Manufacturing Technology Division Chief elected to SME College of Fellows

  • Published
  • By RenĂ© Boston Edmondson
  • AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the world's leading professional society serving the manufacturing industry, has elected John P. Mistretta to the prestigious College of Fellows for 2006.

Mr. Mistretta is the chief of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Manufacturing Technology Division. He began his Air Force career in 1985 and has since held various senior technical and management positions specializing in manufacturing, materials and processes, structures, propulsion and stealth-enabling technologies.

In his 20 years of experience addressing Air Force manufacturing issues, he has been instrumental in delivering manufacturing solutions to weapon systems and contributing to research and development, including processing improvements for castings, forgings, composites, and electronics to manufacture aircraft, missiles and space systems. He is currently responsible for establishing, advocating and executing the Manufacturing Technology agenda for the Air Force.

As the program manager for the Air Force's Industrial Preparedness (IP) Program, Mr. Mistretta is in charge of planning and executing activities associated with the five efforts under the IP Program, including Manufacturing Technology, Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages, Defense Priorities and Allocation System, and Industrial Base Assessment. Mr. Mistretta is also the Office of the Secretary of Defense executive agent for the Defense Production Act Title III program.

"It is a great honor to be elected to the College of Fellows," Mr. Mistretta said, "and a privilege to be recognized with such exceptional professionals who have advanced the field of manufacturing through performance and leadership."

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is the world's leading professional society supporting manufacturing education. Through its member programs, publications, expositions, and professional development resources, SME promotes an increased awareness of manufacturing engineering and helps keep manufacturing professionals up-to-date on leading trends and technologies. Headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., SME influences more than half a million manufacturing engineers and executives annually. The society has members in 70 countries and is supported by a network of hundreds of chapters worldwide.

The SME College of Fellows was created to honor members who have made outstanding contributions to the field of manufacturing. A Fellow is recognized by the manufacturing community as a contributor to the social, technological and educational aspects of the profession. This honor can only be earned through years of dedication and service to manufacturing engineering. Mr. Mistretta, along with three others, was chosen from a pool of candidates that includes manufacturing industry leaders from all over the world. This 2006 class joins nearly 250 other SME members, representing various segments of the manufacturing community, who have been elected as Fellows since the program's inception in 1986.

Selection as an SME Fellow by the SME International Awards & Recognition Committee is an accolade to the accomplishments of each of these manufacturing leaders, according to Willy Geary, the 2006 SME president. The 2006 class is representative of the most valuable contributors to the industry and to the society, and this award acknowledges them for their leadership, innovation and dedication to the profession. The selection criterion includes leadership in industry, education, research and development, inventions, publications and service to the profession.