—and how manufacturers can position themselves to take advantage of it.
This conference will explore emerging industries, public and private investment pathways, and the strategic forces shaping the next phase of manufacturing growth. Topics will include:
- Federal Policy Update
- Panel: Making Your Workforce Future-Ready
- Panel: Winning the Mission: Partnering with the Department of Defense
- Panel: How Manufacturers Can Win in the $245B Data Centers Boom
The program will conclude with networking and discussion among manufacturers, economic partners, and professional services leaders from across the region.
Speakers
Vince Duane
Principal, Copper Monarch LLC
Jon Kirchner
President, Perfero Advisory, DVIRC Board Member
Matthew Herrmann
Principal, The Roosevelt Group
Chris Scafario
President & CEO, DVIRC
Melissa Tarte
HR Manager, DeVal Lifecycle
Dean Miller
President & CEO, PACT
Joe Williams
Owner & Welding Specialist, Joe Williams Welding Foundation
Sean Toolan
COO, Merge Plot
Juan Berrocal
Director, Acquisitions & Contracts, Team Submarine, NAVSEA
Amanda Page
DVIRC Warfighter Technologies Liaison
Rev. Joe Campellone OSFS
Father Judge
Neil Dannug
In-Service Submarines Electrical Systems, NAVSEA
Jim Donahue
Defense Industry Liaison, DVIRC
Hannah McGarry
Director of Workforce Engagement, DVIRC
Nico de Sousa Serro
Lean/Continuous Improvement Content Expert, DVIRC
Agenda
7:30am – 8:25am
Breakfast & Networking
8:25am
Welcome
- Chris Scafario, President and CEO, DVIRC
- Rev. Joe Campellone OSFS, Father Judge – Invocation & Opening Remarks
8:30am – 9:15am
Federal Policy Update
- Matt Hermann, Principal, The Roosevelt Group
9:15am – 10:00am
Panel Session – Making Your Workforce Future-Ready
- Joe Williams, Owner & Welding Specialist, Joe Williams Welding Foundation
- Hannah McGarry, Director, Workforce Engagement, DVIRC
- Melissa Tarte, SHRM-CP, HR Manager, DeVal Lifecycle Support
- EMNCS(SS) Neil Dannug – In-Service Submarines Electrical Systems, NAVSEA
- Moderator: Nico de Sousa Serro, Lean/Continuous Improvement Consultant, DVIRC
10:00am – 10:15am
Break & Networking
10:15am – 10:50am
Panel Session – Winning the Mission: Partnering with the Department of Defense
- Amanda Page, Warfighter Technologies Liaison, DVIRC
- Sean Toolan, COO, Merge Plot
- Juan Berrocal, Director, Acquisitions & Contracts, Team Submarine, NAVSEA
- Moderated by Jim Donahue, Defense Industry Liaison, DVIRC
10:50am – 11:30am
Panel – How Manufacturers Can Win in the $245B Data Centers Boo
- John Kirschner, President, Perfero Advisory
- Vincent Duane, Principal, Copper Monarch LLC
- Dean Miller, President & CEO, Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT)
- Moderator: Chris Scafario, President and CEO, DVIRC