Sylvia Wetzel joins Board of Manufacturing Skill Standards Council

The MSSC today announced that Sylvia Salazar Wetzel has joined its Board of Directors. Wetzel is chief learning officer for Bison Gear and Engineering Corp., a manufacturer of electric motors, gear motors and reducers located in St. Charles, Illinois.

“Ms. Wetzel’s extensive accomplishments and experience with workforce skill development and industry certifications, including MSSC, will make her a major contributor to the MSSC Board,” said Leo Reddy, MSSC Chairman and CEO.

“My commitment to education and manufacturing has spanned over 35 years. It is my passion on a local and National level to make sure that those responsible for workforce training understand the many career paths and credential(s) that are obtainable in order for individuals to succeed,” said Wetzel. “I look forward to participating in the MSSC Board efforts to make both the CPT and CLT credentials the most recognized credentials in our industry.”

Wetzel is a passionate advocate of manufacturing and a proven leader in manufacturing skills education. She is a National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Manufacturing Institute 2014 STEP Award recipient, honoring women leaders in manufacturing. Wetzel was a founding member of MI’s Women in Manufacturing initiative. She was selected by the National Association of Women in Business Owners and the Business Ledger as one of the 2007 “Influential Women in Business” award.

She was an influential leader on a state-wide Science-Engineering-Math-Technology (STEM) manufacturing program of study in Illinois. She played a key role in Bison’s selection by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the 2007 Business Leadership Award for its significant contribution to the State’s workforce and economic development. In 2011, she was recognized by WorkForce Chicago for Bison’s commitment to exemplary learning and development. She serves as Public Policy representative for Bison in Washington DC.

She serves with several organizations, including the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA), the Manufacturing Alliance (MAPI), Business Leaders United Steering Committee, and Board of Directors for Elgin Community College Educational Foundation and the River Valley Workforce Investment Agency. Wetzel speaks fluent Spanish and is involved in mentoring adults to embrace English as a second language.