Regional Leaders Emphasize Workforce Partnerships During Shore Leadership Manufacturing Program

Panelists, left to right: Brian Zottarelli, Chief Operations Officer, Dixon Valve; Scott Amsbaugh, President and CEO, LaMotte Company; Nancy LaJoice, Regional CTE Liaison, Upper Shore Regional Council; Brigitte Peters, Senior Business Development Manager, Maryland Department of Commerce; and Jamie Williams, Director, Kent County Economic Development.

Building the next generation of skilled workers requires strong partnerships among educators, employers, workforce organizations, and economic development leaders, a message reinforced during Shore Leadership's recent Manufacturing Program at Dixon Valve's Training Center.

The program, themed "Adaptive, Resilient Leadership – Building People and Teams Able to Face Any Crisis," featured leadership expert Dr. Joe Thomas, a tour of Dixon Valve's manufacturing facility, and a panel discussion focused on manufacturing and workforce development.

Representing the Upper Shore Regional Council (USRC), Nancy LaJoice, Regional Career & Technical Education (CTE) Liaison, joined Jamie Williams, Director of Kent County Economic Development; Brian Zottarelli, Chief Operations Officer of Dixon Valve; Scott Amsbaugh, President and CEO of LaMotte Company; and Brigitte Peters, Senior Business Development Manager with the Maryland Department of Commerce, for a discussion on building and sustaining the region's workforce.

Williams highlighted manufacturing's importance to Kent County, noting the industry supports nearly 900 jobs, generates more than $173 million in annual Gross Regional Product, and offers average annual earnings exceeding $83,000, underscoring the need to develop a strong local workforce.

 LaJoice emphasized that preparing tomorrow's workforce requires collaboration among schools, employers, community colleges, workforce organizations, and economic development partners. She encouraged businesses to engage with students through classroom presentations, workplace tours, job shadowing, mock interviews, internships, apprenticeships, and mentoring opportunities.

 As part of these efforts, the Upper Shore Regional Council recently launched Project Bright Future (www.ProjectBrightFuture.org), a regional career exploration website connecting students, parents, educators, and employers with local career pathways and workforce resources across Kent, Queen Anne's, and Cecil counties. 

"Students can't pursue careers they don't know exist," said LaJoice. "Every employer has something valuable to offer. Even small investments of time can help students discover rewarding careers while strengthening our future workforce."

The panelists agreed that developing the next generation of skilled workers requires collaboration. By strengthening partnerships among educators, employers, workforce organizations, and economic development professionals, the Upper Shore is helping students discover rewarding careers while meeting the workforce needs of local businesses.

The Shore Leadership Class of 2026 includes business, nonprofit, and government professionals from across Maryland's Eastern Shore who are committed to strengthening regional leadership and collaboration.