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CEO ’s appointment to NIST is opportunity for Valley
YOUNGSTOWN
A Youngstown businessman has the opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the country.
Mike Garvey, CEO of Youngstown-based manufacturing company M-7 Technologies, was appointed to the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology, or VCAT, for a three-year term for the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Founded in 1901, NIST is one of the nation’s oldest physical science laboratories.
“It’s the gold standard in the world,” Garvey said.
The committee includes members from several well-known companies such as General Electric, Qualcomm Technologies Inc. and the Intel Corp.
M-7 Technologies is a member of the Youngstown Business Incubator, and America Makes, formerly the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, which are both based in downtown Youngstown.
“I think it demonstrates the significance of America Makes,” Garvey said.
Garvey will be working within the NIST to do research for the NFL, said John York, chairman and owner of the San Francisco 49ers.
“Mike and I have been friends for more than a few years, and we continue to find new areas of interest in our work, philanthropy and entertainment,” York said in a statement. “The NFL is partnering with GE, Under Armour and NIST to find researchers exploring new materials to absorb or dissipate forces in football-related impacts.
“The new materials will be evaluated and tested in the NIST laboratories, and the results will be provided to the researchers for design improvements. It will be a pleasure to work with Mike Garvey in this pursuit to make the NFL safer for our players,” the York statement said.
Community officials congratulated Garvey on his appointment.
“Mike Garvey is one of the [Mahoning] Valley’s great leaders, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology is lucky to have him on their advisory committee,” U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, said in a statement.
Ralph Resnick, founding director of America Makes, said in a statement that Garvey would be an “insightful and valuable addition” to the committee.
Jim Cossler, CEO of YBI, said Garvey is in a position to try and bring projects to the Valley. “That’s what I think is so huge about this appointment,” he said.