The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) announced the hiring of Dean Phillips as director of technical training. In this role, Phillips will lead the association’s efforts to expand its technical training offerings to help the industry continue to build a high-caliber workforce.  

“Amid the ongoing manufacturing skills gap, workforce development remains a top priority for PMA,” said PMA President David Klotz. “The demand for PMA’s in-plant training services and technical seminars continues to grow, and I am excited to welcome Dean to the staff to manage our technical programs, develop additional training topics and bring more subject matter experts on board to meet our industry’s needs. Dean’s passion for manufacturing and his extensive technical expertise make him a terrific addition to our team.” 

Prior to joining PMA, Phillips served as a production enhancement engineer at Link Systems in Nashville, TN, for nearly 20 years. He also is the founder of Longevity Industries, a manufacturing media company, and the host of PMA’s Destiny of Manufacturing podcast which features interviews with industry thought leaders who provide insights into the future of manufacturing. 

Phillips succeeds Peter Ulintz who is retiring. Ulintz will continue working with PMA as a consultant, presenting at PMA seminars and conducting in-plant training on his topics of expertise.

“I thank Pete for his outstanding work as technical director and look forward to his continued involvement with PMA as a consultant,” said Klotz. “Pete has been an invaluable member of PMA’s team since 2015. Not only did Pete provide instruction at technical seminars, FABTECH conferences and in-plant training, he was instrumental in the development of PMA’s METALFORM EDU online training platform and also authored MetalForming magazine’s Tooling by Design column.”

For more information, visit www.pma.org/training.