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Bayne Beecher of PGT Innovations Wins Second Annual Bob Provitola Manufacturing Leadership Award
Award recognizes an exemplary manufacturing, volunteer leader in the state of Florida.

ORLANDO, FL — As part of the 2022 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit, FloridaMakes announced Bayne Beecher, Production Control Manager at PGT Innovations, as the second recipient of the Bob Provitola Manufacturing Leadership Award. The award is named in memory of Bob Provitola, Division Vice President for Mitsubishi Power Americas and board member of several manufacturing organizations throughout Florida, including FloridaMakes. 

Leaders throughout the manufacturing ecosystem in Florida were asked to nominate people who exemplified Mr. Provitola’s impact in the areas of advocacy, leadership, mentorship and volunteerism within the Florida manufacturing sector.

“Winning this award is a huge honor,” said Bayne Beecher, Production Control Manager at PGT Innovations. “I know the type of person Bob was and the influence he had on manufacturing in Florida. I will continue to advocate and work for a stronger manufacturing sector in Florida, because I believe the career opportunities that exist in manufacturing can help improve lives. And a stronger manufacturing sector in Florida, in general, will positively impact our state’s economy and future. Winning this award would not be possible without the support from my colleagues at PGT Innovations, the FloridaMakes team and the support I receive from my family.”

Mr. Beecher was nominated for the award by Rob Harris, Executive Director for the Sarasota-Manatee Area Manufacturers Association (SAMA) and the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA).

“I nominated Bayne because he is a significant advocate for Florida manufacturing, especially here in Southwest Florida,” said Mr. Harris. “He demonstrates all of the qualities that are expected from someone who wins this award. His level of involvement is second to none."

Among his accomplishments, Mr. Beecher has introduced hundreds of students to manufacturing by working with local schools in Southwest Florida. He has been an advocate for apprenticeship programs, including contributing to the development of apprenticeship programs and speaking in venues across the state about the benefits of apprenticeships to Florida’s labor force. Mr. Beecher is Vice Chair of the FloridaMakes Board of Directors, member of the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors and President of the SAMA Board of Directors.

“I congratulate Bayne on this outstanding achievement,” said Kevin Carr, CEO for FloridaMakes. “The selection committee had a very difficult job, given the number of qualified nominees. Bayne’s advocacy and work within Florida’s manufacturing sector made him a perfect candidate to win this award that carries on Bob’s legacy.”

Please visit www.FloridaMakes.com/bob-provitola-award for more information about the Bob Provitola Manufacturing Leadership Award and 2023 nominations. 


About Bob Provitola
As the Division Vice President for Mitsubishi Power Americas, Bob Provitola was key in locating their facilities to the Orlando and Lake Mary areas. In this position, Mr. Provitola contributed to many state and local educational and economic development initiatives directed at improving our manufacturing economy and creating high-wage, high-skills jobs. In addition to serving on the FloridaMakes board, Mr. Provitola volunteered his time on the boards of the Center for Manufacturing Excellence, the Manufacturers Association of Central Florida (MACF), and the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE) among others.

About FloridaMakes
FloridaMakes is a statewide, industry-led, public-private partnership operated by an alliance of Florida's regional manufacturers associations with the sole mission of strengthening and advancing Florida’s economy by improving the competitiveness, productivity and technological performance of its manufacturing sector, with an emphasis on small and medium-sized firms. It accomplishes this by providing services focused on three principle value streams: technology adoption, talent development, and business growth. FloridaMakes is the representative of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network in the state of Florida, a program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information about FloridaMakes, please visit FloridaMakes.com

Media Contact: 
Doug Wise
FloridaMakes
Doug.Wise@floridamakes.com
(727) 743-5009

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