SMRP will host a panel discussion focusing on workforce development on Wednesday, June 26 at 4 p.m. Past SMRP Chair, Larry Hoing, CMRP, CMRT, will facilitate the discussion along with panelists from Nissan, the Wonderful Company and Sonoco Products.

Moderator: Larry Hoing, CMRP, CMRT, Senior Manager of Asset Care, Wells Enterprises Inc.

Larry Hoing is a Past Chair of SMRP and has been actively involved in the society since 2003. Hoing currently serves as the head of the SMRP Government Relations task force on Workforce Development. In the past, Hoing has also served as the Board Chair for SMRP’s Certification Organizations (SMRPCO) as well as the Chair for the SMRPCO advisory council. Hoing’s background in reliability originated in the US Navy. He obtained his Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) certification in 2005, and his Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT) certification in 2014. He recently received his business degree from Bellevue University. For the past 34 years he has worked for Wells Enterprises Inc. (AKA) Blue Bunny Ice Cream. Currently, Hoing is the Sr. Manager of Asset Care at Wells, and has been leading Wells Reliability Journey and managing our maintenance management systems for the past 18 years.

Panelist: Eric Cain, Supervisor, Nissan North America

Eric Cain has over 21 years of maintenance experience. He studied Basic Electricity for two years while attending Secondary School at the Earnest Pruett Center of Technology in Hollywood, Alabama and a two-year diploma in Industrial Electricity from J.F. Drake Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama. Cain started working for Nissan North America in March of 2001. In 18 years of employment with Nissan, Cain has worked as a Machining Maintenance Technician, a Maintenance Planner, a Maintenance Supervisor/Scheduler, and currently holds the role of Supervisor/Trainer.

Panelist: Andrea White, Director of the Sonoco Performance System, Sonoco Products Company

Andrea White is currently the Director of the Sonoco Performance System for Sonoco Products Company in Hartsville, SC.  She started her career with Sonoco in 2006 as a Reliability Engineer which led to opportunities in divisional Maintenance Excellence roles and Global Maintenance Excellence Manager.  Her previous 10-year career with Milliken & Co. gave her valuable experience in TPM, lean, continuous improvement and quality systems that led to her current assignment in Sonoco. Andrea’s current role has provided the platform to dive into Automation and Maintenance Hiring & Retention programs such as Youth and Professional Apprenticeships.  She is currently working with local high schools and technical schools to build programs that will help drive student interest in manufacturing.

Panelist: George Simonoff, CMRP, The Wonderful Company

George Simonoff, CMRP, has over nineteen years’ experience in engineering. After graduating from Youngstown State University with a BE in Mechanical Engineering, Simonoff worked for companies such as Owens Corning and Guardian Industries. He currently works as the Senior Director of Maintenance and Reliability at The Wonderful Company.