Mr. Jay Douglass is COO of The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute (ARM). Founded at Carnegie Mellon University in January 2017 and now operating as an independent non-profit, ARM won an $80 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to become the leading catalyst of robotics innovation and expertise to accelerate growth in US-based manufacturing and high value careers. Previously Jay worked at the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. His focus was on developing business opportunities for technology development and technology transfer with commercial organizations. He most recently managed the SEI’s business in Europe.  Jay has worked with a wide variety of software development and quality technologies.

Jay's educational background includes a BS in Business Administration from Miami University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Ms. Lisa Masciantonio is the Chief Workforce Officer in the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute. Lisa joined the ARM Institute in May 2017 as the Director of Membership and Outreach. She moved to the position of Chief Workforce Officer in 2019 and she is responsible for driving the Education and Workforce Development vision for ARM in conjunction with the ARM membership and other expert stakeholders. The ARM Institute is a one of 16 Manufacturing USA Institutes. It is a federally funded, public-private partnership with close to 300 consortium members who work together on projects and programs designed to advance the state of robotics technology and workforce education to help U.S. manufacturers grow.

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience as a performance-driven leader with notable success in cultivating and executing business strategies and formulating long-term strategic client relationships. She has proven success in developing business solutions, commercialization of products, technology transfer, and technological initiatives that have supported organizational growth, improved staff productivity, and increased value to many communities of practice. Lisa received a bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University and 2 Master’s degrees from Carnegie Mellon University.

Ms. Robin Fernkas serves as the Deputy Administrator of the Office of Workforce Investment and manages the Division of Strategic Investments for the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) at the U.S. Department of Labor. In this position, she provides leadership in developing programs and policy guidance for ETA’s discretionary investments in skills training and employment programs. This division administers the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training program, H-1B Technical Skills Training grant funds, Ready to Work, Pay for Success, TechHire, and Strengthening Working Families grant initiatives. Before joining this division, she provided leadership in developing policy guidance and technical assistance to the public workforce system on adult and dislocated worker employment and training programs and career pathways funded under the Workforce Investment Act.

Ms. Fernkas brings a wealth of knowledge of workforce development through her work experience with workforce investment system advisory boards at the local, state, and national levels. Prior to joining ETA in 2003, she worked for a private sector consulting firm, DTI Associates, managing projects for both the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education and worked for several Washington, D.C. based Intergovernmental Groups on workforce policy issues. She holds a B.A. in international economics from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Dr. Scott Lucas serves as the Vice President of Aviation, Manufacturing, and Institutional Effectiveness at Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) in Wichita, KS. Dr. Lucas was named Vice President in 2015 and has overseen a variety of career and technical pathways including Robotics, Industrial Automation, Electronics, Predictive Maintenance, and others. During this time, the WSU Tech’s enrollment has climbed to historic highs, they have finished in the top-2 of NC3 certifications for the past three years, lead Kansas in high school CTE Dual credit offerings, and have maintained a 90% placement rate.

He has been with the college since 2003, beginning as a student advisor before transitioning into institutional research. Dr. Lucas is the liaison officer with WSU Tech’s Accrediting Body, the Higher Learning Commission, an executive board member of the Wichita Manufacturing Association, President-Elect for the Kansas Council for Workforce Education, a member of the Regional Manufacturing Council for Technical Education in Wichita, serves on the City of Wichita’s District VI Advisory Board, and is a member of ARM’s Education and Workforce Advisory Committee.