Join us during Manufacturing Month to learn how the University of Wisconsin–Madison supports the manufacturing industry statewide, including right here in the greater Fox River Valley! Hear from a panel moderated by Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin, including the new dean of the College of Engineering and a local manufacturing policy expert, as they discuss the UW’s cutting-edge engineering research, skilled workforce development, and partnerships that help manufacturers boost productivity and competitiveness. Discover how the university is working with communities statewide to:
- build strong businesses,
- keep the best workforce talent right here in Wisconsin, and
- make a healthier Wisconsin.
Learn how you can help support the College of Engineering and job creation in your community.
Appetizers and beverages will be provided.
Speakers
Scott Manley ’95 is the executive vice president of government relations at Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC). He serves as chief lobbyist for WMC, and oversees the government relations program by directing a team of lobbyists and policy experts. Together, they work with legislators and state agency officials to advance WMC’s agenda to make Wisconsin the most competitive state in the nation for jobs and business. He has also served more than ten years as a policy advisor in the Wisconsin State Senate, where he focused his policy work in the areas of environment, natural resources, taxation and the judiciary.
Jennifer L. Mnookin is the 30th leader of the University of Wisconsin–Madison in its history. Under her leadership, the university has been designated as a national center for innovation and economic prosperity and recognized as one of the top institutions in the country for opening doors to opportunity. In 2024, she announced the multifaceted Wisconsin Research, Innovation, and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative, designed to strategically position UW–Madison to address some of the world’s grand challenges over the next several years. Mnookin has spent her academic career at top public research universities, including the University of California–Los Angeles and the University of Virginia. She has also been a visiting professor of law at Harvard Law School and holds degrees from Harvard, Yale, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is one of the nation’s leading legal scholars and an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Devesh Ranjan MS’05, PhD’07 is the Grainger Dean of the College of Engineering. A professor of mechanical engineering, Ranjan’s interdisciplinary research focuses on power conversion, complex fluid flows, and the turbulent mixing of materials in extreme conditions such as supersonic and hypersonic flows. He has received numerous awards for his scientific contributions, including a U.S. Department of Energy early-career award, a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, and a U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research young-investigator award. He is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and received its Gustus L. Larson Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in Mechanical Engineering in 2023. An avid educator and passionate mentor, he also has earned several honors for teaching excellence and mentoring.
Schedule of Events
| 5 p.m. | Optional tour of the EAA Museum |
| 5:30 p.m. | Reception |
| 6:30 p.m. | Program |
| 7:30 p.m. | Event concludes |
Additional Information
When you register, please inform us of any dietary needs, accommodations (such as captions or interpreting services), or other needs.
John Pfeifer is the president and CEO of Oshkosh Corporation, which owns a diverse portfolio of leading brands dedicated to essential service vehicles and machinery. Prior to joining Oshkosh Corporation in 2019, Mr. Pfeifer served 13 years with Brunswick Corporation, most recently as senior vice president and president of Mercury Marine, a global leader in marine propulsion systems, parts and accessories. During his Brunswick tenure, he also served as president of Brunswick Marine in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as president of the Brunswick Asia Pacific Group. Earlier in his career, he held executive and general management positions with ITT Corporation and Milacron, Inc. He brings over 30 years of senior leadership and global management experience to Oshkosh Corporation. Pfeifer also serves on the board for James Hardie Industries and the National Exchange Bank and Trust, and on the board of trustees at Froedtert ThedaCare Health, Inc.