Made in America with Ari Santiago

Ari Santiago
  • 4.6 (50)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Each week Ari interviews a thriving manufacturing leader and discovers the secrets to their success. He uncovers each guests' 'manufacturing story' - their path into and through the industry, Ari digs into successes and best practices of each company and leader, as well as challenges and discoveries, to help listeners and guests learn from each other. Discover the strategies these great leaders have used to start, develop, and grow their business - workforce development, leadership, sales/marketing, investments, technology, mergers, workplace culture and so much more! Ari Santiago is the CEO of CompassMSP a Technology Managed Service Provider with offices up and down the eastern seaboard and into the Midwest. He has a passion for the manufacturing industry and the incredible impact it makes on our economy. Do you know someone who would be a great guest or have a topic you'd really like to learn about? Let us know! Reach out to our podcast producer at contactus@compassmsp.com

  1. JUL 21

    Building Connecticut’s Manufacturing Future: A Bold Strategy for Innovation, Talent, and Growth

    Host Ari Santiago welcomes back Connecticut’s Chief Manufacturing Officer*, Paul Lavoie, for his fourth appearance and a deep dive into the newly updated statewide manufacturing strategic plan. The conversation unpacks the Office of Manufacturing’s clear focus on four pillars—developing talent, building sustainable companies, driving innovation, and improving collaboration—all in service of two bold goals: doubling manufacturing’s share of state GDP to 20% by 2030, and achieving full employment within the sector.   Lavoie candidly addresses the visibility gap still present across Connecticut’s 4,800 manufacturers and explains the state's evolving role—not to dictate solutions, but to enable, coordinate, and amplify existing efforts across the ecosystem. He outlines practical initiatives, such as the CONNEX Marketplace, workforce pipeline development from “K to Gray,” and sector-specific collaboration efforts that include strategic partnerships with NASA, Airbus, and major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).   Key Points: Four Strategic Focus Areas: Talent development, sustainable business growth, innovation, and sector-wide collaboration. Two Ambitious Goals: Reach 20% of Connecticut’s GDP from manufacturing and achieve full employment in the sector by 2030. Innovation Engine: Focus on digital transformation, additive manufacturing, automation, and AI—especially through CT’s CCAT and a potential AI manufacturing institute. Workforce Pipeline: Campaigns like “I Got It Made” and efforts to meet the next generation where they are, paired with a push for more “workforce housing.” Public-Private Partnership Model: Lavoie emphasizes building long-term capacity in the nonprofit sector over expanding government bureaucracy.   This episode is both a candid assessment of current challenges and an energizing vision for how Connecticut can lead the country in advanced manufacturing.  * At the time of this podcast recording and podcast publication, Paul Lavoie continues to be CT's Chief Manufacturing Officer. Paul has accepted a position at the University of New Haven starting in July 2025. For any questions on the plan after Paul leaves this position, please direct requests to the CT Office of Manufacturing.    CT Office of Manufacturing: https://manufacturing.ct.gov/?language=en_US   CT Office of Manufacturing: https://manufacturing.ct.gov/?language=en_US CONNEX Marketplace: https://manufacturing.ct.gov/connex?language=en_US Paul Lavoie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulslavoie/ CompassMSP/Made in America: https://madeinamerica.compassmsp.com/  https://blog.compassmsp.com/  https://compassmsp.com/about

    44 min

  2. JUN 30

    Evolving a Legacy: How Jill Mayer is Future-Proofing Bead Industries with Culture, EOS, and Innovation

    In this insightful episode of Made in America, Jill Mayer, CEO of Bead Industries, shares how she's steering a fifth-generation, 111-year-old company into the future. From embracing EOS to bring structure and accountability, to leveraging the Culture Index for smarter hiring, Mayer breaks down the systems and mindsets that are helping Bead evolve beyond legacy thinking. Highlights You Won’t Want to Miss: How EOS created a cadence for strategic planning and execution Why the Culture Index helped her build better teams with complementary strengths What it really takes to retain young talent in manufacturing today How transparency and autonomy drive engagement across generations The bold steps Bead is taking toward innovation—including expansion into India Jill’s practical, candid approach offers valuable lessons for leaders balancing tradition with transformation. Whether you’re scaling a startup or modernizing a century-old business, this conversation is packed with takeaways. Bead Industries: https://beadelectronics.com/ Jill Mayer - LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbmayer/ CompassMSP/Made in America: https://madeinamerica.compassmsp.com/ https://blog.compassmsp.com/ https://compassmsp.com/about Ari Santiago's LinkedIn CompassMSP Website CompassMSP LinkedIn Made in America Podcast Facebook Made in America Podcast LinkedIn Made in America Podcast YouTube Podcast produced by Miceli Productions.

    50 min

  3. JUN 2

    Boosting Sales with Effective Chat Solutions: Insights from Nelson Bruton, Manufacturing Chats

    In this Made in America podcast episode, Nelson Bruton, President of Manufacturing Chats, shares insights on how manufacturers can boost their sales and business growth through practical, effective communication tools like live chat. The discussion covers the evolution of Manufacturing Chats from a full-service digital marketing agency to a specialized provider of live chat solutions tailored for industrial manufacturers. Nelson emphasizes the importance of real-time customer engagement, drawing parallels between live chat and trade show interactions. He also explores the potential of AI in chat services while highlighting the continued need for human interaction in complex sales environments. This episode is a valuable resource for manufacturers looking to enhance their sales strategies and improve customer engagement.  Youtube: https://youtu.be/SIXhUjWBpA4 Podcast Website: https://madeinamerica.compassmsp.com/nelson-bruton-manufacturing-chats Nelson Bruton's LinkedIn Manufacturing Chats Website  Manufacturing Chats LinkedIn Ari Santiago's LinkedIn CompassMSP Website CompassMSP LinkedIn Made in America Podcast Facebook Made in America Podcast LinkedIn Made in America Podcast YouTube Podcast produced by Miceli Productions.

    38 min

  4. MAR 17

    MiA Ep 238 Grant Branch III: Manufacturing as the Backbone of America

    In this week's Made in America episode, Grant Branch III, CEO of the Kamflex Corporation, shares how the company offers more than just conveyors—they provide complete solutions for their customers by integrating robotics, conveyors, and data analytics.   Grant explains how being a system integrator allows them to build a vertically integrated system that delivers the full package, solving complex challenges for industries that rely on precision and efficiency.   Learn more here: Youtube link: https://youtu.be/fh2Agjoaa9k Podcast page: https://madeinamerica.compassmsp.com/grant-branch-iii-camflex   #MadeInAmerica #SystemIntegration #Innovation #AmericanManufacturing #Robotics #DataAnalytics

    43 min

  5. MAR 3

    MiA Ep 237 Simple Ways for Manufacturers to Improve Their Bottom Line with Jeff Rossi, CBIZ

    This episode is packed with tips on how manufacturers can improve their bottom lines. From analyzing inventory management, to tax incentives, M&A opportunities, R&D credits and grant opportunities, you don't want to miss this episode! https://madeinamerica.compassmsp.com/ https://blog.compassmsp.com/ https://compassmsp.com/about

    37 min

  6. FEB 3

    Adam Rodrigues, Vice President of FORGE: Connecting Hard Tech CT Product Innovators and Manufacturers with Adam Rodrigues

    In our newest Made in America episode, Ari sits down with Adam Rodrigues, Vice President of FORGE, to discuss hard tech innovation and startup success. With only 3% of hard tech startups making it to market, FORGE is helping founders overcome challenges through funding, education, and manufacturing connections.

    41 min

  7. JAN 20

    Penmar Industries: More Than a Label Manufacturer

    In our newest Made in America episode, Ari sat down with Ed Rodríguez, President and CEO of Penmar Industries. Discover his thoughts on leadership, the power of patience, and how Penmar is making waves in American manufacturing with labels and tapping into technology.

    39 min

  8. JAN 6

    Made In America: Changing Lives with Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

    In this episode of Made in America, we’re joined by Mike Calorossi, VP of Manufacturing Operations at MannKind Corporation, to discuss the transformative power of pharmaceutical manufacturing. From recognizing the value of diverse teams to always staying a step ahead in operations, Mike shares lessons that have shaped his leadership philosophy and career success. Tune in to hear why staying proactive and playing to your team’s strengths is a “superpower” in today’s fast-paced manufacturing world. https://madeinamerica.compassmsp.com/  https://blog.compassmsp.com/  https://compassmsp.com/about

    47 min
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4.6
out of 5
50 Ratings

About

Each week Ari interviews a thriving manufacturing leader and discovers the secrets to their success. He uncovers each guests' 'manufacturing story' - their path into and through the industry, Ari digs into successes and best practices of each company and leader, as well as challenges and discoveries, to help listeners and guests learn from each other. Discover the strategies these great leaders have used to start, develop, and grow their business - workforce development, leadership, sales/marketing, investments, technology, mergers, workplace culture and so much more! Ari Santiago is the CEO of CompassMSP a Technology Managed Service Provider with offices up and down the eastern seaboard and into the Midwest. He has a passion for the manufacturing industry and the incredible impact it makes on our economy. Do you know someone who would be a great guest or have a topic you'd really like to learn about? Let us know! Reach out to our podcast producer at contactus@compassmsp.com

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