MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, has announced the addition of six new staff members across various departments, including human resources, workforce development, government relations, and public policy. This expansion aims to enhance the organization’s capacity to address the evolving needs of manufacturers in Central and Upstate New York.
Leadership Appointments and Their Roles
Among the new hires is Bill Brower, who brings decades of experience in leadership roles within higher education, philanthropy, and community development. He has been appointed as the director of public policy and community impact. In this position, Brower will collaborate with manufacturers, elected officials, educators, and community partners to influence public policy and develop workforce pathways.
Brower has a notable history of raising significant funds for institutions such as Hamilton College, SUNY Geneseo, and Le Moyne College. His initiatives have successfully connected historically underserved populations to career pathways and technology training, particularly focusing on the region’s growing advanced manufacturing and semiconductor sectors.
Courtney Kless joins MACNY as a government relations specialist. In this role, she will facilitate communication between the organization and government officials at local, state, and federal levels. Kless will convey MACNY’s policy priorities and engage stakeholders on key issues affecting manufacturers. With a background in editorial leadership and higher education, she brings skills in strategic communications and relationship-building.
Strengthening Workforce Development
In a bid to enhance workforce development initiatives, Adrianna Patzer has been appointed as a workforce development specialist. Patzer will focus on expanding MACNY’s registered apprenticeship programs in the Central New York region. Her responsibilities include promoting apprenticeship opportunities and collaborating with businesses and educational institutions to address workforce challenges in high-demand industries.
Another addition to the workforce development team is Meriel Stokoe, who will support MACNY’s direct entry pre-apprenticeship programs. Stokoe will work to strengthen connections between education and industry, facilitating participant recruitment and employer engagement.
Sarah Snyder, also a workforce development specialist, has a background in public health and government operations. She will apply her project management experience to support pre-apprenticeship programming, focusing on program implementation and participant enrollment.
Lastly, Colette Emmons has joined MACNY as the human relations manager, bringing over 15 years of experience in human resources across various sectors. Emmons will oversee both strategic and operational functions within human resources, including recruiting, employee development, and compliance.
Founded over 113 years ago, MACNY is a nonprofit organization that represents manufacturers throughout Central and Upstate New York. The new hires aim to bolster the association’s efforts in addressing the challenges and opportunities within the manufacturing sector.
