FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2023
Media Contact:
Zoraida Velasco
FloridaMakes
zoraida.velasco@floridamakes.com
Prestigious Bob Provitola Manufacturing Leadership Award Acknowledges Outstanding Achievement
ORLANDO, FL — FloridaMakes announced Roy Sweatman, the President of Southern Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. as the recipient of the prestigious Bob Provitola Manufacturing Leadership Award during the Annual MakeMore Manufacturing Summit on October 25 and 26. This award recognizes exemplary manufacturing leadership within the state of Florida.
Named in honor of the late Bob Provitola, Division Vice President for Mitsubishi Power Americas, a FloridaMakes co-founder, the first Chairman of the Board for FloridaMakes, and a valued board member of several other manufacturing-related organizations throughout Florida, this award stands as a testament to his enduring legacy.
Leaders throughout the manufacturing ecosystem in the state were asked to nominate those who exemplified Mr. Provitola’s significant contributions in the areas of advocacy, leadership, mentorship, and volunteerism within the Florida manufacturing sector and beyond.
Roy Sweatman, President at Southern Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. expressed his gratitude for the award: “I am so honored to receive this award in memory of Bob. He left a legacy in Florida’s manufacturing community that we all strive to uphold even if just a small part.”
As a true advocate and leader for Florida’s manufacturing ecosystem, Mr. Sweatman often volunteers to travel to Tallahassee and Washington D.C. to lend his voice in highlighting the benefits and needs of Florida’s manufacturing sector. He does this through his involvement as the Vice Chairman of the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, the Chair of the FloridaMakes Workforce Development Committee of the board, a board member of the Florida Manufacturing and Supply Chain Advocacy Council, Vice President of the Bay Area Manufacturers Association board, a member of the AMSkills Board of Directors, Chair of the Tampa Bay Machinig Apprenticeship, and as the former National Chairman and current President of the Florida West Coast Chapter of the National Tooling & Machining Association.
“Mr. Sweatman’s dedication to the development of skills, improvement of performance, and the success of manufacturing employees is truly exemplary,” said his nominator, Beth Galic, Executive Director of the Bay Area Manufacturers Association.
A successful business owner, Mr. Sweatman’s accomplishments include receiving the Sterling Manufacturing Business Excellence Award in 2017 and being named Tampa Small Business of the Year in 2020. He has introduced hundreds of students to the world of manufacturing by collaborating with local schools. Having started his journey into manufacturing as an apprentice himself, he fully appreciates the value of exposing young generations exposed to this industry. Each year, he graciously opens his facility for tours, welcoming students, teachers, and counselors.
“We are proud of having Roy as a member of Florida’s manufacturing community,” said Kevin Carr, Chief Executive Officer at FloridaMakes. “This is a well-deserved recognition to Roy’s dedication to manufacturing and workforce development in our state.”
As Mr. Sweatman’s dedication and outstanding leadership continue to shape Florida’s manufacturing landscape, this prestigious award is a fitting tribute to his enduring commitment to the industry.
Please visit www.FloridaMakes.com/bob-provitola-award for more information about the Bob Provitola Manufacturing Leadership Award.
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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 being a founding member and first chairman of the FloridaMakes board, Mr. Provitola volunteered his time on the boards of the Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CAME), 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
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