America Makes names Kimberly Gibson as Ecosystem Director
October 15, 2021
America Makes, Youngstown, Ohio, USA, has announced the expansion of its leadership team with the hiring of Kimberly Gibson as the institute’s first Ecosystem Director.
Heading into its tenth year of operation, America Makes states it is prioritising a focus on maturing the Additive Manufacturing ecosystem through the continued engagement of its membership community, developing strategic partnerships across the industry. In this newly created role, Gibson is positioned to spearhead these efforts and actively engage with the community to advance this mission.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Kimberly’s background and experience join the America Makes team,” stated John Wilczynski, Executive Director, America Makes. “Her unique blend of experience as an innovator in the additive industry, staff member at a DoD innovation institute, and in public-private partnerships, will bring tremendous value to the entire America Makes community and help us advance our mission to accelerate the adoption of Additive Manufacturing.”
Prior to this official position, Gibson was an active member and participant in the America Makes advisory groups. In 2020, she was recognised as an America Makes Ambassador for her role in bringing forth additively manufactured personal protective equipment (PPE) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Since my first encounter with 3D printing, I have been a strong advocate for the importance of this technology to the future of American manufacturing,” Gibson added. “The new role at America Makes provides an ideal platform to transfer the benefits of additive technologies broadly to small and large businesses across urban and rural America.”
Prior to joining NCDMM, Gibson served as the Chief of Marketing, Digital Media and Business Development for IC3D, a vertically integrated AM printing company and America Makes member. During her six-year tenure with the company, Gibson was responsible for leading Business Development and Marketing for IC3D since its inception. She previously served as Communications Manager of LIFT (the national manufacturing institute for lightweighting of land, air, and sea transportation), as well as both Director – Workforce Technology & Community Partnership and Director – Advanced Energy Manufacturing Center at the Edison Welding Institute (EWI) in Columbus, Ohio.
Gibson has an extensive background in economic development, government affairs, regional planning, and has authored numerous publications. She spends her free time on a charter school board for four high school dropout recovery programmes in inner-city Columbus, incorporating career tech education into the curriculum, and through the IC3D-initiated AM Toys for Tots drive with the US Marine Corps Reserve, delivering 18,000 additively manufactured toys to needy children in 2020.
