Manufacturing is facing a crisis. More than 2 million skilled workers are needed in U.S. manufacturing in aerospace, defense, automotive, processing, and industrial products.
Here at WOTM, we are determined to fill those positions with women.
Join us on Tuesday, September 29 at 8:30 am CST for a FREE and LIVE panel discussion with educational programming committee chair, Meaghan Ziemba and the following panelists:
Hannah Hines – Student at Rock Valley College
Hannah Hines is finishing up her first year at Rock Valley College in the Aviation Maintenance Technology Program. Currently, she is learning about the different parts of an airplane and how they work together.
Next year, she will be focusing on engines and how they work. One class will be devoted to dismantling a Lycoming 8-cylinder engine and putting back together.
Hannah became interested in the program after attending several aviation events with her mom, Rebecca, who just finished the program.
“After graduation I look forward to exploring the various aviation opportunities available. I’m not quite sure where my career will start, but I do know I want to start an outreach program for young girls to get involved in aviation,” says Hannah. “I also want to get my pilots license.”
Joie Vittetow – Intern Engineer at TAC Rockford
Joie Vittetow has been an intern engineer at TAC Rockford for just over a year. Recently, she was crowned as the 2020 Winnebago County Fair Ambassador.
Joie has dreamt to be an engineer since she was in eighth grade, and was inspired by her father watching him fabricate jeeps. She has an Associate’s degree in engineering science from Rock Valley College. She has coached the Montessori FLL Robotics Team, and she became a member of the Women of Today’s Manufacturing in 2019.
Currently, Joie is a senior at Northern Illinois University through the Rock Valley College engineering program to complete her Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Her goal is to work in the aerospace industry to design airplanes or space shuttle related equipment.
Joie has bilateral, moderate to severe hearing loss since birth. Her loss of hearing has never affected her drive to reach her goals in life. Recently, she has started her own online business as an artist.
Toni Baumann – Technical Design at Rock Valley College and Tad More Tailoring
Toni Baumann has been creating costumes at Rock Valley College Starlight theatre shop for the past five years as their pattern maker. She works closely with the head designer picking out fabric, figuring out fabric yardage for budgeting, measuring actors and actresses, drafting costume fit patterns, planning construction process for volunteers to cut and sew, and conducting final fittings.
She also works at Tad More Tailoring as their garment technologist. She works closely with designers, pattern cutters, and sewers. She oversees every stage of the garment production.
Prior to her current positions, she worked at the Sears corporate office in Hoffman Estates for over 17 years. She worked in the areas of technical design, quality assurance, and lab testing for apparel and footwear products. As the technical designer, she developed technical costing packages for the overseas production staff.
Toni contributes her technical background to her grandparents, 4-H, and her mother teaching her how to sew at age 10. During middle school, she took a plastic/engineering elective class. She learned how to draw scaled drawings using grid paper. In high school, she took engineering/architectural classes and participated in hand drafting and AutoCAD competitions.
Toni received her Associate’s at College of Lake County community college. She focused on science with emphasis on pre-engineering electives. She transferred to College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL. There she took courses in fashion technical design.
Toni enjoys teaching others in various areas of fashion. In the past, she has taught at William Rainey Harper-college as a fashion CAD instructor, presented a workshop for CAD fashion careers, and served as a jury show judge. Currently, she leads a free, after-school sewing club for grades 3rd-8th grades, and leads the Boone Country 4-H STEAM sewing club for 3rd-high school.
In her free time she is an assistant cross-country coach and track coach, Girl Scout assistant leader, and plays in a hand bell choir. She monitors the wind speed often to fly stunt kites with her family. She has been married for over 20 years, has three children, and resides in Poplar, Grove, IL.
Penny Bauer – Co-Owner of Uniwest Enterprises, Inc.
Penny Bauer is co-owner of Uniwest Enterprises, Inc. headquartered in Rockford, IL. Uniwest Enterprises specializes in machine tool sales and service. The company provides support to the industrial, educational, and private sectors.
Having over 44 years of experience in the administrative field, she began her second tandem career of “hands-on” machinery trouble-shooting, technical and repair services some 17 years ago.
She is passionate in supporting local schools in educating our future workforce in the woodworking and metalworking trades. Penny enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, and spoiling her Shih Tzu, Wonton.
Event Sponsored By:
Recent Comments