Dear SME Colleagues and Partners,

I am reaching out to inform you that Bob Willig will be retiring from his position as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer at SME in December 2024 to enjoy well-deserved time with his family at the conclusion of a distinguished career.

We are incredibly grateful to Bob for his vision, leadership, and dedication. Since he started with the organization as CEO in January 2021, Bob has overseen great changes and guided us through an industry evolving due to the pandemic and other global market influences. Bob has provided a robust plan to ensure the long-term success of SME. Under his leadership, SME’s position as a respected leader and industry voice with a 90+ year legacy of demonstrated impact across the industry, has never been stronger. Together, we have built a strong foundation for growth and are confident that SME will continue to play an important role in the advancement of the industry and the nation.

Bob will continue to lead SME while a comprehensive search is conducted. Guided by the SME Board of Directors, Bob and his team will maintain the pace that you have seen since he joined SME — 2024 promises to be a busy and productive year for us.

Thank you for your continued support of our shared vision of positioning SME as a preeminent industry thought leader in manufacturing.

Sincerely,

Winston F. Erevelles, PhD
SME President