America Makes appoints Andrew Thompson to chair RMAG and Rick Russell to lead executive committee
February 20, 2025
America Makes, based in Youngstown, Ohio, USA, has announced the new chairpersons of the Roadmap Advisory Group (RMAG) and the Institute’s Executive Committee.
RMAG
Andrew Thompson, Deputy Chief Engineer, Additive Manufacturing, at Northrop Grumman Space Systems, has been appointed chair of the RMAG. In this role, he is expected to lead the group’s strategic direction, drive key initiatives, recruit new members, engage working groups, and organise meetings. He will also oversee the strategic-level roadmap, collaborating with America Makes to maintain data, align priorities, brief the Executive Committee on project call topics, and work to ensure the roadmap advances the Institute’s mission.
At Northrop Grumman, Thompson is responsible for the development and implementation of Additive Manufacturing technologies. He has extensive experience in designing, developing, and utilising aerospace components and systems as well as expertise in Additive Manufacturing techniques for manufacturing these components. Thompson has developed knowledge of managing assembly integration, test operations, and additive processes through his previous career roles. He is reported to have successfully led cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, cost-effective solutions that exceed requirements.
“Andrew’s expertise in Additive Manufacturing and his leadership within the industry make him an excellent choice to chair the Roadmap Advisory Group,” stated Brandon Ribic, PhD, America Makes Technology Director. “His strategic vision and commitment to collaboration will be instrumental in guiding the group’s efforts, ensuring that our roadmap remains aligned with the evolving needs of the AM ecosystem. We look forward to working with him to drive impactful advancements in the field.”
Executive Committee
Rick Russell has been named the chairperson of the America Makes Executive Committee. In this role, he will lead a group of industry experts across academia, government, workforce and economic development organisations, looking to ensure that the right strategies, policies, and advocacy efforts are in place to advance the Institute’s mission. This committee is noted as playing a critical role in guiding America Makes as it works to accelerate AM adoption and strengthen US manufacturing competitiveness globally.
Committee members are expected to bring deep industry expertise and insights into the current and future state of AM, advising the Institute on technical priorities, membership value, ecosystem and partnership strategies, and workforce development initiatives.
Russell is a Principal ADDvisor with The Barnes Global Advisors and specialises in metal AM certification and qualification. His journey in AM began nearly fifteen years ago as the Materials and Processes and Fracture Control Lead for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, where he helped develop pathways to certify critical AM hardware for human spaceflight applications. Later, as NASA Technical Fellow for Materials, he led the team that authored NASA-STD-6030 “Additive Manufacturing Requirements for Spaceflight Systems.” Russell also has a long history of engagement with America Makes, having previously served on the Roadmap Advisory Group (RMAG).
Alongside Russell’s leadership, Sandra DeVincent Wolf, PhD, will serve as Secretary of the Executive Committee. Dr Wolf is the Executive Director of the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Manufacturing Futures Institute, where she works to identify, connect, leverage, and accelerate manufacturing research at CMU. She is also the Executive Director of the CMU NextManufacturing Center, a hub for AM research. She leads the centre’s activities, partnerships, and industry consortiums while also serving as Director of the metals AM laboratories.
Before joining CMU in 2015, Dr Wolf spent fifteen years in research, development, engineering, and management in advanced materials and manufacturing. She also has over a decade of experience in executive management within professional materials associations, where she led initiatives from conception through implementation and assessment.
John Wilczynski, Executive Director of America Makes, stated, “Rick and Sandra are both highly respected leaders in the additive community, and we are excited to have them in these key roles. Rick’s extensive experience in AM certification and qualification, along with his strong grasp of industry needs, will be crucial in guiding the Executive Committee, while Sandra’s leadership in manufacturing research and her ability to foster collaboration will further enhance our strategic initiatives. They undoubtedly will help drive the Institute’s mission forward and strengthen the Institute’s overall impact.”
