SEL Senior Director of Vertical Integration Honored by National Association of Manufacturers

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) Senior Director of Vertical Integration Jessi Hall was named a 2023 Women MAKE Awards Honoree. This recognition is presented by The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers.

The Women MAKE Awards are presented annually to women making significant contributions in manufacturing. Honorees are recognized for their leadership, innovation and commitment to supporting the next generation of manufacturers and promoting inclusion. These awards are part of the Institute’s Women MAKE America Initiative which focuses on closing the gender gap within the manufacturing industry.

“The biggest challenge facing manufacturers continues to be the growing workforce crisis, and women are the industry’s largest talent opportunity; increasing the percentage of women in the industry by just six points would fill all open jobs in the sector today,” The Manufacturing Institute President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee said in a press release.

Hall joined SEL in 2011 as a mechanical engineer. Today, she spearheads vertical integration strategy development and leads a 150-person team. Her work helped identify the need for SEL’s new printed circuit board facility in Moscow, Idaho. During the factory’s two-year development period, Hall oversaw the establishment of quality equipment and suppliers, thorough manufacturing processes, methods for reducing environmental impact and presentations to educate the community on printed circuit board manufacturing. She will continue to be a key member of the SEL Moscow team moving forward.

In addition to the important work Hall does in the Manufacturing division, she’s passionate about supporting the next generation of engineers, scientists and manufacturers. She’s a founding member of the SEL Women in STEM group, which offers employees networking, mentoring and career growth opportunities. Hall serves on advisory boards for Washington State University’s Mechanical & Materials Engineering program and Gonzaga University’s Operation Management program. In addition, she’s a school board member for Steptoe School District and plays an active role in SEL’s K-12 Education Outreach program.

“Jessi’s dedication to excellence, innovation and inclusivity has been instrumental in driving SEL’s success,” said CEO Dave Whitehead. “We’re thrilled to see her receive this well-deserved recognition.”

Hall is one of 100 honorees and 30 emerging leaders that will be recognized by The Manufacturing Institute in Washington, D.C., in April. The two-day event will include training sessions, panel discussions and networking opportunities and will conclude with a gala celebrating the winners.

“I’ve always loved solving tough problems and learning how things work,” said Hall. “The manufacturing industry provides endless opportunities for doing just that. I can’t imagine more rewarding work, and to be recognized by the National Association of Manufacturers in an industry I’m so excited about is a true honor!”

To learn more, visit: https://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/press-releases/women-make-awards-to-honor-130-women-for-excellence-in-manufacturing/