March 1, 2022 (CHICAGO) – MxD, the national digital manufacturing and cybersecurity institute, announced today that CEO Chandra Brown is retiring from the institute, effective June 30, 2022.
Brown, the former CEO of United Streetcar and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing, joined MxD in October 2018.
During her tenure, the institute has grown from 35 to 54 employees and won more than $56 million from the Department of Defense to fund digital manufacturing, supply chain, cybersecurity, and workforce development projects.
The institute now includes more than 320 members and has expanded to establish the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing and MxD Learn, the institute’s workforce development initiative.
Brown led the efforts to diversify the institute’s funding sources to include private grants and to fully realize the MxD 22,000-square-foot research factory floor, used to test and demonstrate new technology, to train the workforce on these new systems and tools, and to demonstrate the need for cybersecurity in manufacturing. Brown has led the development of a multi-year strategic investment plan that aligns institute investments with government, industry, and academic priorities, charting a relevant course for the institute in the years ahead.
“Through the years, industry leaders have sought out Chandra for her passion and unwavering support of America’s manufacturing sector,” said Mary Isbister, President of GenMet Corp. and Chair of MxD’s Board of Directors. “Chandra represented the perfect combination of factory floor experience with insider familiarity of the D.C. Beltway. She will be greatly missed. We hope to continue to leverage her expertise and her evangelism for MxD’s mission.”
“Chandra has led MxD with the practicality of a manufacturer and the savviness of a policymaker, building a team ready to get things done,” said Jay Walsh, Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation at the University of Illinois System. “This was critically important as MxD took on a role as resource and advocate for manufacturers through the pandemic.”
Brown will serve as a part-time adviser to the organization through the end of 2022.
MxD is conducting a national search for a new CEO to lead the organization. The job posting can be found at mxdusa.org/careers. “MxD is looking for another inspiring leader, one who has the right combination of technology, manufacturing, and public sector experience,” said Billy Bardin, Global Digitalization Director at Dow and MxD Board Vice Chairman. “MxD is experiencing tremendous growth and we anticipate its new leader will catalyze future growth by being an industry-wide provocateur and by laying new groundwork for U.S. manufacturing as we emerge from the pandemic and redefine our supply chains.”
About MxD
MxD (Manufacturing x Digital) is where innovative manufacturers go to forge their futures. In partnership with the Department of Defense, MxD equips U.S. factories with the digital tools, cybersecurity, and workforce expertise needed to begin building every part better than the last. As a result, our more than 300 partners increase their productivity, win more business, and strengthen U.S. manufacturing. MxD is also the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing as designated by DoD.
Media Contact:
Alyssa Sullivan, Sr. Director of External Relations
e: alyssa.sullivan@mxdusa.org
p: 312.281.6823