JOHNSTOWN, PA – The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) announced today that John Schmitt, founding Executive Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation and Integration Center (AMIIC) located in Huntsville, AL, will transition to the role of Executive Consultant effective immediately. The organization has appointed Jamie White, previously the Director of Program Development for NCDMM, as the Senior Director of AMIIC.
Established in 2021 by NCDMM, AMIIC has been instrumental in bridging the workforce gap in Alabama and advocating for the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly to meet the modernization needs of the U.S. Army and small- to medium-sized manufacturers who are critical to the defense industrial base.
John has spearheaded AMIIC’s ability to advance regional technologies of interest through innovation, seamless integration, and workforce development across government, industry, and academia. Under his direction, AMIIC has supported numerous local and regional partners in areas such as process and supply chain enhancement, product development, technology adoption, skills gap analysis, workforce planning, and career pathway development. AMIIC’s impact, enabled through NCDMM’s robust Education and Workforce Development (EWD) programs, also includes internships, apprenticeships, workforce training, stackable credentials, K-12 engagement, and DEI-focused worker training. To date, AMIIC has trained over 1,600 students and professionals. (Read more about key milestones under Schmitt’s leadership below)
“John’s leadership, unique understanding of the industrial base, and experience have been crucial in shaping AMIIC into the innovation hub it is today,” said NCDMM Vice President and Chief Development Officer Randy Gilmore. “As John passes the torch, we are confident that Jamie’s deep knowledge, expertise, and unwavering commitment will build upon the strong foundation he helped shape at AMIIC, further advancing our mission. I am grateful for John’s service and look forward to collaborating with him in a consulting role on future initiatives.”
Before his 2021 AMIIC appointment as Executive Director, Schmitt retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel with over 20 years of service, including two combat tours in Iraq. He remains active in the Huntsville community as a small business owner and entrepreneur, serving on the boards of Little Orange Fish and Rocket City Civil Rights, LLC, and the advisory boards of GeneCapture Inc., ASCTE, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Science.
“It has been an incredible honor to lead the talented AMIIC team and serve our amazing community over the past three years. Together with our partners, we have built something truly transformative for Alabama and created a lasting impact across the broader national defense manufacturing landscape,” said Schmitt. “I am proud of what we’ve built together and deeply grateful for the support from NCDMM and our partners. While there is still much to accomplish, I’m confident that the powerful partnerships we’ve cultivated will enable the AMIIC team to make an even greater impact in the future.”
White officially joined NCDMM in 2023 after having served as a U.S. Army civilian since 2005 at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. While at Redstone, he served as the aviation manufacturing technology (ManTech) branch chief at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC), and as Deputy Director of the Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S). He played a vital role in establishing AMIIC, garnering support from the Huntsville community to shape its vision. With his deep knowledge of the Department of Defense (DoD) and manufacturing, White excels at identifying, developing, and prioritizing innovative technology programs and business opportunities aligning with the capabilities of NCDMM, and the needs of the DoD.
“AMIIC has further enhanced NCDMM’s long-standing reputation as a local, and regional, trusted partner in manufacturing and workforce modernization, and I’m honored to take on the role of Senior Director,” stated White. “With NCDMM’s strong legacy of driving innovation and meeting DoD needs, I’m excited to further expand our impact in North Alabama and beyond. Over the past three years, the team has built a solid foundation for NCDMM operations in Huntsville through collaboration, meeting customer needs, and serving as an unbiased partner. I’m confident we are poised for continued success and am extremely grateful to NCDMM leadership for their trust and support.”
For more information, please visit: ncdmm.org or amiic.us.
Key milestones under Schmitt’s leadership include:
- AMIIC officially opened its doors to the manufacturing community in February 2022, quickly establishing itself as a hub for industry collaboration. An advisory board consisting of North Alabama leaders was formed to support its mission and guide its strategic direction.
- Throughout 2022, AMIIC expanded its community impact by offering free classroom space to non-profits, government organizations, and community groups while providing discounted rates to for-profit entities. Notably, AMIIC supported initiatives such as the Biden Administration’s “AM Forward,” designed to boost the use of 3D printing in domestic supply chains, and sponsored the all-girl robotics team, the Nerdettes, who qualified for the FIRST Tech Robotics National Championship.
- Additionally, AMIIC played a pivotal role in advancing additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, offering a free three-day AM Workflow course for government employees and contractors. AMIIC also hosted America Makes’ annual Technical Review and Exchange event, further cementing both the organization and Huntsville’s reputation as a leader in advanced manufacturing.
- In 2023, AMIIC made strides in workforce development by leading a congressional campaign that informed lawmakers about the critical role of advanced manufacturing in national defense. The organization also partnered with Huntsville City Schools and the U.S. Army to develop future workforce programs, preparing the next generation of engineers and technicians.
- Also, in 2023, AMIIC and NCDMM became the first non-profit mentors in the Department of Defense Mentor-Protégé Program, allowing them to better guide small businesses in meeting defense contracting requirements and supporting the nation’s defense industrial base.
- Between 2022 and 2024, AMIIC hosted over 150 community events, providing a platform for small businesses and regional manufacturers to receive support, guidance, and training. These events were instrumental in promoting manufacturing readiness and resilience within the local industrial base. AMIIC remains focused on continuing Manufacturing Readiness Assessments (MRA) efforts and MRA education programs.
- Most recently, AMIIC has partnered with the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) to enhance workforce development in advanced manufacturing. This collaboration will give UAH students access to AMIIC’s cutting-edge lab space and equipment, preparing them for defense, aerospace, and industrial trade careers.