Lone Star State of Manufacturing - Workforce Panel and College Tour

David Ellis
Assistant Director, Allen Economic Development Corporation

Contact David: dellis@allenedc.com

As the assistant director, David Ellis leads programs to attract and retain corporate investment and jobs to Allen. Previously, he was a vice president at Site Selection Group where he supported its industrial, economic development and incentive practices. He has also worked for Plano Economic Development and has experience with Angelou Economics, an economic development consulting firm.

David has a bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD).

John Guzik
Partner, The Franklin Partnership, LLC

John Guzik is a founding partner of The Franklin Partnership, LLC, the bipartisan Washington, D.C.-based government relations firm that represents PMA’s interests before Congress and the Administration.

John has nearly 30 years of Capitol Hill and campaign experience. Prior to The Franklin Partnership, John served as the chief of staff for Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp; the deputy executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, where he was the liaison with the House Republican Leadership; and a top political strategist and fundraiser for the former House Policy Committee Chairman.

Jan Jungmann
Business Retention and Expansion Manager, Allen Economic Development Corporation

Contact Jan: jjungmann@allenedc.com

As business retention and expansion manager, Jan Jungmann promotes the Allen EDC’s mantra, “A Great Place to Live, Work & Play” by building relationships with current and future businesses. Jan’s background is in education, nonprofit and community engagement. She previously was a teacher at Lovejoy ISD, and she loves to make connections and serve the community by volunteering.

Jan earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Abilene Christian University and her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University.

Connie King
Workforce Development Director, Precision Metalforming Association

Contact Connie: cking@pma.org

Prior to joining PMA in May 2022, Connie King served as the director of professional development for Baldwin Wallace University, where she created and delivered original, competency-based learning programs for external organizations and university employees. She previously worked for the University of Akron as a manager of business solutions, where she developed and implemented internal and external organizational development programs, and created community, industry-based consortiums for assessing and satisfying skills demands. Prior to her higher education career, Connie worked in a variety of corporate and entrepreneurial positions which included expertise in marketing, trade show/events management, publishing, and training and development. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business from Baldwin-Wallace College and an MBA from the University of Akron.

David Klotz
President, Precision Metalforming Association

Contact David: dklotz@pma.org

David Klotz became president of PMA in February 2019. Prior to that, he was president and executive vice president of sales and marketing for Tebis America, a developer of CAD and CAM software for the tool, die and mold manufacturing industries. He also previously served as senior manager of the Plex Automotive & Industrial Mid-Market sales team for eight years, and was a manager at Dallas Industries, Inc., for 12 years.

As a metalforming industry professional, Klotz has served as a member of PMA’s Board of Directors, a member of the Executive Committee, and as chair and treasurer of the PMA East Michigan District. He also served as chair of PMA’s Tool & Die Division, was a founding member of PMA’s Next Generation networking group, and has been actively engaged in PMA’s programs and services in many other capacities.

John Kuznar
Apprenticeship & Training Representative, U.S. DOL/ETA–OA, Region 4 - Dallas Field Office of Apprentic

Contact John: kuznar.john.a@dol.gov

John is currently an Apprenticeship & Training Representative in the Dallas Field Office of Apprenticeship. 
He was previously a Performance & Labor Market Information (LMI) program analyst, and Federal Project Officer for multiple LMI & Workforce Data Quality Initiative grants, for the Employment & Training Administration’s Regional office in Dallas, Texas.  He joined the Department of Labor in October, 2014. 
Before that, he spent more than five years with Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas as the Employer Services Manager, responsible for coordination and delivery of all employer services & initiatives in Dallas County, as well as other grants, special projects, and employer incentives impacting the more than 67,000 Dallas area employers & businesses. 
Prior to that, John worked as Employment Services Supervisor and Employer Account Representative for Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County.  Earlier in his career, he spent a number of years as a licensed advisor in the financial services & business development sectors, and also served 10 years active-duty as an Administrative & Personnel officer in the U.S. Air Force.
John earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from West Virginia University, and holds several Senior Professional Human Resources certifications.

Brenden Mesch
Provost, Collin College

Contact Brenden: bmesch@collin.edu

Dr. Brenden Mesch serves as an interim provost at Collin College supporting the Technical Campus in Allen and the Courtyard Center in Plano. He has a passion for supporting students in pursuing their future career goals. More than 23 years ago he started teaching at Collin College as an adjunct faculty member. It was in this first role with Collin that he caught the teaching bug that expanded over the years to roles in administration. He has been a passionate advocate of workforce education during his career in higher education. His research on how industry employment while attending college reinforces career goals and enhances career persistence has been integrated into many educational initiatives. Brenden returned to Collin College in 2020 as the dean of academic affairs and workforce based out of the Frisco campus but supporting district-wide programs in information technology, cybersecurity, business, criminal justice, and media arts. The return to Collin College followed roles at other colleges where he served as a director, associate dean, dean, and campus president.

Phedra Redifer
Executive Director, North Central Texas Council of Governments

Contact Phedra's office: tjohnson@dfwjobs.com

Phedra Redifer is the executive director of workforce solutions for North Central Texas. She is an accomplished executive with more than 20 years of local government, special purpose district and public/private-sector expertise. Previously, Phedra served with the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma, WA, for 15 years, where she most recently held the position of regional parks and attractions deputy director. Prior to that, she was an event manager for the Washington Mutual Leadership Center At Cedarbrook; special events manager for the City of Dallas, TX; and director of festival events and merchandising for Seafair. Phedra holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and German from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. She was also a Senator J. William Fulbright Scholar at the University of Regensburg in Germany, and she is a Certified Parks & Recreation Professional.

Lance Thrailkill
CEO, All Metals Fabricating

Lance is the third-generation owner of All Metals Fabricating, a contract manufacturer specializing in sheet metal fabricating, welding, machining, powder coating, and electro-mechanical assembly.

After earning his MBA in Accounting from SMU in 2008, Lance joined All Metals as first its Controller and promoting to its CFO in 2010. Lance has actively contributed to and learned all aspects of the business and currently serves as All Metals’ CEO since 2018. He has been identified as an industry trendsetter by ECI, JobBOSS and IndustryWeek for embracing and implementing next generation advancements in technology, automation, and the adoption of Industry 4.0 within his organization. All Metals was featured in a 2022 episode of Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid, highlighting companies who are pushing the limits of technology and automation and raising the standard of their industries.

Lance is a true servant leader for his company and his community. He believes in people first and that these relationships and partnerships are what evolve businesses and lead to excellence in customer service. In 2019, IndustryWeek announced All Metals the winner of their “Best Plant Award” recognizing the most excellent manufacturing companies in the United States. Additionally, CorporateLiveWire recognized All Metals as one of their 2022 “Manufacturing Employers of the Year”.

Mosty recently, Lance was named one of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2022 40 Under 40 honorees. For those that know Lance, this speaks to his tenacious drive, his huge heart, and his genuine servant leadership style.