Chris Mathews Appointed to Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board
July 25, 2022G. Christopher (Chris) Mathews has been named to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Advisory Board of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Mathews is the chairman of National Custom Hollow Metal Doors & Frames of Little Rock and Maple Leaf Awning & Canvas of Sherwood.
He was appointed to the advisory board for a three-year term by U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Laurie Locascio, Ph.D.
The MEP/NIST Advisory Board is composed of 14 members, representing all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, who are responsible for counseling the director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
“With Arkansas representing one of thirteen member positions, we have the opportunity to make a positive impact for our state,” said Mathews. “Furthermore, it is recognition of the significance that manufacturing represents in Arkansas, the commitment our state makes to funding and supporting manufacturing at the state and local levels, the excellence of Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions (AMS), and the willingness and dedication of our manufacturing employers to serve.”
As an advisory board member, Mathews will provide advice on the activities, plans and policies of the Manufacturing Extension Program to the NIST director, and will give insights on plans and assessments of program performance.
“In this new role, I hope to push relentlessly for manufacturing skills-based learning opportunities from high school to trade schools, apprenticeships, union halls, junior college and four-year degree programs, and to instill pride in building things here in America,” Mathews said.
Mathews is currently a member of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Science and Technology Board of Directors, serving on the Commercialization Committee. Mathews recently served on the advisory board for Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions, the MEP center for Arkansas. He previously served on the Little Rock Port Authority Board of Directors from 2006-2016, serving as chairman from 2014-2016.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Ill.
