BIO:

Omar is the founder of Inside the Beltway, a nonpartisan consulting and lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. With over 25 years of experience, he advises clients on trade, taxes, regulations, supply chains, and federal funding opportunities. He began his career in 1995 at the Office of Management and Budget and later worked at a major law firm before launching his own firm. Omar represents manufacturers, defense firms, and nonprofits before Congress and federal agencies. He holds a degree in Political Science and International Affairs from George Washington University.

BIO:

Caitlin is a senior principal at Bracewell LLP’s Policy Resolution Group, where she leads strategic communications for clients in manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and national security. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in message development, advocacy strategy, and digital brand management. Caitlin co-hosts The Lobby Shop podcast and regularly trains executives in media and spokesperson skills. She also serves as president of the board for Calvary Women’s Services, a D.C. nonprofit supporting women experiencing homelessness. A 2009 graduate of Marquette University, she was named the Diederich College of Communication’s Young Alumna of the Year in 2025.

BIO:

Jenny is an invigorating speaker and coach with a bold, funny style. An accomplished performance Improviser, instructional designer, and candid-yet-kind facilitator, she draws out courage and playfulness in her audiences and students. She delights in guiding people to break free of patterns that hold them back and liberate the powerful leader within.

Jenny has 15+ years of executive coaching and facilitation experience in workplaces, service agencies, and schools. Jenny’s work background includes sales, distribution, and account management. She has been a certified coach since 2007, bringing extensive knowledge about Emotional Intelligence, DiSC®, the ROI Methodology, and Adaptability AQai to help clients create real impact through their efforts.

BIO:

Mike is a Principal at EBITDA Growth Systems and co-host of the podcast Making Business Profitable. With over 30 years of senior executive experience spanning public companies and tech startups, he specializes in helping founder-led manufacturing businesses scale profitably and increase their enterprise value. Mike is the author of Scaling to Exit and a frequent speaker on topics like strategic planning, leadership, and operational efficiency. He holds a JD from the University of Maryland School of Law, an MBA in Finance from Hood College, and a BA in English from the University of Rochester. His mission is to transform small and mid-sized manufacturers into thriving, high-value enterprises.

BIO:

Andrea Sorensen is an economist at US Bank, based in Minneapolis. She works on the development and forecast of the U.S. Bank economic outlook, and she conducts research on a variety of topics related to the U.S. macroeconomic outlook. Prior to joining U.S. Bank in March of 2024, Andrea worked in academia as an Assistant Professor of Economics. She taught a variety of economics courses and published research in academic journals. Andrea holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Indiana University, an M.A. in Economics from Duke University, and a B.A. in mathematics from Barnard College.

BIO:

Jenny Stupica is the Workforce Development Director at the National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA), with over 20 years of experience in human resources and manufacturing workforce development. She played a key role in creating a Manufacturing Sector Partnership in Greater Akron, Ohio, focused on talent pipelines, training, and inclusive hiring practices. Jenny leads NTMA workforce initiatives like NTMA-U, Workforce Wins, and pre-apprenticeship programs, while also contributing to national advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stetson University. Jenny serves on the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), helping shape industry standards and credentialing.

BIO:

Dave Capkovitz is a founding principal of EBITDA Growth Systems, where he leverages over 30 years of manufacturing leadership to help shops drive profitability and operational excellence. With a deep understanding of financial strategy, workforce development, and process improvement, Dave has become a trusted advisor to precision manufacturers across the country. His hands-on experience—from the shop floor to the executive suite—shapes his practical, results-driven approach. Passionate about helping business owners build sustainable growth, Dave is known for simplifying the complex and turning vision into action.

BIO:

Jacob Horne is the Chief Security Evangelist at Summit 7, specializing in DFARS, NIST, and CMMC compliance for contractors in the Defense Industrial Base . With over 18 years of experience in offensive and defensive cybersecurity operations, he began his career as an NSA intelligence analyst and U.S. Navy cryptologic technician . As a civilian, Jacob has led Governance, Risk, and Compliance teams at AT&T, Northrop Grumman, and the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership . He has developed and taught cybersecurity training programs for organizations including the NSA National Cryptologic School, UCLA, and UC Irvine . Jacob holds a master’s degree in cybersecurity risk and strategy from NYU and an MBA from the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business .

BIO:

Caleb Townsend is the Co-Founder and Chief Referral Officer at FACTUR, a sales and marketing agency focused on helping B2B manufacturers grow through targeted lead generation and relationship-based strategies. With a background in sales and early exposure to manufacturing through his father’s engineering career, Caleb launched FACTUR in 2016 to address the unique challenges industrial companies face in building strong sales pipelines. He is a passionate advocate for professional networking and leads FACTUR from Carmel, Indiana, delivering innovative solutions that empower manufacturers to thrive.

BIO:

Frank Burch is the President of Southern Machine Works, Inc., a precision manufacturing company known for delivering high-quality, close-tolerance components for the aerospace, defense, and commercial industries. With decades of hands-on experience and leadership in the machining world, Frank is committed to advancing American manufacturing through innovation, workforce development, and operational excellence. Under his guidance, Southern Machine Works has grown its reputation as a trusted supplier and industry leader.

BIO:

Scott Covert (retired) served as the Training Coordinator for Penn United Technologies, Inc., and brings over 30 years of hands-on experience in precision machining and manufacturing education. He began his career at Penn United in 1990 as a Journeyman Precision Tool Grinder, specializing in surface and contour grinding, and later advanced to lead the Precision Assembly department—driving improvements in Lean Manufacturing, assembly processes, and team development.

In his current role, Scott oversees the design and delivery of industry-focused training programs both in-house and for external partners. He also represents Penn United in community and educational outreach, sharing his passion for manufacturing at high schools and consortium events. Scott holds an Associate’s Degree in Computer-Aided Machining Technology and CNC Programming certificates from Butler County Community College. He’s also a certified instructor for the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council’s CPT program and in forklift safety.

Known for his enthusiastic teaching style and deep expertise in metalworking, Scott embodies Penn United’s commitment to precision, continuous learning, and workforce growth.