UW Madison | Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Manufacturing Systems Engineering alumnus Mike Molnar (’87) has been appointed the first-ever chief manufacturing officer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

As chief manufacturing officer, Molnar will be responsible for planning and coordination of the Institute’s broad array of manufacturing research and services programs. He will serve as NIST’s central point of contact with the White House, the department of commerce and other agencies on technical and policy issues related to manufacturing. He will also support the broader Advanced Manufacturing Partnership recently launched by president Obama that brings industry, universities and the federal government together to invest in emerging technologies.

Molnar has extensive industrial experience, with leadership roles in manufacturing technology, advanced manufacturing engineering, metrology and quality systems. He currently serves as director of environmental policy and sustainable development at the Columbus, IN, headquarters of Cummins Inc.

Molnar graduated from the Manufacturing Systems Engineering (MSE) Program at UW-Madison in 1987 after earning a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He credits his MSE degree with opening many doors and being relevant in many roles throughout his career. For his full assessment of the MSE program, check his "Alumni Profile".

To read the full press release about his new appointment at NIST go to http://www.nist.gov/director/molnar-070111.cfm.